Professional Affiliations in Kayaking, Tourism, Business, & Conservation

We have a long-established commitment to the local environment and community - the home territory of the Ka:'yu:'k't'h' / Che:k:tles7et'h' (Kyuquot / Checleset) First Nation. With local ownership in Kyuquot and on Vancouver Island, West Coast Expeditions is working toward significant lasting contributions to the economic and community development opportunities for the Kyuquot people and area...and to supporting and promoting models of wilderness-based eco-adventure tourism elsewhere.

...more is also described on our Responsible Ecotourism page!

We cherish the friendship and trust that is shared with the residents and businesses of the area. We also work closely with industry groups, researchers, graduate students, and conservation and government agencies (e.g., BC Parks, BC Forest Service) to help foster understanding and stewardship of the local community, environment and associated protected areas - supporting the interdependent elements of successful and sustainable adventure travel on Vancouver Island and in BC.

In doing so, we are active members, stakeholders, advisers, sponsors, or volunteers with:

		Recognized since 2013 by Destination Canada and Destination BC as delivering a Canadian Signature Experience, which showcases dedicated operators who share that which makes Canada unique.  This national recognition program is now inactive, but we still love and uphold having this for a decade!
		The first sea kayak touring company in Canada to achieve and maintain the Green Tourism Gold standard and recently achieved "Sustainable Tourism Platinum Certified"  through an independent third-party assessment.  Committed every year to reviewing and improving our sustainable and responsible tourism practices, and encouraging others to do the same.
		Founding members of this recent formal collaboration between sea kayak operators - that has historically had very strong informal collaboration - to protect critical natural regions where they operate, develop best practices specific to our industry, share information and resources for professionalism and community relations, and to address important events that impact our sector and the wilderness tourism industry at large.
		Founding and ongoing active members of the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of British Columbia, dedicated to upholding high safety and operating standards for professional sea kayak guides and operators in BC, and including through guide training, ongoing professional development and certification processes.
		Adhering to market-ready standards with the Indigenous Tourism Association of British Columbia, promoting and encouraging authentic Indigenous cultural experiences.
		Active members with the Wilderness Tourism Association of British Columbia, including on the Board of Directors, working to ensure the ongoing viability of our industry through advocacy for nature-based tourism, including protecting the land and marine resources that support tourism - and life - in BC.
		For decades, WCE owners have worked in the role of Volunteer Warden of Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve, British Columbia's largest marine protected area.  This has also included supporting the work of BC Parks and Friends of Ecological Reserves, including as volunteer warden of Clanninick Creek ER, and Tahsish River ER.  These responsibilities are transitioning to Witwaak, the guardian stewardship team for the First Nation.
		Active stakeholders of Tourism Vancouver Island, promoting our region as an internationally recognized and preferred travel and getaway destination.
		Supporters & advisers to the BC Marine Trails network, dedicated to creating a marine network of campsites and access points along the coastline of British Columbia.