New Green Space showcases sustainability projects and events

Have you heard about the new Green Space on campus?

Located on the mezzanine of the Henry F. Hall Building, this multi-purpose space is a 12-week pilot project designed to support  the Concordia community in learning more about sustainability initiatives and showcasing sustainability research and projects.

The concept

Interested groups can book the space for up to a week at a time for sustainability-related events, such as workshops, exhibitions and displays. The space, Room H-224, comes free of charge. What’s more, there is no charge for audio-visual support.

The people behind it

The idea for this pilot initiative came from the Office of the Vice-President, Services, which includes Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) and Hospitality Concordia.

“Our team wanted to create a central physical location that could become a sustainability hub for the entire university community,” explains VP, Services, Roger Côté. “We believe that by offering this opportunity, we will help foster collaboration across roles, across departments and across disciplines."

Pietro Gasparrini and the EH&S sustainability team have been working with Hospitality Concordia’s Marie-France Watson to get the space ready. This includes using existing resources and equipment, including the display cases from the computer store that was once housed in the location.

"When the pilot project ends in December, we will evaluate the impact of the Green Space. It's up to the students, faculty and staff to make this a success," says Gasparrini.

Since it opened on September 10, visitors have enjoyed the opportunity to buy plants from the greenhouse on the roof of the Hall Building, pick up information brochures, learn about new initiatives on campus and make a sustainability pledge by posting a selfie with the sustainability frame on Instagram.

The results

"It’s a beautiful, inviting space!” says Jessica Cabana, vice-president of Sustainability for the Concordia Student Union (CSU). She and CSU President Benjamin Prunty booked the space for Fighting Food Monopolies, one of a week’s worth of food-politics workshops called Bite Me, organized by the Concordia Food Coalition.

“It had all the materials we needed to host the workshop and it allowed for a diverse possibility of set-ups,” explains Prunty. Would he recommend the space to others? “If it suits their needs … The space will be as vibrant as the people who occupy and share materials in it.”

Check out the Green Space every Wednesday afternoon, when the City Farm School is holding farmers' markets. They offer all kinds of fresh, locally grown produce, including beets, carrots, parsnips, and even sprouts grown in our very own greenhouse!

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