A decade into its mandate, Dalhousie's Office of Sustainability is a more integral part of the university than ever, engaging in everything from planning and policies to building, retrofits, and day-to-day operations.
The office marked its tenth anniversary last Thursday, ahead of Earth Day on April 22 (today), with its annual highlights event.
More than 60 students contributed to programs with the office in 2018-2019 through independent research, class work, as volunteers and as a staff. Others sat on the President's Advisory Council on Sustainability.
Rochelle Owen, executive director of the office, was on hand at the Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building with fellow staff to share some of the successes and progress the office and campus and external partners have made in the past year.
Here are some of the highlights:
Opening of the IDEA Project
As Dalhousie undertook the most sweeping transformation of its downtown Sexton Campus in decades as part of the IDEA Project, it did so with sustainability top of mind. Officially opened in fall 2018, the renewed campus is now a beacon of sustainability at the university.
Major renovations to a number of existing buildings, outdoor improvements, and the construction of two new buildings the Emera IDEA Building and the Richard Murray Design Building were all undertaken with a commitment to green-focus practices in areas of renewable energy (solar and geothermal infrastructure), waste, water (rainwater cistern), natural and urban environments, living buildings (green roof) and transportation.
Outside the Emera IDEA Building, an active-transportation (or "green") corridor cuts across the campus from Spring Garden Road to Morris Street creating a link to other active-transportation infrastructure. It includes dedicated space and markings for pedestrians and cyclists, permeable pavers, and native vegetation.
Both LEED candidate buildings were constructed targeting a Gold certification, with a stretch goal targeting Platinum. If the latter is achieved, it will be a first for Dalhousie.
