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Sustainable Development

SFU Burnaby's grounds are home to many native planting areas in which salal berries, ferns and mosses can be found throughout the campus. Native plant species in all new planting programs, especially when the area is near or adjacent to natural areas such as forest edges, swales, and creeks.

Cuttings from landscaping and maintenance are mulched and spread back into the forested areas on campus so the nutrients can be returned to the system. In an effort to protect the watersheds and creeks on Burnaby Mountain and reduce salt contamination, SFU has also implemented a Salt Management Plan [PDF] to reduce the amount of salt used on University roads and parking lots in wintry road conditions.

Green Buildings

Building Green has been become a renewed focus in British Columbia's public sector ever since Bill 44, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act, was adopted in 2007. At SFU, our building stock accounts for about 96% of our electricity and natural gas consumption. Seeking energy and water efficiency in new buildings and building retrofits is key to achieving our sustainability goals.

SFU subscribes to two green building certification systems: Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design (LEED) and the Building Owners and Managers Association's Building Environmental Standards (BOMA BEST).

SFU Campuses

Check out how SFU is building green at the Burnaby, Vancouver and Surrey campuses