ABOUT
Vancouver Island is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We recognize that we need change in the world to protect the places we love. Our business community cares deeply about making a positive impact in our every day decisions. Together, we can reduce single use plastics, water consumption, energy use, waste and carbon emissions while also having a positive impact on our communities.
VIGBC members are leaders in green business practices and together, we are raising the bar. Checklists for each sector are full of actions we can take to make a difference. Each business is certified to levels Silver, Gold or Green based on the number of actions they have implemented.
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Members who achieve Green Status three years in a row will qualify for our bi-yearly Green Leaders Renewal Program. At this point, the certification will take place every second year rather than annually and we will waive the certification fee on non-certification years. Learn more here.
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In addition to the VIGBC ranking, businesses also have the opportunity to become an Ocean Friendly Business by completing all Surfrider actions on your designated checklist. These action focus on reducing single use plastics
Synergy Foundation is a registered non-profit society, focused on facilitating the shift towards a green economy through programs and idea incubation. Our core programs include the Vancouver Island Green Business Collective, the Ecostar Awards, the Food Eco District, and Project Zero. We are a collaborative, do-er organization, focused on outcomes and mobilizing knowledge into action.
​Our Mission: To share ideas, spark innovation and activate change to steer our economy and communities towards a more regenerative future.
“We take big ideas and turn them into reality."
SURFRIDER VANCOUVER ISLAND
Surfrider Vancouver Island is the local chapter of the international Surfrider Foundation, based out of California. They are a collection of like-minded Vancouver Island coastal inhabitants working on coastal protection and preservation. Their mission is to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network.
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In 2016, Surfrider Vancouver Island has partnered with the Vancouver Island Green Businesses Certification (VIGBC) program to launch a new campaign that links businesses to responsible actions that will help keep our local beaches and waterways clean.
SUPPORTERS
Thank you to the following for their continued support!
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MEET THE TEAM
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Jill Doucette
Executive Director
Home town: Grand Forks, BC
Last trip: Mexico City
Favourite activity: Birdwatching
Board game: Ticket to Ride
Go to meal: Seafood linguine
Karaoke song: What's Going On
Currently watching: Anthony Bourdain's Places Unknown
Dream job as a kid: Insect biologist
Find me: Running on Gorge Waterway with my chocolate lab
Green goal: Introducing more plant-based proteins into my diet
Jen Fraser
Program Lead
Home town: Victoria, BC
Last trip: Oregon Coast
Favourite activity: Soccer
Board game: Catchphrase
Go to meal: Baja fish tacos
Karaoke song: Man! I Feel Like a Woman
Currently watching: Designated Survivor
Dream job as a kid: Screenwriter
Find me: On the soccer field
Green goal: Shop conscious - support local & ethical
Georgia Lavender
Verifier
Home town: Flesherton, ON
Last trip: Fernie, BC
Favourite activity: Yoga
Board game: Monopoly
Go to meal: Red Thai curry
Karaoke song: Don't Stop Believin'
Currently watching: Westworld
Dream job as a kid: Firefighter
Find me: On the local mountain biking trails or in the yoga studio
Green goal: Supporting businesses in the circular economy & B Corps
Jill Doucette
Executive Director
Home town: Grand Forks, BC
Favourite activity: Birdwatching
Favourite board game: Ticket to Ride
Go to meal: Seafood linguine
Favourite hike: East Sooke Park
Currently listening to: Sierra Club BC's Mission Transition: Clean Energy and Beyond
Dream job as a kid: Insect biologist
Find me: Running on Gorge Waterway with my chocolate lab
Green goal: Introducing more plant-based proteins into my diet
Jen Fraser
Program Lead
Home town: Victoria, BC
Favourite activity: Soccer
Favourite board game: Codenames
Go to meal: Baja fish tacos
Favourite hike: Sooke Hills
Currently listening to: How I Built This Podcast
Dream job as a kid: Fashion Designer
Find me: Adventuring with my dog
Green goal: More vegetarian meals
Georgia Lavender
Verifier
Home town: Flesherton, ON
Favourite activity: Mountain Biking
Favourite board game: Yahtzee
Go to meal: Veggie Burrito Bowls
Favourite hike: East Sooke Park - Coast Trail
Currently listening to: Overheard at National Geographic
Dream job as a kid: Firefighter
Find me: Outside in nature :)
Green goal: Eliminating single-use plastics from my cosmetics routine
Brianna Stewart
Verifier
Home town: Victoria, BC
Favourite activity: Travelling
Favourite board game: Mexican Train (Dominos)
Go to meal: Any sort of Asian soup - Pho, Tom Kha Gai, Ramen
Favourite hike: East Sooke Park
Currently listening to: Rabbit Hole by the New York Times
Dream job as a kid: Veterinarian
Find me: Walking the dog or sitting on a patio
Green goal: Support local purveyors, farmers and sustainable restaurants
Ellie Gilchrist
Verifier
Home town: Milk River, AB
Favourite activity: Skiing (So hard to choose...)
Favourite game: Backcountry Crib
Go to meal: Kale Salad with Roasted Acorn Squash and Feta
Favourite hike: Mt Tzouhalem
Currently listening to: Home Cooking by Samin Nosrat and Hrishi Hirway
Dream job as a kid: Architect
Find me: Swimming at Dallas Beach
Green goal: Growing my own food
Rico
Director of Office Morale
Home town: Victoria, BC
Favourite activity: Laying under my coworkers' desks until they scratch me and tell me I'm cute
Go to meal: The stuffing from my toys
Karaoke song: Mo Money Mo Problems - Notorious D.O.G.
Dream job as a puppy: Photogenic Model
Find me: Running on the Gorge with my human
Green goal: Contribute to local wood decomposition (a.k.a. chew more sticks)