Sustainable Development Policy of the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien [GPT]

A Word from the President
The mission of the Zoo sauvage has always been closely linked to the protection of the environment, ecosystems, and their inhabitants. Over the years, scientific knowledge has deepened our understanding in this field and contributed to strengthening the Zoo’s role in education, environmental protection, and conservation. While scientific knowledge continues to grow, we also observe that public awareness of environmental issues is evolving.
The concept of sustainable development has been known for decades, but it has been more widely used and defined in recent years. It is based on three pillars: environmental, social, and economic, and in Quebec, it includes 16 guiding principles.
In 2002, the Centre for Boreal Biodiversity Conservation, which oversees the Zoo sauvage, was created with the goal of better fulfilling our mission:
“To inspire a love of nature in order to preserve it.”
Due to its mission, the Zoo sauvage has a natural affinity with the environmental pillar of sustainable development. However, it also has a significant social and economic impact.
On behalf of our organization’s Board of Directors, management, and employees, I support the fulfillment of our mission through our Sustainable Development Policy, in order to continuously improve our practices.
Réjean Lavoie
President of the Board of Directors of CCBB Inc.

Preamble
This Sustainable Development Policy organizes and formalizes the actions carried out daily by the various stakeholders of the organization. It formalizes everyone’s commitment and will enable both individuals and the organization to go further in terms of sustainable development.

Scope
This Policy applies to all direct and indirect stakeholders connected to the Zoo sauvage: members of the Board of Directors, employees, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, the public, and other partners.

Definition of Sustainable Development
The Zoo sauvage adopts the definition of sustainable development from the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, and the Fight Against Climate Change (MDDELCC):
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It is based on a long-term vision that takes into account the inseparable nature of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of development activities.”

Guiding Principles of the Sustainable Development Policy
The Zoo will rely at minimum on the five main principles prioritized by the Charter of Museums and Sustainable Development of the Société des musées québécois (SMQ):
Social equity and solidarity
Participation and engagement
Access to knowledge
Protection of cultural heritage
Responsible production and consumption
In addition, two principles aligned with the Zoo’s mission are included:
Environmental protection
Preservation of biodiversity
As well as an enhancement to one principle:
Protection of cultural and natural heritage

Objectives of the Zoo sauvage within the Sustainable Development Policy
The objectives pursued by the Zoo and its employees are directly tied to these guiding principles.
Social Equity and Solidarity
“Development actions must be carried out with concern for intra- and intergenerational equity, ethics, and social solidarity.”
Objectives:
Ensure fair treatment of employees by respecting the collective agreement.
Ensure fair treatment of visitors by training employees to meet their needs and answer their questions.
Ensure fair treatment of subcontractors and suppliers by respecting ethical procurement practices.
Environmental Protection
“To achieve sustainable development, environmental protection must be an integral part of the development process.”
Objectives:
Update on-site interpretation with engaging panels featuring up-to-date scientific content on environmental protection.
Raise employee awareness regarding waste management and the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover).
Ensure recycling bins are available at all waste collection points.
Participation and Engagement
“The participation and engagement of citizens and groups are essential to define a shared vision of development and ensure its sustainability.”
Objectives:
Ensure employee support in implementing the development plan.
Ensure community support for the Zoo through financial contributions to ensure long-term sustainability.
Access to Knowledge
“Measures promoting education, access to information, and research should be encouraged to foster innovation and public awareness.”
Objectives:
Update interpretation panels with current scientific content on species ecology and conservation.
Update educational activities for all audiences.
Increase the use of social media to share educational messages on environmental protection.
Increase participation in scientific research programs with universities.
Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage
“Cultural heritage reflects the identity of a society and must be protected and enhanced for sustainable development.”
Objectives:
Improve the visual quality of landscapes within the Parc des sentiers de la nature.
Promote the reproduction of species with vulnerable conservation status.
Increase the Zoo’s contribution to in situ conservation projects.
Preservation of Biodiversity
“Biological diversity provides invaluable services and must be preserved for present and future generations.”
Objectives:
Improve employee access to reliable information on biodiversity conservation.
Ensure educational content includes actions to protect biodiversity.
Encourage naturalists to propose conservation projects and group involvement.
Responsible Production and Consumption
“Production and consumption methods must evolve to become more sustainable and efficient.”
Objectives:
Reassess potable water consumption and identify ways to reduce it.
Inventory materials to avoid unnecessary purchases.
Remind all staff of the purchasing policy.

Roles and Responsibilities
The Executive Director and department directors are responsible for implementing the Policy and achieving its objectives.
The Policy will be made accessible to employees, who will be informed and engaged as key partners in achieving its goals. Department directors, supported by their teams, will define measurable and realistic actions, reviewed annually.
The Policy will also be shared with collaborators and published on the Zoo sauvage website for the public.
It will be reviewed at least every five years, or more frequently if needed.

Effective Date
The Sustainable Development Policy of the Zoo sauvage came into effect on Thursday, September 27, 2018, following its approval by the Board of Directors of the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien.
Christine Gagnon, biologist
Director of Conservation & Education
September 20, 2018