The Humber Arboretum is continuing to push the boundaries of sustainable development. The Centre for Urban Ecology is the first in Ontario to be awarded a Platinum Certification level from the new provincial EcoCentres program.
EcoCentre designation is awarded to education centres that have completed every component of the process checklist.
“The EcoCentre certification process doesn’t only focus on the building operations,” said Darryl Gray, Manager, Education, Toronto and Region Conservation. “It also looks at how people work in the building, the student learning experience, and accessibility.”
The award was received at the Humber hosted event by Arboretum director, Melanie Sifton, who acknowledged the hard work of staff and students throughout the nine-month certification process
“We’re honoured to be getting this award,” said Sifton. “It’s meant a lot of collaboration between staff and students. It proves that our Centre has been implementing and promoting sustainable practices from the start.”
Humber's Sustainable Energy and Building Technology student, Graeme McKenzie, played a key role in the carbon neutrality component of the certification.
“I had the opportunity to assist in the process through my workstudy,” said McKenzie. “Being in Humber’s Sustainable program gave me that opportunity.”
