Sustainable Tourism

Leah and Guy Bouchard have transformed their family’s sustainable farm lifestyle to a hands-on, immersive experience for visitors as a way to fill in slower periods on the farm while still staying true to their values. The Bouchards created the Farm, Fibre, Food & Friends tourism experience to help visitors connect, create, and enjoy a simpler life.

Visitors to Green Pastures Farm are immersed in traditions of caring for the sheep that generate wool while learning about innovative agriculture practices that have withstood the test of time to foster a strong bond with the land. Visitors learn about producing food harvested from the fields, pastures and forests while gaining a deep understanding of sustainable living through a waste-free and eco-friendly experience.

The number one rule of camping and outdoor adventure is 'Leave no Trace'. Wild Loon Adventure Company practices this principle throughout all operations and shares its importance with their guests.

By creating positive interactions with the natural world, Wild Loon Adventure Co. helps guests gain a deeper understanding of the nuanced and intricate beauty of Manitoba's backcountry while fostering appreciation and respect for nature.

Many of Wild Loon Adventure Company’s trips take place on Manitoba's four heritage rivers, which are not often accessible to the broader public as they travel through Indigenous communities’ lands. Wild Loon Adventure Co. works with the communities through which they paddle to ensure permission and to provide opportunities to support local businesses. Guests are educated on the cultural significance of canoeing in Manitoba's history while exploring the beauty of the province.

The non-profit Winnipeg Folk Festival has been recognized as a leader in sustainable festival practices. In 2023, the festival’s Enviro teams helped divert over 8,400 kg of recyclable and 6,400 kg of compostable materials from the landfill. All vendors use compostable serving ware and cups and maintain a water bottle-free policy, with free water on tap for all festival goers.

Winnipeg Folk Festival further reduces its carbon footprint with free shuttle services from downtown Winnipeg and offers ample bike parking to minimize vehicle use. On top of all that, all festival services, stages and vendors are powered by a renewable energy system. Winnipeg Folk Fest demonstrates true leadership in sustainable event production.

Guided by the United Nations’ Sustainable Tourism Development Goals, FortWhyte Alive shows what sustainable tourism looks like, right within the city limits.

FortWhyte’s sustainability program inspires Manitoba’s tourism communities through various initiatives, including an organization-wide commitment to decarbonizing operations.

FortWhyte Alive’s capital projects—like the soon-to-be-completed LEED Platinum Certified Buffalo Crossing facility north of McGillivray Boulevard—are helping to educate the local architecture, design and trades communities on how to build green, climate-change resilient infrastructure.

FortWhyte Alive strives to create an outstanding visitor experience while promoting low-impact tourism and recreation, and continually working to improve the richness of biodiversity on site.