John Muir’s Birthplace opened in August 2003. From the start we decided to follow green and sustainable principles as far as we were able. We bought materials for our workshops from Scrapstore and charity shops, used Fairtrade tea and coffee and sold locally made and recycled goods in our shop. We also brought green issues to the fore through our museum displays and education work with schools and groups.

In 2007 we earned our Gold Green Tourism Business Scheme Award and were highly commended for our environmental education work.

Staff at John Muir’s Birthplace continue to work towards meeting green goals such as better energy efficiency, reducing our carbon footprint, promoting car sharing, the use of public transport and developing our Green action plan (Jan 2016)

Read our Green Tourism Audit (March 2016).

In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impact, we are constantly reviewing our performance and trying to make improvements in these areas.

Community

We support local environmental organisations such as Fairtrade Dunbar, Sustaining Dunbar and Dunbar Community Woodland Group and work closely with Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace and the John Muir Trust. We can supply a venue for meetings and promote their activities through our noticeboard and website. We also work closely with primary and secondary schools and East Lothian Countryside Ranger Service.

A member of staff is a representative on the John Muir Country Park Advisory Group.

We are a member of the Scottish Museums Climate Network run by Museums Galleries Scotland.