About — Group One West

Our Vision

A flagship living laboratory of regenerative tourism

Tourism has the power to regenerate ecosystems and communities.

Group One West is building the first hybrid model that combines a world-class resort with a living climate institute. Together, these initiatives will demonstrate how Indigenous knowledge, renewable energy, and hospitality can converge to deliver real climate solutions.

Our Mission

To operate a world-class, carbon-negative coastal eco-resort that delights guests while powering field-scale research and community prosperity.

01

Blending regenerative hospitality with rigorous science

Develop a carbon-negative, energy-positive eco-resort on Vancouver Island. Every room, night, restaurant plate, and adventure outing feeds real-time data to the Climate Research & Cultural Stewardship Institute.

02

Establish the Climate Research and Cultural Stewardship Institute in partnership with First Nations and Canadian universities

Honouring and co-governing with First Nations, embedding Traditional Ecological Knowledge in design, daily operations, and guest learning.

03

Return more than we take

Returning more to the land, water, and sky than we take, through a renewable microgrid, blue-carbon kelp farming, circular food systems, and continuous biome restoration.

04

Advance research

Advance research in renewable microgrids, bioelectricity, and regenerative tourism.

05

Inspire global climate action

Inspire global climate action by sharing open data and scalable solutions.

The hybrid model

A Model with Twin Pathways

Group One West is building the first hybrid model that combines a world-class resort with a living climate and cultural institute.

The Eco-Resort on the pristine West Coast of British Columbia

Group One West is designing a resort that does more than provide comfort — it regenerates. Once built, it will integrate renewable energy systems, food security innovations, and cultural programming into every guest experience.

Planned Features:

250 guest rooms, blending luxury with ecological design.
160 workforce, student, and faculty housing units.
Powered by a renewable microgrid (solar, wind, wave, geothermal, and bioelectricity).
On-site aquaponics and hydroponics systems for food sustainability.
Indigenous-led wellness, adventure, and cultural experiences.

The Climate Research and Cultural Stewardship Institute

A Non-Profit Living Laboratory in Development

The Institute will be co-led with First Nations partners and connected to leading universities.

Its purpose: to advance applied research, education, and climate innovation within a fully operational resort environment.

Planned Focus Areas:

Renewable microgrids and energy storage systems.
Emerging fields like bioelectricity and regenerative tourism.
Food security and circular waste systems.
Education and training programs (K–PhD, global exchange).
Open data dashboards to share research worldwide.

Beyond Sustainability

Our promise, not just our goal

Beyond Sustainability is not just a goal—it is our promise. We will harness tidal, solar, and wind energy in alignment with traditional ecological knowledge to power our resorts. These resorts will adhere to the highest environmental standards, including those outlined by the Integrated Building Adaptation and Mitigation Assessment (IBAMA), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and Passive House Design Principles. Additionally, we commit to the Living Building Design approach, incorporating natural elements like light, air, food systems, and nature to optimise environments for human health and wellness.

Through these efforts, we ensure that construction, maintenance, and operations are environmentally neutral while respecting the land, water, and skies. This balanced integration of innovation and tradition reflects our unwavering dedication to sustainability and respect for the planet and its people.

IBAMALEEDPassive House DesignLiving Building Design

Respect

The 13 moons connect us to all living things

Here on the West Coast, this project is co-led with First Nations partners, grounded in the principles of respect, reciprocity, and relationality. We acknowledge with gratitude that this work takes place on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples whose stewardship of Vancouver Island has endured for millennia. We honour their deep connection to the land, waters, and skies, and their continuing role in caring for these territories.

Guided by Indigenous knowledge systems, we are reminded that the rhythms of the land, the waters, and the 13 moons connect us to all living beings. Humans are not apart from this circle of life. We are an inseparable part of it.

Environmental stewardship is the foundation of this initiative. We are committed to integrating the wisdom of Indigenous worldviews, including the seven-generation principle, into every aspect of the project. Our shared goal is to ensure that the decisions we make today support the health and resilience of future generations.

Group One West's vision centers on community well-being, the protection of ecological integrity, and the revitalization of Indigenous culture and knowledge. Together, we are working to establish a regenerative, carbon-negative eco-tourism model that respects the interconnectedness of all living systems and stands as a living expression of environmental and cultural responsibility.

Inspirational Discoveries

Adventure, learning, and the wisdom of First Peoples

Engaging in activities that combine adventure with learning. Guests can explore hiking trails, cast lines for fishing, paddle through serene waters kayaking, observe majestic whales, soar while paragliding, dive into underwater worlds scuba diving, ride the waves surfing, and more—all while uncovering the profound stories and traditions of the First Peoples.

Our commitment to education and inspiration extends beyond recreation. We are collaborating with the eco-research community and Indigenous knowledge holders to create a groundbreaking cultural, archaeological, ethnoecological, and ecological interpretation centre. This space will offer guests the opportunity to delve into the wisdom of First Peoples, whose traditional knowledge and practices reflect generations of sustainable living deeply connected to the land, sea, and sky.

Through exciting, hands-on activities and adventures, visitors will not only discover the wonders of the local biome and ecosystems but also gain an appreciation for the rich cultural heritage and enduring wisdom of the First Peoples. These unique experiences are designed to inspire awe, foster understanding, and create connections that will resonate long after the journey ends.

Submersible Ocean Explorations

300 metres beneath the surface

Dive 300 meters below the surface in a 3-hour submersible voyage through ancient reefs and vibrant marine life ecosystems.

The Promise

The Promise of Group One West

Set amidst stunning natural beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes, our resort offers a seamless blend of luxury, sustainability, and cultural immersion. Powered entirely by green energy and operating with zero carbon emissions, every aspect of the experience is designed to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit while honoring the environment.

At the heart of this destination lies the Group One West Institute for Climate Research and Cultural Stewardship: a registered nonprofit society and a first-of-its-kind initiative that transforms the resort into a dynamic testbed for climate solutions. This hybrid model unites a luxury eco-resort with a living laboratory where science, Indigenous knowledge, and regenerative design converge. The Institute operates as both a research center and a cultural bridge, co-led with First Nations partners to uphold principles of respect, reciprocity, and relationality.

Guests will enjoy a range of eco-friendly and sustainable activities, from guided wilderness tours and extraordinary discovery adventures to cultural experiences that foster a deep connection with the land and its heritage. These curated offerings are as enriching as they are unforgettable, creating lasting memories and inspiring a renewed appreciation for the natural world.

Beyond traditional indulgences (luxurious spa treatments, an array of exceptional dining experiences, and impeccably designed accommodations) the resort offers purpose-driven programs that align with the vision of the Institute. Visitors can participate in citizen science, conservation work, and interactive learning sessions with researchers and Indigenous knowledge-keepers. Each of these activities is designed to educate, engage, and empower, creating a deeper understanding of how human systems can work in harmony with the planet.

Accommodation options include private, exclusive villas, thoughtfully appointed luxury guest rooms, and fully supported wilderness camping that allows guests to experience the raw beauty of nature without sacrificing comfort. Premium guest services elevate every stay, ensuring a seamless and indulgent experience.

All experiences are expertly guided by local naturalists, historians, researchers, and cultural interpreters who share their extensive knowledge of the region's ecology, innovations, and ancestral wisdom. By weaving together climate science, Indigenous stewardship, and regenerative hospitality, the Group One West resort offers a visionary model of tourism: one that allows guests to not only enjoy nature's luxury but also actively participate in its restoration.

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