University wins award for green initiatives

UVic is this year's recipient of Tourism Victoria's Environment Award in the organization category. The award recognizes the university's new campus plan, which features environmental sustainability as one of its core operational principles.

The campus plan places an emphasis on progressive water management and UVic has just completed a draft integrated stormwater management plan. UVic has also reduced the use of pesticides in open spaces, is restoring the protected Garry Oak Meadow and Mystic Vale, and is re-introducing native plant species in landscaped areas such as the native plant study garden and the bee and butterfly garden.

New buildings will incorporate low-impact development practices and UVic's medical sciences building is seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation. The university has undertaken several programs to increase energy efficiency on campus.

In addition, UVic's McKinnon Aquatic Centre was one of the first facilities of its kind to apply solar panel water-heating technology. Facilities management executive director Jerry Robson and interim sustainability co-ordinator Sarah Webb accepted the award on behalf of the university on March 24.