#EarthDay at Algonquin College

Posted on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020

Today, April 22nd, is Earth Day, a day where we reflect on our own ecological footprints, and look at the different ways we can help support the environment. We have put together some of the College’s favourite sustainability initiatives, and while we all may currently be practising physical distancing, there are still plenty of ways to get involved and help care for the planet.

Earth day at ACShoreline Cleanup at Britannia Beach with the World Wildlife Foundation

Every year, Algonquin College volunteers take to the shorelines around the city for a cleanup day, part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a national conservation program that provides Canadians the opportunity to take action in their communities wherever water meets land, one bit of trash at a time. A big thank you to Olivia Routliffe, Rebecca Sun, Dale Chimirri, and Charles Nasmith for the assistance!

Earth day at ACAC Cleans the Capital

Over the past years, students at Algonquin College have donned their rubber gloves and work boots, and set our to ensure the Nation’s Capital remains green! The Community Projects team set out to clean up OC Transpo’s Baseline Station, Park and Ride, and the surrounding green spaces. This is part of the Glad Cleaning the Capital initiative, a citywide cleanup campaign that occurs in the spring and fall of every year. Residents come together as a community and combine efforts to make our city clean and green.

World Water DayWorld Water Day at Algonquin College

World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day that highlights the importance of freshwater and advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. In 2019, Algonquin College invited students to partake in a Water Ceremony hosted by indigenous Elder Josie Whiteduck, engage with Guest speakers Catherine Paquette from the World Wildlife Foundation & Matt Hoar from Flow Water, browse sustainability-related resources and create a bio-degradable 3D snowflake unique to a date of birth. Thank you to Olivia Routliffe, Kathryn Reilander, Nathaniel Parant, Rebecca Sun, Matthew Jerabek, and Erika Hille for your help.

Algonquin College Partners with Siemens CanadaAlgonquin College Partners with Siemens Canada for a Greener Tomorrow

Algonquin College recently signed 20-year Energy Savings Contract (ESCO) with Siemens Canada, meaning Algonquin College’s Ottawa campus will use less energy and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, cut its non-critical maintenance debt (also known as ‘deferred maintenance’) by up to one-half, and provide new research opportunities for Algonquin College students. This multi-phase project is examining renewable energy opportunities, power generation retrofits, and various other energy efficient renovations with a target of projected energy savings and revenue of $3.7 million annually once all phases have been completed.

AC Green leader: Talloires Declaration AC Green leader: Talloires Declaration

Algonquin College launched Canada’s first Bachelor of Building Science program was introduced in the fall of 2013. It embodies many of the 10 action points outlined in the Talloires Declaration such as, “Establish programs to produce expertise in environmental management, sustainable economic development, population, and related fields to ensure that… graduates are environmentally literate and have the awareness and understanding to be ecologically responsible citizens.” This theoretical and applied program was designed to bridge all facets of building design, construction, human comfort, and sustainability.

Campus Tree PlantingCampus Tree Planting May 2018

Algonquin College’s Perth Campus is getting “greener” each year, and in May 2018, these “greener” steps were witnessed with a tree planting project that lays the foundations of a future arboretum envisioned for the site.

Students and employees joined together to plant a series of native trees selected specifically for the unique site conditions of being in the flood plain of the Tay River.
This project is helped kick off Algonquin College’s participation in the WWF Canada Living Planet @ Campus program and is a collaborative effort between campuses, and the departments of Student Support Services, and Applied Science and Environmental Technology. A big thank you to Olivia Routliffe, Rebecca Sun, Tara-Lee Ferguson, Jennifer Burke, Dan Cuddy, Holly Dole, Steve Neumann, and Tom Wingreen for the support!

 

You can learn more about Algonquin College’s many sustainability initiatives here.

 


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