The CaPTA Group of Companies are environmentally responsible tourism operators committed to energy efficiency, environmental management and sustainable best practice throughout their business and tourism operations.

With a keen focus on lessening their impact on the local environment, each company within The CaPTA Groups is building environmental awareness by educating staff and visitors in areas of eco-efficiencies, impacts on the environment and conservation of biodiversity.

Many environmental management initiatives have already been implemented throughout the CaPTA businesses and eco certification has been achieved through the Ecotourism Australia national certification program for products within four of the eight operations to date. The CaPTA Group is keen to advance its environmental credentials and is currently applying to have another three attractions eco certified.

Several important environmental initiatives of note have been underway at the Rainforestation Nature Park, including:

- A waste water treatment facility, developed to treat up to 13,600L/day of raw waste to advanced secondary requirements i.e. clean water. The biocycle system at the Park consists of ten 8,000L treatment tanks with a highly efficient filtration process that digests solid wastes and uses controlled natural processes to purify wastewater. All grey and black water from kitchens and toilets is collected for treatment and the recycled, clean, odourless water released from the system is used to irrigate designated areas of the Park.
- A vermiculture facility, operating for four years. Non-meat kitchen scraps are fed to a large worm farm and worm composting and liquid worm fertiliser is collected and used on Park gardens.
- Various other recycling initiatives are in place throughout the Park for koala leaf, cardboard, cans and kitchen oils with two smaller sewerage treatment facilities also in use. The Desert Cube waterless urinal product is used as a water saving measure and is clean, hygienic and includes microbes to breakdown odours.
- A tree planting programme is offered as part of a group activity at the Park. Approximately 5,000-6,000 trees have been planted to date as part of this initiative.

CaPTA Group’s tours to National Parks and World Heritage listed areas provide interpretation from CaPTA guides on environmental sustainability. When visiting protected areas, guides advise visitors on how to leave less impact on the environment and encourage them to act responsibly when visiting environmentally sensitive areas. Advice includes: keeping to boardwalks and pathways; littering; removal of rubbish and waste; and care for surrounding vegetation and wildlife. Portable ashtrays are also distributed by CaPTA guides for visitor use.

At The Wildlife Habitat at Port Douglas, appreciation of the environment and its biodiversity is a way of life for staff who aim to inspire and motivate their guests to consider their roles in the greater ecological landscape. Quality guided tours also enhance and enrich the visitor experience and all guides go through a formal training programme and further readings are supplied so that guides can deliver consistent, current, relevant and accurate tours.

Water is the lifeblood of the Sanctuary with over 2,000 animals both wild and captive depending on it. Good water management is essential and most of the water used is caught and then recycled back in the form of irrigation for eucalyptus plantations grown for koala browse (food), gardens and turf areas.

Many recycling initiatives are in place throughout the Habitat’s operations. As an example, all kitchen oil waste is contained, collected and recycled as an additive in biodiesel manufacture at the Mossman Mill.

The Wildlife Habitat contributes to conservation by continuing to help scientists develop different strategies to deal with the endangered Cassowary. Birds at the Habitat have been used in research trials to gain information in this area.

The recent successful breeding of a rare species of tree kangaroo at the Habitat is extremely exciting. The Wildlife Habitat is one of only two Zoos in the world that houses the Lumholtz's Tree Kangaroo, which is native to the region. This is one of only two species of tree kangaroo found in Australia and it is hoped the interest generated by this unique birth will promote awareness in the community and develop understanding of the plight of the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo in the wild. The Habitat recently launched a new viewing facility to house the rare baby and its mother and allows visitors a sneak peek into the breeding facilities for the first time.

In October 2007, Tropic Wings was co-winner of the ecoBIZ competition in Cairns – a prize that included flights, accommodation and tickets to ecoBiZ 2007, Queensland’s inaugural business sustainability conference held in Brisbane on 29-30 October 2007.

ecoBIZ is the Environmental Protection Agency’s signature partnership programme with Queensland business and industry, and assists businesses enthusiastic to implement water, waste and energy efficiencies across their operations.

Tropic Wings was selected for its commitment to water and energy conservation and its enthusiasm to adopt new eco-efficiency measures. 

The CaPTA Group Head Office at Hartley Street, Cairns, which incorporates Tropic Wings, RnR White Water Rafting and Jungles Tours and Trekking, is a proud member of the ecoBIZ programme and is working towards receiving full ecoBIZ partner status for the three businesses that operate from the Hartley Street location.