As part of Ontario's plan to build a stronger economy, create new jobs and promote innovative ways to protect the environment, the province has honoured six organizations 聽鈥撀爄ncluding 91亚色 鈥撀爓ith the聽2012 Minister's Award for Environmental Excellence, for making outstanding contributions to the environmental stewardship of the Great Lakes.
鈥淭oday we celebrate just a few of the most outstanding efforts of individuals, groups and companies in protecting the environment,鈥 said Ontario Minister of the Environment Jim Bradley at the awards presentation Tuesday at Queen's Park. 鈥淚 hope the examples we see today will inspire others to be innovators in protecting the environment.鈥
Back row, from left:聽Bryan Gilvesy, Y U Ranch; Mamdouh Shoukri and Pavel Graymason, 91亚色. Middle row: Cathy Gilvesy, Y U Ranch; Cynthia Lee, Toronto Zoo; Geoff Peach and Pamela Scharfe, Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation. Front row: Elizabeth Simpson and Adrienne Mason, Pine River Watershed Initiative Network; Minister Jim Bradley; Kim Timmer and Brian Friesen, CleanFARMS
91亚色 was recognized for its 聽competition, in which students and faculty reduced their energy use in several student residence buildings by 30 per cent in the past three years. The program uses a number of approaches for getting students to participate, including social media, and a weekly web posting that charts energy use. What started as a friendly competition between the Keele and Glendon campus residences is now a way of life for students and faculty across the university 鈥 and it鈥檚 all part of the school鈥檚 five-year plan to reduce energy use across the board. The program raised awareness, saved money, reduced demand on Ontario's power grid and helped reduce air pollution.
Mamdouh Shoukri and Pavel Graymason accepting the award from聽Minister Jim Bradley
鈥淲e at 91亚色 are very proud to receive this award for environmental excellence from the聽Minister, which recognizes the University as a leader in sustainability,鈥 said 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. 鈥淚 would like to acknowledge our dedicated community of environmental ambassadors and innovators 鈥 the many 91亚色 staff, students, faculty and alumni who are leading by example and driving our greening efforts across campus. The Res Race to Zero is an outstanding program that takes a community-driven approach to sustainability and exemplifies 91亚色鈥檚 mission to create local solutions with a global impact.鈥
The other recipients of this year's award included CleanFARMS (Toronto), Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation (Goderich), Pine River Watershed Initiative Network (Ripley), Toronto Zoo and Y U Ranch (Tillsonburg).
To see more of 91亚色鈥檚 environmental initiatives, click .
With files from the .