A Social Enterprise
The Outdoor Learning School & Store is a social enterprise, with 100% of proceeds going back to supporting outdoor learning non-profit initiatives.
Indigenous Knowledge & Perspectives
We understand that Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives are foundational to outdoor learning. We have partnered with over 50 other non-profits to take a leadership role in this effort by facilitating and learning alongside thousands of educators through the 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning Course.
We have several Indigenous staff, including a Director of Indigenous Learning, Indigenous Learning Facilitator and Program Manager. And we work with many Indigenous Advisors, Educators and Elders to review and curated the Indigenous Learning Resources that we offer, in partnership with Indigenous partners, advisors and organizations.
We work to develop meaningful, lasting and authentic relationships with a diversity of Indigenous people, communities and Nations, and are constantly looking for mutually beneficial ways to elevate their voices.
Environmental Operations Policy
Our operations are guided by our Environmental Operations Policy.
This includes that we:
- Reduce the ecological footprint, air, land and water pollution, and waste stream resulting from of our operations, both internal and external. Goals include, but are not restricted to:
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and air contaminants;
- Efficient use of energy and water resources;
- Reduction in waste, support of reuse and recycling;
- Elimination of toxic and hazardous substances.
- Ensure that we purchase goods and services that have a lesser or reduced impact on the environment over the life cycle of the good or service, when compared with competing goods or services serving the same purpose;
- Ensure that we, as an environmental education organization, ‘walks our talk’ to the best of our ability.
Shipping
We have partnered with Columbia Valley Freight and their new fleet of electric vehicles who pick up orders from the Outdoor Learning Store on a weekly basis.
From time to time we also use Spark, Canada’s first dedicated electric vehicle carshare, to transport orders.
Packaging
We re-use all boxes that come to us from our suppliers, and when required, we purchase boxes with as much post-consumer content as we are able to find locally. We also use 100% recycled packaging material and water-activated packing tape that is made out of 50% recycled paper, and is certified as recycle-friendly.
Any packing slips or posters included in our shipped materials are printed on 100% recycled paper. And our shipping labels are printed with environmentally sensitive labels using environmentally sensitive inks.
Outdoor Learning Store Suppliers
Many of our supplies have strong and long track records in social and environmental responsibility. These include: