Environmental Education

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Environmental Education and Stewardship

In Vaughan, we recognize that sustainability is a shared responsibility among all levels of government, our citizens and business. In Vaughan, we lead by example as responsible stewards of our community. The management of this important responsibility will have a direct impact on the health and prosperity of our community.

As part of the City of Vaughan’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the City is proud to promote environmental awareness in our community. In November 2011, the Green Directions Vaughan Education Strategy was approved by Council.

The City supports education on a wide range of sustainability initiatives including the following:

Anti-idling program - The City of Vaughan is committed to reducing vehicle emissions that contribute to smog and climate change that adversely affect air quality health by encouraging non-traffic related idling.

Bylaw 174-2004 - prohibits the idling of vehicles for more than five consecutive minutes.

Green Buildings are key to urban environmental sustainability is establishing a sustainable built form. Most cities are encouraging residents to have more energy efficient buildings. The adoption of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings have become more prominent.

Buildings are LEED certified with the Canadian Green Building Council using a scorecard rating system. Points are awarded based upon performance in six key areas of human and environmental health:

Sustainable Sites
Water Efficiency
Energy & Atmosphere
Materials & Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation & Design Process

The total number of points determines if the project is certified as silver, gold or platinum level. LEEDing by example profiles our largest facility built to LEED standards.

Vaughan City Hall, officially opened in 2011, is expected to be the largest civic building in Canada to achieve LEED Gold certification. Click here to learn more about Vaughan City Hall.

Greening Vaughan Environmental Days - these community events, with one held in each Ward over the spring and fall months, provide an opportunity for residents to pick-up mulch, exchange recycling containers and receive more info on actions they can do to minimize their environmental footprint.

Pesticide Free Vaughan - In 2009, the Province of Ontario passed a provincial regulation banning the cosmetic use of pesticides which supplanted municipal pesticide by-laws. More information on pesticides and their alternatives from a homeowner perspective can found at the Ministry of Environment site.

Partners for a More Sustainable Vaughan are a group of volunteers who help bring the City of Vaughan's environmental programs and initiatives to the public through education and outreach. Join us in our efforts to make Vaughan an environmental leader. Contact environment@vaughan.ca for more information.

20-Minute Makeover - a challenge activity that encourages community groups, schools and businesses to pick up litter for 20 minutes on a designated day every April. In addition to providing free garbage and recycling bags, the City of Vaughan arranged for garbage pickup for participating groups.

Contact Information

Phone:

905-832-2281

905-832-8585

TTY:

905-832-8585

Email:

environment@vaughan.ca

Location:

City Hall

Level 200

2141 Major Mackenzie Drive

Vaughan

L6A 1T1

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