Orange is the new green!

Orange is the new green!

This November Stray literally ‘walked the talk’ as an environmentally sustainable travel company, when the staff visited Tiritiri Matangi Island to collect rubbish, dig pot holes and assist with track maintenance on their annual ‘Environmental Day.’

Stray was the first adventure bus operator to be awarded the Qualmark Enviro Gold Award (New Zealand Tourisms official mark of quality) for initiative in environmentally sustainable tourism.

Tiritiri Matangi is a wildlife sanctuary and DOC conservation project located just 90 minutes by ferry from Auckland, home to birds, butterflies, gecko and other wildlife; however, the islands close proximity to the big smoke means it is prone to accumulating litter from the city.

In true Stray style the Strayers mucked-in, helped clear tracks and dug holes before enjoying a guided tour of the bush and wildlife, where they encountered endemic and native birdlife including the beautiful Bellbird and tiny Rifleman.

“A personal highlight for me was to hear the haunting song of the Kokako, said to be the most beautiful birdsong in the world. Another high point was to observe the whitehead or Mohoua which is endemic to the North Island. I had only become aware of the existence of this species a mere two weeks earlier when observing the picture on the back of our $100 bill,” says Eileen Cameron (Keys), Strays environmental ambassador.

Cameron raised funds for this year’s Environmental Day by recycling Stray driver’s old mobile phones with a company that works with developing countries.

“By recycling our old driver phones, we raised approximately half of the expenses for this year's Enviro Day and the rest was generously donated by Stray,” says Cameron.

Other Stray environmental initiatives include: a monthly clean-up day named ‘Polish my Pipi’, tree planting at The Barn in Abel Tasman National Park, sponsorship of ten pest traps at Blue Duck Station in Whakahoro and the use of fuel efficient vehicles, just to name a few.

Just another way Stray continues to ensure customers and crew have the maximum positive impact on local communities and minimum negative impact on the environment. Orange it the new green!

ENDS

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