Tourism Victoria and Vancity have partnered together to offer visitors to British Columbia’s capital city 100% Canadian made, 100% Victorian designed reusable shopping bags made from 100% recycled material.The bags will be handed out to visitors at the Visitor Centre 100% free.

This morning, the first bag was handed out along with a celebration of the artist who designed the beautiful logo on each of the bags. Kathy Guthrie, a local Victoria resident and visual artist/calligrapher was the chosen winner for her design. Kathy’s submission included this comment: “In my design I used a variety of hand drawn lettering styles and stylized drawings to depict some of the many things Victoria has to offer.  I enjoy making my art designs fun to look at and can envision happy people shopping with this design on their reusable bag!”

What makes this project even better is that even the ink is earth-friendly. Earthlimits is a small family owned Victoria business that produces earth awareness usable products. They focus on using a combination of fair labour, organic cotton and water based inks to provide top quality products that are gentle on our planet and its people. They collaborate with other small Canadian businesses to provide goods that are strictly 100% manufactured and printed in Canada.

Tourism Victoria is now contributing to the greater cause with more impact than ever demonstrating and promoting sound environmental practices. Tourism Victoria encourages visitors to use the cloth instead of plastic bags while shopping in Victoria and back at home. Furthermore, the bar has been set for local businesses to jump on board and offer their guests a reusable bag option.

The tourism industry as a whole in the Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island region are continuously raising the bar in Sustainable Travel. As locals we are all so proud of who we are and where we live. Most of us don’t even think about it anymore, we just grab our cloth shopping bags from the cupboard just as we grab our keys from the key rack on our way out to the grocery store. This routine has simply become a part of who we are.

I feel obliged to mention that I work for Tourism Victoria but that doesn’t mean that I’m any more proud of this initiative than I would be as a citizen reading the paper. We are all locals first. The vision of a sustainable city is one that takes every individual to actualize, and we really are getting there, one-step-at-a-time.

Last week at Tourism Victoria’s Annual General Meeting and Awards Ceremony held at the Inn at Laurel Point, we crowned the 2009 Environment Award winners. These awards recognize the efforts to preserve the environment for the benefit of residents and visitors alike, and for seeing the future through the eyes of tomorrow’s children. Tourism Victoria presents three Environment Awards each year at the organization’s Annual General Meeting.

Congratulations to our 2009 Environment Award Winners!

Individual: Jennifer Davies

2009 Environment Award - Individual

Jennifer Davies is a dedicated member of the community currently expanding her business – The Hair Garden Salon- due to a demand for her services. Jennifer offers an eco-friendly salon environment that focuses on using natural products that are gentle and non toxic. Natural hair dyes, makeup, skin care and even cleaning supplies are just a few things you can find at the Hair Garden. Jennifer is affiliated with such groups as The Green Collective, which offers a chance for the Vancouver Island community to choose eco-conscious products and services. She continually participates in the effort to promote environmental awareness and donates generously to several local events and charities. Jennifer is a leader in the green initiative and will continue to be a role model for business women, environmental efforts and Entrepreneurs alike!

Corporate: Maple Leaf Adventures

2009 Environment Award - Corporate

Maple Leaf Adventures is designed from inside out as an ecotourism organization: in a 360- degree view of the company, every action should have low/no impact on the environment, enhance conservation, support local communities and educate. Maple Leaf Adventures donates at least 1% of gross sales to coastal conservation – the first cruise company in the world to be part of 1% For The Planet. Canada and BC, along with the Wilderness Tourism Association(WTO), have recognized Maple Leaf as a steward of the environment. Maple Leaf donates hundreds of hours a year to foster ecotourism, including working with government on behalf of operators, serving in wilderness tourism organizations, and co-founding the Commercial Bear Viewing Association, to develop a responsible bear viewing industry and guides. Maple Leaf trips have no impact on coastal habitat. Voluntary conservation programs include bilge filtering, holding tanks, recycling, underwater noise reduction, and the ultimate fuel conservation: sailing. Maple Leaf Adventures is proving themselves as leaders in proving that ecotourism is a fun, inspiring – world-leading industry in BC – and that you can design a prosperous business while preserving the environment!

Organization: Fisherman’s Wharf Community Association

2009 Environment Award - Organization

The Fisherman’s Wharf Community Association is the official organization of the approximately 50 residents who live in the 33 float homes at Fisherman’s Wharf. They have a sincere respect and appreciation for their unique marine environment and actively work towards Environmental stewardship. The Environmental Committee has been active for 3 years in its work towards seeking an increased connection to the environment and adopting practices that promote a greener and more environmentally respectful lifestyle. The committee identifies four areas that they actively pursue their desire to have as minimal impact on the environment as possible. Through community education, lifestyle, gardening and transportation they are proving a green lifestyle is rewarding both personally and globally.

We here at Tourism Victoria are very extend our most sincere congratulations to all of the 2009 award winners. For more information on the awards and to read about the Miracle Award Honouree, you can visit www.tourismvictoria.com.