Cape Jourimain Nature Centre earns national sustainable tourism award

Cape Jourimain Nature Centre has once again gained recognition on the national stage.

The nature centre, located in Bayfield, was among the winners receiving one of several National Awards for Tourism Excellence last week, an honour that represents the best of Canada's tourism industry. The awards were presented during the Tourism Industry Association of Canada's leadership summit in Saint John.

Noted since its opening for leading the way in offering an eco-tourism experience like not other, not surprisingly Cape Jourimain Nature Centre was the winner of the Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award.

Sabine Dietz, executive director of CJNC, says the nature centre is unique in that it is not only a tourism-based operation, but it also strongly focuses its mandate on getting the word out to others about living more sustainably.

"This award recognizes that there is more to working towards sustainability than trying to be green," says Dietz. "Our approach to sustainability permeates every aspect of our operations and we constantly ask questions about the sustainability of our actions, purchases, and choices. And all of this is reflected in our approach to education and outreach, on-site as well as off-site."

Cape Jourimain Nature Centre has been described as a one-of-a-kind gem because it offers an opportunity to explore the area's rich past and to appreciate the delicate balance between nature and humankind.

Education, appreciation and sustainability are fundamental cornerstones of the centre, which features a number of innovative green technologies that reduces its ecological footprint and the environmental effect of thousands of visitors.

"We demonstrate very clearly that, while we certainly are not perfect (there is always more to do), we "walk the talk" in that we not only provide information on what people can do, but we do these things ourselves."

Examples she cited include: eating healthier by purchasing as much local and organically-grown food as possible; supporting local artisans (over half of the centre's retail stock is on consignment from Maritime artisans); and using less electricity (CJNC operates a solar hot water panel, and various other technologies).

The National Awards for Tourism Excellence, which are presented by The Globe and Mail, were developed in 2003 by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada to recognize and foster Canadian tourism excellence. The awards allow Canada's tourism industry to recognize those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer a superior tourism experience to travelers in Canada.

New Brunswick's Tourism and Parks Minister Stuart Jamieson said these awards recognize the commitment that exists within the tourism industry to "build on the unique services and products that we already have, ensuring continued growth of this sector, which is important to our economy."

Dietz says the staff and CJNC board are excited about receiving this award, as it will likely mean greater exposure for the nature centre.

"As a charitable organization, our marketing funds are minimal. So every bit of exposure helps us raise awareness of who we are. So hopefully this award will also mean that more people will become curious about us," she said.

This is not the first time Cape Jourimain Nature Centre has been recognized for its achievements. This past spring, CJNC also received a sustainable tourism award from Parks Canada on a provincial level from the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick. As well, one of the nature centre's longtime staff members Lois Nicholson received one the Premiers Award for Energy Efficiency earlier this year, in recognition of her work to reduce the centre's energy usage.

The centre was also named one of the top ten tourism attractions in New Brunswick this year by an independent panel of tourism experts.