Facilitate Research
Research into energy and waste management at off-grid mountain facilities has been slow to emerge. It is a specialized area of research and there is still a certain amount of taboo particularly around managing human waste. BEES primary goal is to facilitate this research and communicate solutions to the stakeholders so they can make informed choices.
Cost Savings
BEES identifies functional and economical solutions. The collaborative process results in cost savings when stakeholders pool resources and information sharing reduces duplication of research.
Environmental Protection
The solutions generated by BEES foster and encourage the responsible management of public and private lands. These environmentally appropriate solutions respect environmental integrity, sustainability, life cycle costing, aesthetics, and user needs.
Human Health Protection
Backcountry facilities pose unique challenges in providing hygienic conditions for human occupancy. Improvements can be made in restricting the spread of infections, whether brought to the facility by staff and/or clients, or infections and pathogens generated by improper food preparation, personal hygiene and black or grey water management.
Reduce Fossil Fuel Use
Fossil fuels such as diesel, propane and helicopter fuels are not sustainable. BEES develops and makes recommendations for using renewable energy sources where feasible such as solar, micro-hydro, and wind power.
Share Information
BEES seeks to share its information and encourages others to contribute. BEES facilitates communication between backcountry operators, land managers, the public, technology experts, funding providers, and researchers.