Northern Territory photography holiday, Australia
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We have a long history of working to minimise the impact we have on our beautiful and delicate Central Australian desert environment. Global warming is something that affects us all and something we need to help address if we want to continue to run a sustainable and responsible business, not to mention a future for our kids.
Having been involved with Outback Offsets, a joint pilot program established by Tourism NT (The Northern Territory Governments tourism agency) last year and which has now concluded, we are voluntarily taking up the challenge to become Carbon Neutral by the end of the 2009/10 Financial Year. Aside from our own efforts to reduce our carbon emissions, the use of diesel fuel is an integral part of our business as a tour operator and impossible to eliminate. To counter this we have undertaken to offset the carbon emissions for all our customers on all our safaris free of charge.
The money required to offset your emissions will go to LMS Generation Pty Ltd, an Australian Government approved Greenhouse Friendly™ abatement provider. The LMS abatement is from the Shoal Bay Landfill Gas Generation project in Darwin which produces electricity from methane gas harvested from waste.
Our Environmental Management Policy includes:
- Measure our environmental impact and introduce and implement further operational improvements assisting in further reducing our Carbon Foot Print, and substantiating our declaration of being Carbon Neutral
- Maximise energy efficiency whilst minimizing emissions.
- Meet the certification criteria of the NEAP and Respect our Culture programs as defined by Ecotourism Australia
- Upgrade our environmental “best practice” standards within our business and work to communicate our efforts and performance to staff, business associates and guests.
- Enhance our position by continuously educating guests and assisting them to understand and appreciate our diverse natural environment.
- Continuously improve awareness, education and implementation of new initiatives within all company departments.
- Commit to compliance with all relevant Environmental Legislation.
- Consult with Landowners and Managers and comply with agreed directions in regards to impact and conservation upon “soft use” areas. Directions are conveyed to staff, clients and associates accordingly.
- Support local suppliers, purchasing produce and accessories in bulk at every opportunity to minimize our waste packaging and collection impact.
- Support Local Government Re-Cycling programs and to continue to be a vocal advocate to Government seeking expansion of re-cycling programs.
- Utilise bio-degradable, low nutrient and chlorine free detergents and cleaning products
- Advocate wherever possible the employment of local skilled and un-skilled staff
- Advocate the training of Aboriginal Guides and support of Aboriginal Tourism Product.
- Foster and actively educate staff and visitors to our “quiet environment” ethos at our remote campsites and “wild” camping locations.
- Promote staff friendly Work Place Agreements, reducing business activity through the heat of the day, thereby reducing our water use commitments.
- Actively encourage walking, cycling or car sharing travel to and from the business.
- Actively investigate and replace environmentally friendly office equipment and supplies when appropriate.The operator also has Advanced Eco Accreditation with Ecotourism Australia.
Community
We are locally owned and operated (including guiding) from Alice Springs. All campsites used in this tour are locally owned and food provided is sourced locally. You guide will assist to ensure you comply with local customs and traditions.
Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park - This is Aboriginal land and we welcome you. The traditional owners, the Anangu, value the park as a place that honours the culture of our people, preserves the fragile ecology of the land of our ancestors and upholds Tjukurpa - the Pitjantjatjara word for our history, knowledge, religion, morality and law. Tjukurpa has always the way in which we look after each other and the country. Please enjoy this World Heritage Area and open your minds and hearts to learn about our land, beliefs and culture. A visitor to these parks not only assist in preservation of culture, but also generates economy into the communities.
