The phrase “Walking Softly in the Wilderness”, has always been a guiding principal for the lifestyle, and approach to developing Paddlers Inn; although sometimes we do make some noise.
The primary purpose of Paddlers Inn is to provide people with safe and comfortable access to experiences in a wilderness environment, so that the connection between nature and self is nourished, hopefully leading to individual fulfillment, and environmental stewardship.
Bruce spent most of his adult springs & falls (no pun intended), planting trees, hundreds of thousands of them, in BC’s beleaguered forest lands, seeking employment that contributed to the environment, rather than exploiting it. He planted, managed, and eventually ran his own silviculture contracting company, offering high quality, pesticide free, forestry management, and high paying job opportunities for locals.
The homestead and guest buildings have been built over a lifetime, using local kayak salvaged drift logs that have been milled here by Billy Proctor, or by Bruce at the Sointula Woodlot sawmill.
Some buildings are new, and there are several buildings, and some materials that have been re-purposed. The main homestead building was built in the early 1900’s, and the Float house Lodge used to be the community church called Living Waters Chapel.
We have been recycling forever, and are pleased that we can now drop materials off in the North Island, rather than hauling it all down-island as we had done for decades. Our main building is substantially solar powered, and many of our tools are battery rechargeable, and so we only run a small generator when we absolutely need to. We cherish the quiet of nature, as well as the thundering storms...
We do shop organic, sustainable, and as local as possible, even if it costs a bit more, to support our north island economy and community, and we try to avoid purchasing anything that is environmentally toxic. We use as little fuel as we possibly can, and all of the cleaning products we use are environmentally friendly & biodegradable.
As the Inn has become more financially viable, we have looked for ways to improve our facility, as well as share our revenue with other people and projects that could use assistance.
We agree with the concept of "1% for the planet" and that donating 1% (of our gross income) directly to organizations that do "environmentally positive work" is a great idea, and so we look for organizations that we would like to assist, there are so many to choose from! Supporting us helps us "pay it forward" to these great organizations.
Prioritizing our local B.C. environment and communities is a guiding principal influencing which organizations are supported. “In kind” support is provided as much as possible to surrounding First Nation communities and initiatives.
In 2023 Bruce offered acupressure massage sessions at Gilford Village, and at the Nawalakw Retreat Center, and hosted a multi day healing retreat for First Nations participants at the lodge. Our combined cash and in-kind donations totaled more than 2% of our gross income. This is double the industry standard, and especially important as it seems financial and environmental pressures are steadily increasing.
Orca-Lab:
OrcaLab research is land based as a matter of philosophy… research without interference. The approach works well in our area, with its many waterways & relatively small distances. OrcaLab’s location on Hanson Island at Blackney Pass is perfectly central. OrcaLab was my stepping stone between life in Vancouver and here in the Broughton’s, when I care-took the site alone for 5 winter months in 1979. I am forever grateful.
Mers:
The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to promoting conservation and understanding of marine ecosystems through scientific research, environmental education, and marine wildlife response. We incorporated in 2010 and are based on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia in the Territory of the Kwakwala-speaking Peoples.
Clayoquot Action:
Clayoquot Action is a Tofino-based conservation society committed to protecting the biocultural diversity of Clayoquot Sound. Our goals are accomplished through public education, citizen research and monitoring, and advocacy. Clayoquot Action stands for democratic rights, Indigenous Rights and the Rights of Mother Earth.
http://www.https://clayoquotaction.org/
Wilderness Committee:
Together, we’re working tirelessly to protect life giving biological diversity in Canada through strategic research and grassroots public education.
https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/
Sierra Club:
Sierra Club BC inspires generations to defend nature and confront climate change, so families, communities and the natural world can prosper together.
BC Marine Trails Org:
Advocating for and creating public access to all of BC’s coastline [for non-powered craft].
Prioritizing our local B.C. environment and communities is a guiding principal influencing which organizations are supported. "In kind" support is provided as much as possible to surrounding First Nation communities. In 2022 Bruce offered acupressure massage sessions at Gilford Village, and hosted a multi day FN woman's healing retreat at the lodge, as well as offering professional advise regarding tourism activities and potentials.
OrcaLab research is land based as a matter of philosophy… research without interference. The approach works well in our area, with its many waterways & relatively small distances. OrcaLab’s location on Hanson Island at Blackney Pass is perfectly central. OrcaLab was my stepping stone between life in Vancouver and here in the Broughton's, when I care-took the site alone for 5 winter months in 1979. I am forever grateful.
The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to promoting conservation and understanding of marine ecosystems through scientific research, environmental education, and marine wildlife response. We incorporated in 2010 and are based on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia in the Territory of the Kwakwala-speaking Peoples.
Recognizing the importance of connection between people, local economy, and ecosystems, S2C focuses on youth and community initiatives, carnivore conservation, and salmon conservation. Programs through these principle "pillars" are done collaboratively with community and conservation partners in the Broughton Archipelago. We have offered in-kind support to their "Youth Paddle Program".
Clayoquot Action is a Tofino-based conservation society committed to protecting the biocultural diversity of Clayoquot Sound. Our goals are accomplished through public education, citizen research and monitoring, and advocacy. Clayoquot Action stands for democratic rights, Indigenous Rights and the Rights of Mother Earth.
http://www.https://clayoquotaction.org/
Together, we're working tirelessly to protect life giving biological diversity in Canada through strategic research and grassroots public education.
https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/
Sierra Club BC inspires generations to defend nature and confront climate change, so families, communities and the natural world can prosper together.
Advocating for and creating public access to all of BC’s coastline [for non-powered craft].
Mosqoy is a grassroots organization that works towards global sustainability and resilience by empowering local culture. We work with rural Quechua populations in the Andean mountains of Peru. We believe in empowering local communities through international solidarity and networking, sharing stories of celebration, struggle, and strength.
Bruce tries whenever possible to give the lodge refundable recyclables to people who he recognizes as "dumpster divers" looking for refundable's in Port McNeill. They sure appreciated this, and it's easy to see who needs the help, and who's perhaps less in need [arriving in a car], and at the same time he recognizes that it's way easier for Bruce to return the refundable's and then just give the money, [making sure it's at least $20], to the person who most visibly looks peacefully in need... that's direct action!
There are so many issues before us, and so many organizations that need our support, financial and hands on! In 2020 Bruce planned, financed, presented, and billeted speakers from The Sierra Club & the Wilderness Committee to join him in offering a public meeting in Sointula to discuss the unfortunate and unsustainable forestry practices taking place in BC.
In 2021 during a province-wide day of "action" Bruce performed a "healing ceremony" on the steps of the Port McNeill Forest Service Office. Bruce also spends many hours writing and calling Gov't representatives and forestry officials to voice his concerns.
In 2021 Bruce began offering Jin Shin Do acupressure & Hakomi Body-mind counselling sessions at the near-by First Nations village, which was well received, and hopefully becomes an ongoing relationship. Cash and/ or in-kind support has been provided to the following organizations in 2021:
Advocating for and creating public access to all of BC’s coastline [for non-powered craft]. www.bcmarinetrails.org
Sierra Club BC inspires generations to defend nature and confront climate change, so families, communities and the natural world can prosper together. https://sierraclub.bc.ca/
Together, we're working tirelessly to protect life giving biological diversity in Canada through strategic research and grassroots public education. https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/
Clayoquot Action is a Tofino-based conservation society committed to protecting the biocultural diversity of Clayoquot Sound. Our goals are accomplished through public education, citizen research and monitoring, and advocacy. Clayoquot Action stands for democratic rights, Indigenous Rights and the Rights of Mother Earth. www.https://clayoquotaction.org/
This is the movement to stop the logging of intact ancient forests in Fairy Creek, on Vancouver Island, where more than 1100 people have been arrested and abused by industry motivated police forces, who are acting against the wishes of the people, governments failed promise's, and common sense in a climate crisis...Funds are being used to support on-the-ground actions as well as on going legal actions and costs. https://fundrazr.com/last_stand_for_forests?ref=ab_4AJXQ4_ab_a4m
This is a First Nations action by hereditary chiefs toward self governance and autonomy, to stop oil & gas exploitation in their territory, in the face of Canadian militarized police action, UNDRIP, and our current climate crisis. http://www.https:yintahaccess.com
This non-profit independent journalism organisation is one of the best for reporting on important [environmental and social rights] issues for Canadians. http://www.https://thenarwhal.ca
In 2021 Bruce hired a "housekeeper" to help operate the lodge, paying her well above what is considered a "normal" wage, and topped that up with a substantial financial bonus. If Covid has taught us one thing, it's what are actually our "essential services", and are they compensated appropriately.
In 2021 Bruce tried whenever possible to give the lodge refundable recyclables to people who he recognized as "dumpster divers" looking for refundable's in Port McNeill. They sure appreciated this, and after awhile he realized who needed the help, and who we're perhaps less in need, and at the same time realized that it's way easier for Bruce to return the refundable's and then just give the money, [making sure it's at least $20], to the person who most visibly looks peacefully in need... that's direct action!
I used to delete each years donation support info when I added the next year, so unfortunately there's no info past here.
