Farmstay Code of Practice 
Quadra Island, British Columbia, 
Canada Wilderness Tourism Association of British Columbia

February 5, 2002  

1) Operators and the Environment 

• 1. Association members shall be steward of the environment, enhance the natural integrity of their operation and other places they visit. 
• 2.   Association members shall contribute financially or in kind to: local and provincial initiatives whose efforts are to secure an environmentally sound land and marine base; appropriate research projects and to related education programs. 
• 3. Association members shall abide by the rules and regulations, established by provincial and federal governments for the protection of habitats and species. 
• 4. Association members shall avoid disturbing or encouraging the disturbance of wildlife or wildlife habitats 
• 5. Association members shall be aware of your footprint: keep vehicles, bicycles, hiking, boats, aircraft and etc. to designated roads, tracks, trails, flight paths, schedules. 
• 6. Association members shall be efficient in the use of natural resources (water, fuels, foods). 
• 7. Association members shall ensure waste disposal has minimal environmental and aesthetic impacts. 
• 8. Association members shall reduce, re-use and recycle, refuse. (4R) 
• 9. Association members shall support and encourage other companies that maintain good conservation and 4R practices. 
• 10. Association members shall commit to the principle of Best Practice but not at the expense of the environment. 
• 11. Association members considering the initiation of activities which could possibly pose a significant risk to nature, such activities shall be preceded by an exhaustive examination; their proponents shall demonstrate that expected benefits outweigh potential damage to nature, and where potential adverse effects are not fully understood, the activities should not proceed. 

2) Operator’s Advocacy and Support Association members shall keep abreast of current political, land/marine management, environmental issues, particularly in the local area, taking appropriate action when necessary

Association members shall network with other stakeholders, particularly in the local area, to keep each other informed of developments and encourage the use of this Code of Practice. 

3) Staff Training and Standards 

• 1. Association members shall promote and support advanced education/training for guides, other staff and managers, to the standards developed by appropriate associations and institutions e.g.: SKGA-BC, ACMG, CTHRC Occupational Standards for Adventure Guides, Heritage Interpreters and etc. 
• 2. Association members shall employ, where appropriate and available: adventure guides, heritage interpreters and other front line staff, who are knowledgeable, good communicators and who are well versed and respectful of local cultures and natural history. 
• 3. Association members shall comply with national, provincial and association safety standards. 

4) Client Relations: 

• 1. Association members shall use a variety of distribution methods to educate the recreational public and their guests as to the Responsibilities of the Tourist, when visiting other cultures and environments. 
• 2. Association members shall provide clients with the appropriate verbal, written or visual, inter-active materials to enhance their appreciation of and respect for the natural and cultural history, of the areas visited. 
• 3. Association members shall strive to provide the highest quality experience for their clients. 
• 4. Association members shall be truthful in advertising, press releases, discussions, and interpretations. 

5) Community Responsibilities 

• 1. Association members shall respect and honour the sensitivities, values, traditions, practices and protocols of other cultures. 
• 2. Association members shall buy and use locally produced goods, foods, equipment that benefits the local community, but do not buy goods made from threatened or endangered species.