This summer, at Outward Bound California’s High Sierra base camp in Midpines, CA, we piloted a Sustainability Program to address some of the most pressing environmental issues facing the organization. In essence, our staff wanted to practice what we preach on course–as a form of ‘front-country Leave No Trace’. Returning High Sierra staff members identified several key issues, including water conservation/drought management, waste reduction, and energy conservation as the biggest priorities for OBCA.

As a team, we started a number of new initiatives to address these problems, taking steps towards running a more sustainable business:

Waste Reduction

• Initiated partnership with Dog Patch SF’s “Ropes for Rescues” program to turn retired climbing ropes into dog leashes
• Diverted over 400 chip bags, energy bar wrappers, and used toiletry containers from landfills with help from friends NatureBridge & organization Terracycle
• Conducted a trash & recycling audit to evaluate the sources of our waste & determine what improvements we can make
• Started a system for composting our used paper towels

Water Conservation

• Calculated our monthly water use for the 2015 “peak season” in order to have a “baseline” for future years & evaluate trends. We found per person use was already half the average Bay Area resident!
• Met with staff at Sierra Watershed Progressive to discuss options for water reuse at High Sierra base camp
• Engaged staff in water conservation efforts through greater intention around water use including “mellow yellow” toilets, using gray water flushing, and shorter showers

Energy Reduction

• Tracked the last full year of energy usage to determine our baseline
• Consulted with board members and community members about renewable energy options and began to reduce our electricity demand
• Educated staff about phenomena like “vampire power”

Staff Engagement

• Facilitated discussions with High Sierra staff to address sustainability priorities, projects, & concerns. OBCA staff volunteered an estimated 50+ hours of service to the Midpines base camp in the form of environmental sustainability projects.
• Engaged staff in personal sustainability efforts through sustainability “pledges”
• Created a permanent “rideshare” board to facilitate carpooling

That’s what we’ve been up to over the last few months and we’re not stopping yet! Perhaps you’re asking, “Now that I’m back from my Outward Bound course, what can I do to be a sustainability champion?” When it comes to environmental stewardship, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or feel like we can’t make a difference. However, our actions have a ripple effect. Try making some of the changes below in your own life–you might be surprised to see people around you take interest too.

Consider how environmental sustainability efforts can be implemented at your home, office, school, religious center, or elsewhere in your community.  Are there other people in your town or city who share your interests? Connect with them and make things happen!

Create your own sustainability pledge. Some examples of things that OBCA staff have committed to in 2015 include the following

a. “Bring reusable shopping bags every time I shop or go bagless. Refuse single-use plastic bags.

b. “Attempt to find an item used before buying it new” (try Craigslist, eBay, consignment stores, REI’s Used Gear Sale, freecycle.com, etc.)

c. “String up a laundry line to use every time I do my laundry”

d. “Go meat-free for meals once, twice, or more per week to reduce my water footprint.“

e. “Avoid single-use plates, cutlery, cups, etc. Buy bamboo utensils and a reusable water bottle to carry in case you get a bite to eat while I’m out and about.”

f. “Take a class or workshop in a new skill” (sewing/gear repair, installing rainwater catchment, converting a car to biodiesel – the options are limitless!)

Explore places in new ways – Walk there or try taking the train or bus. Yosemite National Park has an amazing bus system called YARTS that provides incredible, affordable, car-free transportation to one of the country’s most beautiful places.

Have fun with it! Can you compete with a sibling, partner, or friend to see who can take the shortest showers? How about a contest to see which one of you can ride your bike the most days this year? How about challenging your roommate to go vegan and seeing who can last the longest without eating a burger?

Email Caitlin Standish if you have sustainability-related ideas, resources, or contacts to share with OBCA. We love hearing your thoughts and suggestions. If we want to protect this amazing planet we call home it’s going to take all of us!