ENvironnement JEUnesse (ENJEU) has certified that Dawson College has met the criteria for the excellence level of its Cégep Vert program. This means that Dawson is at the highest level of CEGEPs that are committed to environmental education and action.

“They gave special mention to our Dawson Wetlands Project, completed in Paul Wasacz’s Eco-Landscaping Physical Education course,” said Chris Adam of Dawson’s Office of Sustainability.

The wetlands project is a national demonstration project supported by Colleges and Institutes Canada through its ImpAct program and is also the subject of a documentary film. The students in Phys. Ed. made an eco-habitat that receives and filters rainwater from the roof, while absorbing CO2. It is on the west side of the building off the E wing and has become an important stop for Living Campus tours given to guests visiting the College.

“I believe Cégep Vert is the most developed and largest provincial college network for sustainability in Canada,” Chris said. “Being recognized by Cégep Vert is the latest recognition that the Living Campus approach and commitment to well-being for all is worth pursuing.”

“CEGEP Vert’s criteria help assess Dawson’s ability to build community while working to reduce our environmental footprint and embrace social justice issues,” Chris said.

There are so many people at Dawson to thank for achieving Cégep Vert excellence. “The Office of Sustainability does the tracking and reporting. However, this achievement is thanks to the work of everyone in the Dawson community, especially the Facilities Management team and many teachers working on climate action,” he said.

Dawson is currently working on the next cycle of reporting for the AASHE certification. In 2020, Dawson achieved AASHE gold.

Founded in 1979, ENvironnement JEUnesse (ENJEU) is an organization dedicated to educating youth on environmental issues, to provide training through educational projects and to encourage them to take action in their community. ENvironnement JEUnesse encourages critical thinking and has raised the youth voice to share its concerns, demands and solutions on environmental issues.

Photo: Chris Adam and students check out the brand new worm composting system.