Press Release:
West Coast Sustainable Tourism Association Announces 2024 Distribution of Funds to Support Local Communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Coast Sustainable Tourism Association Announces 2024 Distribution of Funds to Support Local Communities and Stewardship Initiatives
Cheque Presentation to the Long Beach Golf Course
Tofino, B.C. – June 3, 2025 – West Coast Sustainable Tourism Association (WCSTA) is proud to announce the distribution of $288,432.00 in funds to a variety of community-based organizations and initiatives on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. These funds, raised through sustainable tourism partnerships and visitor contributions in 2024, are being reinvested directly into projects that support environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, community well-being, and sustainable development in the region.
WCSTA, established in 2023, is an innovative partnership model, which involves partnering hotels and accommodation providers donating a self imposed 1% fee on their room revenue to the association's cause. This collaborative effort has yielded significant financial resources ($246,650 in 2023 and $288,432 in 2024) empowering WCSTA to make a tangible difference in the communities it serves.
This year’s funding recipients include a diverse group of local beneficiaries, each playing a vital role in maintaining the integrity, resilience, and unique character of the West Coast. Supported initiatives include:
Tofino Fire Society – $50,000 funding towards the purchase of a fire fighting training structure, these funds will be specifically earmarked toward creating hallways, stairwells and standpipe features to replicate conditions like those found in hotel and resort structures.
Tofino Surf Lifesaving Club - support part-time wages for Program Coordinators to create and manage club membership, create Beach Ambassador training program – a public education campaign focused on teaching beachgoers how to enjoy the ocean responsibly and safely, cover members' surf lifesaving training costs, support general operating expenses, and purchase start-up equipment to facilitate club practices.
Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum – funds to create three engaging and educational historical exhibitions for the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum, significantly enhancing the visitor experience and promoting sustainable tourism on the west coast. These exhibitions will be movable, with pictures and text printed on vinyl sheets that can be easily stored and rotated. Exhibition focus: History of Fort Defiance, History of Mining in Clayoquot Sound, History of Tofino Airport.
Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre Association – funds to cover cost of installing mirrors, speakers and barres for dance lessons, and adding a barn door to protect the grand piano.
Wickaninnish Community School Food Program – support for Fulltime Employee Cost to expand capacity of breakfast & lunch program.
Redd Fish Restoration Society – support for Indigenous summer student support which covers training, wages and other associated costs for a fulltime position.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 65 – funds to upgrade lighting to LED fixtures from current fluorescent ones, replace 2 fire doors,
Long Beach Golf Course – funds to purchase 30 new sets of junior golf clubs & cover transportations costs to support the new Junior Golf Program.
Westcoast Community Resources Society – support for operational funding; Portion of rent, staff and operating costs.
Ucluelet Aquarium – funds for the Salmon Trail, a self-led educational adventure spanning Ucluelet and Tofino, featuring six interactive stations that highlight the vital role of Pacific salmon in marine and freshwater ecosystems. The funds will be allocated to staff time, printing costs, market fees, fuel, marketing, and design costs.
Tofino Market Society –funding to support a portion of staffing costs to run the Market.
Tofino Community Food Initiative – funds to support staff wages and plant + soil costs to maintain the school garden in summer.
Clayoquot Biosphere Trust – funds to support of multiple grants supporting: Rising Tides, Carving on the Edge, Coastal Queer Alliance, Maaqtusiis Elementary School, Pacific Rim Hospice, Ucluelet Secondary School, West Coast Multiplex, Wickaninnish Community School, Ucluelet Elementary School.
"These funds represent the collective commitment of our partners, community members, and visitors who believe in the long-term sustainability of our coastal communities,” said J.J.Belanger, President of WCSTA. “It’s about more than tourism — it’s about giving back to the land, waters, and people that make this region so remarkable."
Through strategic collaboration with local businesses, First Nations, nonprofits, and government stakeholders, the WCSTA continues to ensure that tourism growth on the West Coast aligns with regenerative practices and community priorities. The 2024 distribution reflects WCSTA’s mission to create a tourism economy that benefits everyone — socially, culturally, environmentally, and economically.
For more information about WCSTA and a full list of beneficiaries, please visit https://wcsta.ca/
About West Coast Sustainable Tourism Association:
The West Coast Sustainable Tourism Association (WCSTA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices and community development in Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives, WCSTA works to preserve natural and cultural heritage while fostering economic opportunities for local communities.
Media Contact:
Rob Renna
Executive Director, West Coast Sustainable Tourism Association
Shawna Gardham
SGPR Connects
604.928.5013
Note to Editors: Photos and additional materials are available upon request.
