Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has been ranked in the top three schools through the Sierra Club’s sustainability ranking for the third year in a row – it won first place in 2019.
Since 2006, the Sierra Club has ranked institutions based on their environmental record.
“This summer, we have experienced first-hand the effects of climate change and we deeply understand the need to take action,” said TRU president Brett Fairbairn.
“TRU continues to strive to reduce our environmental impact while being a place where solutions can be found.”
Arizona State University placed first while University of California came in second.
Of the 20 post-secondary institutions on this year’s list, only three were from Canada: TRU, Université de Sherbrooke (11th) in Sherbrooke, Que. and Université Laval (13th) in Quebec City.
Some of the categories the schools are ranked on include academic criteria, student engagement with environmental activism, renewable energy and waste management operations and schools’ planning and administrative standards.
The full ranking of 328 colleges and universities is online at this link.
“In addition to major projects we’ve initiated in recent years, we have launched programs for tree-planting and reusable cutlery,” said James Gordon, TRU’s manager of sustainability programs.
TRU will be launching its Campus Tree Program by planting 10 maple trees to mark the 10th National Tree Day on Wednesday, Sept. 22.
According to the statement, “the program will likely lead to academic and research opportunities and TRU is contributing to the Canadian government’s goal of planting 2 billion trees by 2030.”
Volunteers from the TRU community will help plant and care for the trees while learning from the grounds/horticulture departments as they watch their tree grow – plus there is a program certificate of completion and free ball cap.
