From left: Andrew Powell MP, Minister for Environment & Heritage Protection, Alan Curtis Daintree Discovery Centre, Jann Stuckey MP, Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games.

The Daintree Discovery Centre has been recognized in winning the Small Business category at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards held in Brisbane last Friday the 14^th June 2013.

The award was presented to the Discovery Centre’s Alan Curtis by Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Minister Jann Stuckey.

‘The Centre has demonstrated it is a high achiever and a leader in adopting sustainability practices that reduce its environmental impact and strengthen its commercial viability’ said Ms Stuckey. ‘It sets high standards and receives $2,500 to support sustainable initiatives and everyone involved in the Centre is to be commended for their efforts’.

In accepting the award, an elated Alan Curtis thanked the team at the Discovery Centre and owners / directors Ron and Pam Birkett who are currently abroad.

‘We’re thrilled to be recognized in this way. Everything we do at the Discovery Centre reinforces the need to preserve the Daintree Rainforest. We have elevated walkways designed to protect the fragile root systems, Interpretive displays that foster environmental sustainability and we models best practice in water conservation, waste management, recycling and eco-friendly design’

He also added ‘We are a carbon neutral business since establishing our Carbon Offset / Bio-sequestration project in 2007, and we sponsor Carbon Flux research by James Cook University. The Centre is also one of 10 environmental research Supersites that form the Australian Supersite Network collecting scientific data across various ecosystems’.

The multi award winning Discovery Centre is a world-class interpretive facility nestled in the heart of the Daintree rainforest, just 10 kilometres north of the Daintree River and boasts a spectacular Aerial Walkway leading to a 23m high Canopy Tower. Certified since 1999 by Ecotourism Australia, this Green Travel Leader currently holds Advanced Ecotourism, ROC and Climate Action Business certifications.

The tower provides viewing of the very top of the rainforest canopy, while the walkway allows unprecedented access to the mid level rainforest.  For international visitors, Self-guided Audio Tours are available in 8 languages.

For more information, please visit the Daintree Discovery Centre website.

For more information about ECO, ROC and Climate Action certification programs, visit our website.