OWL’s Pledge
Just over an hour’s drive from the city of Ottawa’s downtown core, lies the OWL Rafting resort. In contrast to the bustling city streets and tightly developed shoreline of Canada’s capital, OWL Rafting remains a scenic and peaceful setting that embodies much of the beauty found throughout the Ottawa River watershed. Chickadees perch atop tree branches and sing their marry song, whilst Red Foxes scavenge for food amongst the surrounding woodlands and farmers field’s. Lake Sturgeon – over a hundred years old in some instances – swim elegantly under the surface of the river’s water, overlooked by the imposing grandeur of White Pines that grow steadily along its shoreline. No matter where you look, nature is abundant.
Nature is abundant.
And yet, the resort’s unspoiled setting was never a given. Rather, OWL Rafting has retained the inherent beauty of the Ottawa River’s shoreline through a culture of holistic sustainability practices. In understanding that the Ottawa River and its shoreline is its primary attraction, OWL Rafting has sought to foster an appreciation for the destination in both its staff, and those who come to raft and camp each season. As Co-Owner/Operator Dirk Van Wijk says, “As whitewater paddlers we place immense value on keeping the rivers and shorelines that we visit pristine. We endeavor to educate our guests with this philosophy.”
Sustainability is one of OWL’s Core Values.
Since its inception in 1981, OWL Rafting has worked hard to orient its core values as an organization around sustainable business practices. This fact is visible throughout day-to-day life at the resort. From the time you pull off the access road, and past the large yellow and blue “Welcome to OWL Rafting” sign, you are immediately struck by the relaxed demeanor of the resort. The buildings are rustic yet charming, and the campgrounds natural yet welcoming. Native tree species are plentiful, and the resort’s shoreline is undisturbed besides a single dock used for the pontoon boats. Obvious thought and care has been put into the resort’s presentation, with an emphasis on its natural setting being noticeable from the time you arrive.
In spending time around the resort, you are likely to catch a glimpse of the many ways in which OWL Rafting strives to ensure its business operations are as environmentally sustainable as possible. After an exhilarating day on the river for instance, a hot shower is often in order. Being primarily solar-heated, the outdoor showers are both an energy-efficient and gratifying way to relax after the intensity of the day’s whitewater. When nature calls, you’ll probably make your way to the oddly attractive bathroom structure in the resort’s main area. Affectionately nicknamed the “Clivus” (after the Clivus Multrum company that produces it), the complex uses aerobic decomposition to gradually break down human waste into viable fertilizer in an elaborate scientific process that is both crude, and fascinating.
Feeding the Pigs
During the evenings, you might see the kitchen team delivering the resort’s food waste to OWL’s three resident pigs. At the start of each season, piglets from local farmers are purchased and fed all the uneaten, non-compostable food waste as a means of reducing strain on local landfills. Needless to say, the pigs are always excited at the sound of the approaching food cart, and will often run over to greet it. OWL Rafting’s kitchen team also works hard to grow produce and herbs used to supplement the meals served to both its staff and guests. In addition to purchasing much of its food from local producers and distributors, this onsite horticulture has earned OWL Rafting the FEAST ON culinary tourism designation – a respected farm to table distinction within Ontario.
Trading disposable for reuasable
Viewing “sustainability” as more than merely a marketable buzzword, OWL Rafting has sought to implement ecological initiatives with tangible benefits to the regional environment. Single use plastics – the ubiquitous burden of landfills around the world – are avoided whenever possible. Rather than use plastic bags, customers are strongly encouraged to carry out items purchased within OWL’s onsite store. Moreover, as of this upcoming season, the OWL Rafting Cafe will be eliminating disposable “takeaway cups” in favor of reusable mugs and travel thermoses.
Each season, with the help of staff alumni and the local community, OWL Rafting organizes a river cleanup to remove accumulated trash and debris from the shoreline and eddies of the Ottawa River. Likewise, soon to be installing an electric vehicle charging station at its base of operations, OWL Rafting hopes to do its part in empowering low-emissions travel options for its guests. Put simply, OWL Rafting is an organization that possesses both the enthusiasm and self-awareness necessary to recognize the ways in which they can be more environmentally conscientious, and take steps to do so.
Always looking to move forward, and to continue pushing the boundaries of responsible travel, OWL Rafting is committing to the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge. The UN World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities”. Developed as a means of supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals for the tourism industry, the pledge involves annually evaluating its sustainability performance through common criteria, and committing to demonstrably improving each year. In doing so, OWL Rafting hopes to honor its legacy of environmental and community stewardship by remaining at the forefront of responsible travel for years to come.
Written by Connor Lalande
OWL Rafting Guide
