British Columbia Institute of Technology
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

The BCIT Office of Sustainability and Center for Ecocities produced and maintains the following social media platforms:

Website URL: https://twitter.com/bcitecocity
Website URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcit-ecocity-centre-of-excellence/about/
Website URL: https://www.instagram.com/bcit_sustainability/

The primary purpose of these platforms is to educate students, staff, faculty, and alumni on current sustainability initiatives on campus, inform followers on upcoming events and other available educational resources, and engage the community with sustainability practices.

Signage used to highlight sustainability features include:
• “Guichon Creek Beneath your Feet” signs spread from the north to south end of campus. Guichon Creek had once been a flourishing ecosystem, and in the 1920’s people would fish for salmon along its banks. But as the area was developed the north end of the creek was culverted and the south end was urbanized and used for drainage. Since the 1970’s students, faculty, the BCIT Rivers Institute and the City of Burnaby have worked to restore the stream. An interpretive sign provides imagery and details on the restoring of this urban stream. Signs along the creek inform about the creek providing salmon habitat. Storm drains have yellow fish painted beside them to remind us that storm drains on campus empty directly into the creek.
https://www.bcit.ca/inspire/priorities/campus-redevelopment/guichon-creek/
• AFRESH Home Sustainable Garden demonstrates sustainable landscape practices which members of BCIT’s community can benefit from, while improving the landscape of the area. The goal in showcasing these approaches is to highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits of these systems and practices. The garden is accompanied with an educational sign that explains the role of each component:
o Reduced energy consumption and waste generation, through a rain garden, rain barrel, native plants and composting
o Creation of habitat for wildlife and pollinators, introduction of mason bees and companion plants
o Maximized production for small spaces by installing raised bed gardens and vertical gardens.
https://commons.bcit.ca/factorfour/2015/07/12/afresh-home-sustainable-garden/
• Rain garden areas have signs describing how the garden was designed to slow runoff water to remove sediment, break down contaminants and to allow recharging of local groundwater reserves.
• The Energy OASIS (Open Access to Sustainable Intermittent Sources) project demonstrates solutions that could be employed to help reduce the impact of fast-charging on the electric grid. There is detailed signage about its integrated system of Parking Canopy structures, canopy mounted Solar Panels, Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers, and Energy Storage.
https://www.bcit.ca/applied-research/smart-microgrid/projects/energy-oasis/
• BCIT is committed to promoting the use of sustainable travel to help faculty, staff and students adopt a more sustainable commute. Bike Repair Stations have been installed and include a bike stand, foot pump and repair tools hanging on cables and instructions on bike repair. The Burnaby campus has information on how to use a public transit bus bike rack as well as an actual bike rack where cyclists can practice loading and unloading away from traffic.
• Factor Four walking tour signage (for more information please see the walking tour described below).

The Factor Four initiative on the Burnaby campus is exploring whether a fourfold (75%) reduction in materials and energy use can be achieved without compromising service levels (building occupant health and comfort and educational program delivery). The work of Factor Four is organized around three components – energy, materials, and restoration. In order to achieve this we are:
• investing in projects that increase energy efficiency and produce energy from renewable sources
• reducing materials consumption by changing curriculum delivery methods and diverting waste away from landfills, and
• leading restoration projects intended to improve the ecological health of the area

A self-guided tour brochure and map are available online for anyone interested in walking the Factor Four area to witness first hand the numerous projects implemented. The guide includes 15 different locations with signage that provide more information on our buildings and projects. A guided tour of the area and a more specific tour of the demonstration house can also be booked.

https://commons.bcit.ca/factorfour/2019/12/04/self-guided-tour-of-factor-four/
https://commons.bcit.ca/afresh/

As a feature of the BCIT Sustainability website, students, staff, faculty and more have the opportunity to provide feedback for a sustainable BCIT. The short survey allows feedback, suggestions and questions to be made on sustainability in Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Governance/Administration.

Website URL: https://www.bcit.ca/sustainability/sustainability-contacts/feedback/

BCIT additionally provides students, staff, and faculty with a source for individuals to calculate their ecological footprint, BCIT's commitments to footprint reductions, as well as a look at BCIT's Ecological Footprint in the past.

Website URL: https://www.bcit.ca/sustainability/community/ecological-footprint/

The Sustainability Office has a group on our internal communication platform "The Loop" for staff participating in efforts to advance sustainability across the Institute.