Evergreen and the Microsoft Canada Development Centre dig into new sustainability research
Rooftop gardening and ivy removal key to restoring Vancouver lands
Vancouver, BC – April 3, 2009 – Today, more than 100 volunteers from the Microsoft Canada Development Centre (MCDC) and Microsoft’s Vancouver Sales and Marketing office, are partnering with Evergreen, a not-for-profit organization focused on making Canadian cities more liveable, to help turn post-industrial land into viable research space at BCIT’s Centre for Architectural Ecology and Evergreen’s offices. The full-day operation includes the removal of invasive ivy, the creation of rooftop gardening research beds for urban agriculture and the installation of a permaculture demonstration garden.
The regeneration will allow research to be conducted for the first time on the subject of naturalizing steep slopes (10-20% inclines) infested with ivy, and testing methods of addressing invasive plant species infestations. Microsoft employees will significantly accelerate the work that is needed to be done so that the research can take place.
The rooftop garden research space, at the Centre for Architectural Ecology - Collaborations in Green Roofs and Living Walls facility will give students and researchers the opportunity to study the use of food crops as green roof materials, furthering the development of energy sustainability and water run-off controls.
The permaculture demonstration garden will be accessible to the public and showcase low tech, adaptive landscaping that minimizes maintenance and increases habitat.
These projects will further Evergreen’s commitment to restoration in the Vancouver area and this research will be beneficial far beyond the boundaries of Vancouver. In addition to volunteer hours, the Microsoft Canada Development Centre, located in Richmond, is donating $10,000 to fund future Evergreen projects.
Quotes
“We’re pleased that the MCDC believes as much in their local community as they do in strong, progressive research,” said Bill Sinclair, Regional Director for Western Canada, Evergreen. “The work done on April 3rd will provide important information to the public and practitioners on strategies for greening the urban environment.”
“The new space will allow exciting new research that has never been done before on urban environmental sustainability to be conducted here in Vancouver,” said Rahim Sidi, Principal Software Development Engineer, Microsoft Canada Development Centre. “Supporting innovative research and development, whether it is software development or environmental sustainability, is critically important to the Vancouver community. The MCDC is proud to work with Evergreen on this creative endeavour.”
“This level of support, kick starting with a hands-on project, urban agriculture research on green roofs and living walls, is an absolutely dynamic display of our region’s quest to regenerate natural ecological systems within the urban environment,” said Maureen Connelly, Director, Faculty, of the BCIT Centre for Architectural Ecology. “The efforts of Evergreen and the Microsoft Canada Development Centre applied to urban agriculture, will enable the Centre to advance research in optimizing the multiple benefits of green roofs and living walls for everyone.”
About Evergreen
Evergreen is a not-for-profit organization that makes cities more livable. By deepening the connection between people and nature, and empowering Canadians to take a hands-on approach to their urban environments, Evergreen is improving the health of our cities—now and for the future. Since 1991, Evergreen has fostered healthy sustainable communities and increased awareness about the importance of nature in Canada’s cities by providing Canadians with the tools and knowledge to become stewards of the environment in their communities. Since 1991, Evergreen has engaged people in creating and sustaining healthy, dynamic outdoor spaces across Canada - in schools, communities and homes. Its entrepreneurial approach to social responsibility creates vibrant neighbourhoods, a healthy natural environment and a sustainable society for all. Evergreen provides tools, resources and information to help individuals and communities create healthy, dynamic outdoor environment. For more information about Evergreen, please visit www.evergreen.ca.
About BCIT Centre for Architectural Ecology
The BCIT Centre for Architectural Ecology/ Collaborations in Green Roofs and Living Walls is dedicated to the implementation of green roofs and living wall performance systems locally and globally in order to mitigate stormwater runoff, the reduction of energy requirements of buildings, the reduction of the urban heat island effect and noise mitigation along with many other environmental and social benefits to urban areas. The Centre, established in 2003, conducts applied research and provides credited courses on green roofs and living walls (the first in Canada) within BCIT's School of Construction and the Environment. Our website for more information is www.greenroof.bcit.ca.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca.
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