Overall Rating | Silver |
---|---|
Overall Score | 62.69 |
Liaison | Christina Olsen |
Submission Date | Aug. 20, 2024 |
British Columbia Institute of Technology
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
1.60 / 2.00 |
Central sustainability website
Website URL for the central sustainability website:
Sustainability newsletter or social media platform
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter or social media platform:
The BCIT Sustainability Office and Center for Ecocities produced and maintains the following social media platforms:
Website URL: https://www.instagram.com/bcit_sustainability/
Website URL: https://twitter.com/bcitecocity
Website URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bcit-ecocity
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.
The Factor Four Initiative explores improving sustainability and reducing materials and energy by 75% in the Factor Four Area on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcitfactorfour/
Signage
A brief description of the signage that highlights sustainability features on 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.
- A Rewilding and Restoration sign is located at the south end of the creek where it enters the campus. The sign highlights the ecological restoration of parking lot O (see Points of Distinction for more information) and the upgraded culvert with improved fish habitat. QR codes are provided to access more information on these projects and to this video on daylighting the creek: https://vimeo.com/394551883.
- “Guichon Creek Beneath your Feet” signs spread from the north to south end of campus.
- Storm drains have yellow fish painted beside them to remind us that storm drains on campus empty directly into the creek.
More information: https://www.bcit.ca/inspire/priorities/campus-redevelopment/guichon-creek/
The Indigenous Garden features signs describing the plants in the garden and their use by Indigenous peoples. Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcit/51999125682/in/album-72177720298066183/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcit/52000137866/in/album-72177720298066183/
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:
- Reduced energy consumption and waste generation, through a rain garden, rain barrel, native plants and composting
- Creation of habitat for wildlife and pollinators, introduction of mason bees and companion plants
- 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.
Land Management signs provide information on how BCIT manages invasive species and highlights native plants, forest edibles and wildlife poles. QR codes are provided to access more information.
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/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).
Sustainability map or tour
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
There are three different maps that enhance student and community learning about sustainability on the Burnaby campus:
- Factor Four self-guided tour and map
- Edible Garden Foraging map
- Guichon Creek trail map
1. Factor Four
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/
2. Edible Garden Foraging map
BCIT has a network of edible gardens. Planting fruit trees, and other edible plants is part of the strategy to encourage pollinators like bees and birds. This supports biodiversity as well as providing foraging opportunities for those on campus.
One of the highlights is the Indigenous Garden opened in 2022. The tiered garden provides a dedicated area to cultivate a range of Indigenous plants and is also built to be a peaceful green space for students and staff to enjoy. More information the Indigenous Garden: https://commons.bcit.ca/news/2022/05/indigenous-garden/
The foraging map can be downloaded at: https://www.bcit.ca/files/facilities/pdf/edible_gardens_map_2023.pdf
3. Guichon Creek trail map
The trails around Guichon Creek are well-graded, gravel walks through different habitats beside the creek. The numbered points on the map highlight points of interest and resting areas along the walk. The map and details of each point of interest are found on the Guichon Creek website: https://www.bcit.ca/facilities/facilities-services/grounds-landscaping/guichon-creek/
Green living guide
A brief description of the guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Optional Fields
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. The link to the survey can be found at the bottom of this webpage: https://www.bcit.ca/sustainability/
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: 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.
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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