NIAGARA COLLEGE
Niagara College recognized as a top performer for sustainability

Niagara College continues to shine among the STARS when it comes to sustainability.

The College has been recognized as a top performer in the 2019 Sustainable Campus Index. A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall, and in 17 impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). With more than 900 participating institutions, STARS is the leading tool for measuring higher education sustainability performance.

Listed among AAESHE's top 10 performers from associate colleges, NC ranked ninth overall and earned a STARS silver rating. NC achieved a third place ranking in the area of Wellbeing and Work, with a score of 86.6%. Wellbeing and Work highlights how colleges and universities can bolster the strength of their communities through student and employee wellness, health and safety programs, and other benefits.

"We are happy to recognize Niagara College for its leadership in advancing sustainability," said AASHE's executive director Meghan Fay Zahniser. "I'm grateful for the work being done by this institution to help move society toward a more equitable and sustainable future."

NC last submitted to STARS in 2016 and achievements noted in its submission letter included:

• A reduction in overall absolute electricity consumption by almost two million kilowatt hours since 2013, and over four million kilowatt hours saved per year since 2013 as a result of energy conservation projects;
• An increase in waste diversion rate of over 32% since 2009;
• The  Greatest Greenhouse Gas Reduction award from Niagara Sustainability initiative in 2015;
• The establishment of a formal partnership with General Motors St. Catharines facility, Earth Force, the District School Board of Niagara to facilitate the GM Global Rivers Environmental Education Network; and
• The installation of two aquaponics systems, as a result of funding awarded from the Natural science and Engineering Research council of Canada.

NC sustainability advisor Taryn Wilkinson noted that the College has been working to develop a multi-campus sustainability program since 2009. Its numerous sustainability milestones include the installation of a solar array and geothermal heat pump in 2011; the implementation of a College-wide water bottle ban in 2012; its inaugural BioBlitz in 2015 (which continues annually), the opening of its Green Automotive Lab in 2016 and more. NC's sustainability achievements include prestigious Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary certification at the NOTL Campus in 2017, and a STARS silver ratings in 2017 and 2018, and a STARS bronze rating in 2013

Building on its strong history of sustainability practices and achievements, NC is charting a course for an even greener future with the launch of its first official sustainability plan for 2019-2021. The plan sets out to engage the College community in sustainability on campus and to determine key priority areas, measurable targets and associated action items to meet those targets.  View NC's 2019-2021 Sustainability Plan here.

"Niagara College will maintain its commitment to driving a horizontally and vertically-integrated culture of sustainability that goes beyond operations, to create living laboratories that facilitate experiential learning for students, employees and community members," said Wilkinson, who is currently working on NC's latest STARS submission. "Recognition from AASHE as a top performer, combined with our newly launched Sustainability Plan, helps demonstrate that."

Niagara College's STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website here.

 View the 2019 Sustainable Campus Index here.

About STARS

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS was developed by AASHE with broad participation from the higher education community. The credits included in STARS span the breadth of higher education sustainability and are organized into four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration. All reports are publicly accessible on the STARS website. For more information, visit stars.aashe.org.

About AASHE

AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. AASHE works with and for higher education to ensure that our world's future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. Visit www.aashe.org.