Shepreth Wildlife Park, UK

Green Tourism Business Scheme

Shepreth Animal Sanctuary

1979

Shepreth Wildlife Park began as a refuge & release centre for injured and unwanted British wildlife

Shepreth Animal Sanctuary

Shepreth Wildlife Park

Foxes would have to fend for themselves now in Cambridge …

2001

Shepreth Wildlife Park

10 Year Development Plan

2001 - 2011

From Rescue Centre to Wildlife Park

2011 - 2021From Wildlife Park to conservation focused attraction

Shepreth Wildlife Park

Phase 1

Setting ‘green’ targets

Seeking accreditation

GTBS

GT Business Scheme

National sustainable tourism certification scheme

Only national scheme to be independently validated by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT)

On behalf of VisitEngland, VisitWales & the N. Ireland Tourist Board, endorsed by VisitScotland & Failte Ireland

Businesses joining Green Tourism are assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria

GT Business Scheme

Good practice in all areas. Improved efficiency, review of all activities undertaken or influenced by the business & full legal compliance

Excellent practice in all areas. Significant achievements to improve efficiency, purchase responsibly, involve customers, contribute to local economy, culture and community.

Outstanding and exemplary best practice in all areas. Thorough and focused approach to sustainability and providing a quality and enhanced experience for all stakeholders. 

GT Business MembersScotland 812

South West 402

South East 158

North West 171

North East 84

West Midlands 62

East England 113

East Midlands 58

Yorkshire 101

London 145

Wales 112

Channel Islands 18

Northern Ireland 17

Ireland 23

Isle of Man 3

Canada 28

Total 2307

GT Business Members

GTBS Structure

Pre-Inspection Audit

Criteria requirements

Current awarding level

Suggested improvement areas

Shepreth 2011

• 70K Visitors• 30 staff

Recycling & fruit donations

Conservation fundraising

GTBS current recommendation: SILVER

Inspection 12 months later …

Awarding Criteria

1. Compulsory compliance with legislation

2. Management & Marketing

3. Social Involvement & Communication

4. Energy

5. Water

6. Purchasing

7. Waste

8. Transport

9. Natural & Cultural Heritage

10. Innovation

1. Legislation

• CCF - Cambridge Carbon Footprint • SPEP - Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership• CCI - Cambridge Carbon Initiative• Green team meetings - Development• Native Species Surveys (NSS)• Environmental Policies• Staff awareness

2. Green Marketing

NOMagazines, newspaper, leaflet drops etc

YESSocial media (Hootsuite), weblinks, radio,

joint promotions i.e. GDO (Great Days Out Cambridge)

3. Stay Local

• Recycle all waste locally (within 8 miles)• Fruit & vegetable press campaign• Resident passes (walking distance)• Local suppliers• Community Programme• Dream Night at the Zoo

4. Sustainable Energy

• Solar Panels - all main buildings • Reed bed sewage system for new Education Centre

5. Water Use

• Drip systems• Water butts• Staff Awareness• Greywater recycling system

6. Purchasing

• Environmental Policy … including Palm Oil use• Suppliers Policies• Palm Oil Interpretation (Tiger Lodge)• Customer Experience survey Q • Keeper / Tiger Talks ‘spreading awareness’• ‘Buy local’ policy • ‘Caring Consumer’ message (Gift Shop)

7. Waste

• Everything is recycled (except polystyrene)• Bulk ordering to reduce packaging• Re-cycle locally (within 8 miles)• Change in husbandry procedures

i.e. Hedgehog Hospital use of towels

8. Sustainable Transport

• Cycle Parking & discount• Rail Users Group (RUG)• Station Wildlife Garden

• First Capital Connect train partnership & marketing campaign

Cambridge to London Kings Cross line (7m users)

Poster boards, tannoy announcements, on-line &

social media

Discounted entry

9. Conservation

• Cambridge Conservation Forum (CCF) • Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity (SWCC)• Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital• Hedgehog Scientific Advisory Board (HSAB)• Fundraising / Awareness events (£60k raised)

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10. Innovation

• New Education Eco Barn• Feature Garden• HSAB

GTBS Audit

Full day inspection

Site inspection based on criteria

‘Green File’ inspection

2012 AwardsShepreth WP scored 89% being awarded GOLD

… and was shortlisted for the Green Tourism

Business Scheme Goldstar Awards 2012

The shortlist is compiled from the highest scoring Gold graded businesses representing the greenest 2% of the total 2300 GTBS members

Comments from the assessor:

‘Shepreth have implemented a number of measures. Heavily involved in conservation, they have vetted suppliers on their ethical principle including sourcing of palm oil & set up their own conversation charity with successful fundraising. Other highlights from the audit include low E lighting, coach switch off policy, rail travel incentive, dedicated educational building, good insulation, excellent waste strategy, using waste food and comprehensive energy awareness. A strong entry to the scheme, worth a case study.’

Green Tourism Week

Finalist: GoldStar Awards 2012

Winner: People’s Choice Awards 2012

BIAZA Green Tourism

Green Tourism Members in BIAZA

GOLDBirdworld, Chester Zoo, Shepreth Wildlife Park, WWT Arundel, WWT London Wetland Centre, WWT Martin Mere, WWT Washington

SILVER National Marine Aquarium, Oceanarium

BRONZEBlair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park, Deep Sea World

AWAITING GRADINGThe Scottish Deer Centre

BIAZA & GTBS Partnership

• ZSL London – Sponsoring Tiger Territory

• Durrell Zoo Jersey – Sponsoring Orang Utans,

• Chester Zoo – Sponsoring Parrot with Tony Juniper

• Newquay Zoo – Sponsoring Trinidad stream frog (Amphibian Ark)

• Amphibian Ark – Financial Support for the programme via meeting

• British Medical Association – Green meeting package including donation to ZSL

Q Hotels & Jurys Inns, Hilton Aberdeen, Holiday Inn Edinburgh, Principle Hayley Group all sponsor animals through various charities as a condition of membership …

but they could do more with Zoos

Green Tourism Week

DIARY DATES …

GREEN TOURISM CONFERENCE

BRISTOL SCIENCE CENTRE

8TH NOVEMBER 2013

www.maximillionevents.co.uk/gtbs2013/index.asp

Kilimanjaro: Climbing for Conservation

• End of January 2014

• Approx. €1,250 (plus flight)

• 7 day trekking

• Fundraising for conservation & raising awareness for the Pole-to-Pole 2014 campaign

•E: rebecca@sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk

+ 44 1738 632162

jon@green-business.co.uk

The_GTBS

Green Tourism

““Be the change you want to see in the world”Be the change you want to see in the world”

Mahatma GhandiMahatma Ghandi