Environmental Policy of The Burren Centre, Kilfenora, County Clare
We operate in compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and we strive to raise awareness of pollution prevention and environmental best practices in all we do. We are a fully paid up member of Burren Ecotourism Network. We encourage education to observe and develop an awareness of living things in a range of habitats in local and wider environments and we raise awareness that air, water, soil living, and non-living things are essential to the environment.
We encourage people to realise that people, animals and plants depend on each other and both individuals and communities have a responsibility for taking care of the environment.
Visitors to The Burren Centre are reminded of the fragility of the eco-systems and uniqueness of the region and asked that care be taken not to disturb the plant and animal life. We have adopted and implemented the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark Code of Practice for sustainable tourism. We make referrals to other business and offer the discount cards provided by Burren Geopark. We refer visitors to our stand to explore the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.
At the Burren Centre we minimise our waste by promoting recycling to staff and visitors
We advertise the leave no trace principles at our Burren and Cliffs of Moher Information Point
Staff are advised to report leaks immediately to ensure water is not wasted at The Burren Centre.
We advise our staff the need to make prudent use of water and to check all toilets and sinks
We minimise waste in the Tea Rooms when food is left over, we give it to a local man for his dogs
All detergents and disinfectants must be environmentally friendly
We reduce our energy costs by using Airtricity as our supplier
The Burren Centre supports the principles of the Burren Code to help safeguard the Burren landscape
We stock all maps, brochures, leaflets and posters of Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark
Plastic, Glass and cans are all sorted and recycled. All packaging material is recycled
All paper is recycled. Some of the shredded paper is used by local farmers as bedding for their animals
In the office we switch off computers when not in use. Our photocopier has an automatic energy saving button
As much as possible use of natural light is maximised and low energy bulbs are used throughout the building. We encourage staff to switch off lights in rooms when not in use.
Products are purchased in bulk where possible to reduce the amount of packaging
Staff working in the kitchen on wash up duties are reminded only to turn on dishwasher for full loads
We communicate our policy within our company and to the public and we ask staff for their recommendations to assist us with our efforts
“Leave no trace of your visit, take nothing but memories”.
The Burren Centre is fortunate to be situated in an area surrounded by natural landscapes and human environments shaped by millennia of use. The personal touch and one on one communication with the visitor play a primary role in Comhar Conradh na Boirne’s policy towards satisfying the educational environmental needs and expectations of both tourist and local alike. The Burren panorama can no longer be taken for granted unless we educate people concerning the fragility, vulnerability of its eco systems and the absolute imperative of the conservation and preservation of the landscape.
At the Burren Centre visitors are introduced to the unique heritage and natural history of the unique Burren region and we constantly remind visitor and locals to: