Sustainability
Rainbow Springs has a long history of working for the environment, is committed to achieving it’s sustainability goals, becoming carbon neutral and continuing to grow its conservation and environmental initiatives.
Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park and Kiwi Encounter has achieved the prestigious Enviro Gold Qualmark status and becomes the first visitor attraction in Rotorua to do so.
Rainbow Springs has achieved Best Practice results in energy consumption, waste recycling and vehicle management. These measures will ensure efficient practices, great cost savings and secure a sustainable future for Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park.
INVOLVEMENT AND ACTION
- Member of Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter
- Formed an active Rainbow Springs Sustainable Business Committee
- Assessed by the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter and annual goals set
- Creation of a new role of ‘Organic Gardener’
- Sustainable Living workshops for staff
- Carbon Emissions currently being calculated each month
- Staff becoming active - some attending Sustainable Living Courses in their spare time, car pooling and taking environmental action in their homes.
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY
- Run educational courses such as “Candling” for DOC staff, where we teach correct handling and care of kiwi eggs
- Educational lectures are held regularly on-site, at Universities, Polytechnics, schools and around the country at various institutions.
- Work closely with DOC and a supporter of the DOC “Green Team”
- Rainbow Springs assists local government in controlling pests
- 2008-09 Community Support to the value of $8,000
CARING FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES
- Makes an important contribution to caring for New Zealand endangered species, and native flora and fauna
- A safe environment is provided for wild trout who frequent Rainbow Springs
- Involvement in the Tuatara captive breeding program in conjunction with DOC and Otago University.
- Kiwi chicks being successfully raised and released through the Rainbow Springs programme
- Over 750 kiwi chicks released back into the wild since Kiwi Encounter’s inception and 130 chicks reared at Kiwi Encounter and were released back into the wild 2009-10
ENERGY, WATER, WASTE
- Selection of energy efficient appliances
- Energy efficient lighting throughout the park
- Committed waste recyclers with an extensive paper, cardboard, plastic, tins and cans recycling programme
- Committed to composting
- New toilet paper dispensers trialed and to be installed using 100% recycled paper. Dispenser made of some recycled materials. Also saves considerable amounts of toilet paper per year.
- 360 cubic metres of rubbish retired from landfill in the 2006/2007 financial year
BIODIVERSITY
- Use of biodegradable and environmentally friendly cleaning products where possible in the park and offices.
- Development of an Organic Vegetable and Herb garden, which will supply Springs Café, help feed Kiwi and other park animals while attracting more of ‘the nice bugs’ into the area
- Upcoming installation of worm farms, turning café waste into natural fertilizer for use in the park
- Tree Plantings currently being recorded.
GREEN PURCHASES
- Always purchasing renewable resource products where possible, including recycled paper manufactured in mills accredited with ISO 14001 (environmental management system)
- Printers and suppliers are sought who also meet sustainability criteria
- Installation of 660 square metres of Cool Carpet. Resulting in 14 metric tones of certified carbon dioxide credits permanently retired.
- Paper bags used in retail store replacing plastic bags
