Sustainable Canadore continues its work with new sustainability initiatives
Mar 8, 2024
Canadore College is thinking globally to focus the College’s conservation and climate change mitigation efforts. Last year, the College announced a partnership with Universidad Castro Carazo to deliver a micro-credential in cultural awareness, an experience that saw a delegation of students travel to Costa Rica to learn about the country’s history and sustainable production in the rain forest, and to connect with a local Indigenous community and the centenarians within the Blue Zone of Nicoya.
This year, the College is announcing the acquisition of 12 acres of property in the Los Santos region as part of a partnership with Green Communities Costa Rica, an organization that hosts volunteer groups from around the world to engage in sustainable development projects in that country. They also specialize in converting traditional coffee beans to organic and were international award winners in four tasting categories at the 2022 World Coffee Challenge in Spain.
Canadore College integrates the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals in all its activities. The UN adopted the goals in 2015 with the aim of ending poverty and setting the world on a path of peace, prosperity, and opportunity by 2030. The College remains steadfast in its goal to become carbon neutral by 2031, and Sustainable Canadore -- a taskforce of students, employees, and community groups -- is leading the charge.
Canadore College will become the first Canadian campus to have a Forest Stewardship Council certified forest. A 10-year forest management plan has been developed to protect the 450 acres of forest surrounding the College Drive Campus, and preliminary results of a carbon inventory show the College is closer to its 2031 goal.
This project has received a great deal of media attention, resulting in a proposal to partner on a unique course. The course, “Sustainable Innovation: Integrating Circular Economy and Biomimicry into Climate Action,” is offered by Beyond21 Academy, a Canadian non-profit that works with academic and institutional partners across North America to deliver relevant and practical sustainability training to students and working professionals. The course is open to Canadore employees, students, and alumni as well as members of the Canadore community.
“Today is a very proud day to be working at Canadore College. Whether it’s protecting our forest, partnering for unique educational opportunities, or creating experiences across the globe, these investments are made with purpose -- to protect the planet as part of our commitment to sustainable development,” says Jesse Russell, Sustainable Development Project Leader.
“Our college community is making incredible progress on reducing the carbon footprint and broader environmental impacts of our operations by making small and large strides, but always thinking big. The world is a small place, and our efforts in both Canada and Costa Rica show our commitment as global citizens, reflecting our diverse and vibrant student populations,” says Shawn Chorney, Vice President, Strategic Infrastructure, Indigenous and Learner Services.