Environmental
Initiatives
Nature is one of Power To Be’s core values, and we aim to continually deepen our relationship with the environment, while working alongside our community to promote environmental education and sustainable solutions.
From writing a chapter about adaptive recreation for a textbook, to working with community partners to donate sleeping pads to our community, to offering one of the only accessible parking areas with electric chargers at our Prospect Lake site, we continue to explore new ways that we can take care of our environment, and each other.
We believe Everyone Belongs In Nature, and we are committed to preserving and protecting our environment to ensure future generations can enjoy the beauty and connection nature provides.
Our values are not only reflected in our programs – they are embedded in how we operate, support our team, and care for our environment.
A Shared Commitment.
A Brighter Future.
1% for the Planet is a global network with thousands of incredible businesses and environmental organizations working together to support people and the planet, and we’re proud to be recognized as an official 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner for our work around site preservation, outdoor recreation, and youth education.
Being a 1% partner makes a world of difference in helping us run our inclusive and accessible nature programs, and connects us to a global community of people and organizations with a shared purpose: caring for the planet, and supporting the people who call it home.
We collaborated with community partners to save nearly 60 paddleboards and kayaks from the landfill - they were repaired and given a second chance.
Project Zero:
Circular Economies
Environmentally, our operations are guided by circular economy principles, and in the fall of 2024 we received a Certificate of Achievement from Project Zero with an 83% circularity score. We successfully divert 87.2% of our waste from the landfill, and earned 100% scores in the “Reuse” and “Redesign & Innovation” sections. Our practices include:
Reusing materials on-site (e.g., canoes as garden beds, repurposed sheds)
Reusable serviceware for staff and guests
Maintaining gear for decades, with many items in use for 20+ years
Responsible disposal of invasive plants
Formal procurement policy for cleaning and paper products
We facilitated
166
Environmental Programs in 2024.
Green Energy,
Powering Change
We are proud to be a member of One Planet Saanich, with ongoing efforts toward Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal Certification.
Living Buildings are self-sufficient, regenerative buildings that connect occupants to light, air, food, nature, and community, and create a positive impact on human and natural systems, all while remaining within the resource limits of our site. There are seven petal areas: place, water, energy, health and happiness, materials, equity, and beauty.
One Planet Saanich engages communities to create their own One Planet Action plans working towards: health & happiness, equity & local economy, culture & community, land & nature, sustainable water, local & sustainable food, travel & transport, materials & production, zero waste, and zero carbon energy.
In 2025, we will install solar panels – a major step toward full renewable energy reliance and LBC petal certification.
We are grateful to be able to share our Prospect Lake site with amazing partners that are doing impactful work in support of our environment, such as Rocky Point Bird Observatory, EPIC, Human-Nature Counselling, Swim Drink Fish, Special Bird Services, and Arboriculture Canada. We have also expanded our reach by fostering partnerships with the parks system, and offering training and advising for Parks Canada, BC Parks, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, and the CRD.
Powerful
Partners
Learning.
Together.
Environmental stewardship takes centre stage in our programming, and participants learn about Leave No Trace principals, weather patterns, plant identification, and the importance of recognizing the Indigenous community’s connection to the land and waterways. We facilitate many hands-on activities like trail building, gardening, and community-led annual broom pulls.
Our commitment to environmental initiatives only grows stronger from year to year. With plans for community restoration projects, invasive species management, and working with schools to expand environmental education for children and youth, we are excited at what the future holds!
