TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2012 /CNW/ – Earth Rangers — the kids’ conservation organization dedicated to educating millions of children across Canada about the importance of protecting biodiversity — has been awarded Platinum Certification from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) through its LEED® for Existing Buildings (EB) green building rating system for The Earth Rangers Centre located in Woodbridge, Ontario.
The Earth Rangers Centre certified LEED® Gold for New Construction in 2004, is home to Earth Rangers’ Animal Ambassadors and staff and is also a showcase for leading edge sustainable building technologies that reduce energy, water and resource consumption, while also maintaining the highest levels of functionality and comfort for occupants and tenants. The Earth Rangers Centre is proof that a building that was constructed to green building standards can also be operated even more sustainably than originally designed.
“I would like to congratulate The Earth Rangers Centre for becoming the highest rated LEED for existing buildings project in Canada. This is the first time ever that the CaGBC has certified a building initially as LEED Gold for New Construction, and then seven years later as LEED Platinum for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance,” says Thomas Mueller, President and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council. “It is key for LEED certified buildings to not only achieve this high level of performance, but maintain it as well. Earth Rangers took this a step further by exceeding the performance targeted under their initial certification. This project sets a benchmark in Canada that any building owner can follow to create lasting dividends for the environment and their pocketbook.”
Achieving a score of 92 of a possible 110 points in the rating system, The Earth Rangers Centre is currently the highest scoring LEED EB building in Canada. The Centre features technologies such as:
Solar photovoltaic generation
On-site wastewater treatment
Earth tubes
Solar hot water
Stormwater control
Geothermal heating and cooling
Vegetated green roofs
The LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system focuses on measured performance of the building, and requires participants to track and prove the performance of their facility. Notable metrics attained by the building include:
Energy consumption 83% below energy code baseline
130,000 kWh of annual solar energy generation (enough to power 12 average Canadian homes for a year)
1.5 million liters of water recycled in 2011
100% of power supplied comes from renewables or low impact hydroelectric generation sources
100% of all cleaning products meet green cleaning standards
Native and drought hardy landscaping that needs no irrigation and uses no pesticides
An extensive preventative maintenance program that includes infrared scanning of building components
An online commuting alternative program for staff and tenants
80% diversion of waste from landfill
Earth Rangers’ Facility Team had the support of many consultants and suppliers throughout the process, many of whom donated significant time and services.
“We are extremely honored to receive LEED Platinum Certification for the Earth Rangers Centre,” says Peter Kendall, Executive Director, Earth Rangers. “This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support of our partners and sponsors; who like us, believe in the importance of protecting biodiversity for our future generations. We are proud to share this certification with them.”
For more information about Earth Rangers and The Earth Rangers Centre, please visit www.earthrangers.org. You can take an online tour of the building at www.ercshowcase.com
***Special note to media*** Earth Rangers’ Facility Team regularly conduct tours of the building for interested professionals to share lessons learned about better building operations. Please contact Amy Cross at across@earthrangers.com for more information.
ABOUT EARTH RANGERS:
Earth Rangers is the kids’ conservation organization. Earth Rangers is focused on communicating a positive, science-based message to children on the importance of protecting biodiversity. Through programs including a children’s website – www.earthrangers.com , a national television presence on YTV and a national School Outreach Program featuring live Animal Ambassadors, Earth Rangers is able to reach, inspire and enable millions of children each year to take action to help ensure the lasting survival of species in Canada.
Bring Back the Wild is Earth Rangers’ kid-powered conservation program designed to help protect endangered animals in Canada by raising funds to purchase, restore and protect their wild habitats.
The Earth Rangers Centre is an advanced green building, certified Platinum under LEED for Existing Buildings and Gold under New Construction. The Centre was designed to embody Earth Rangers values, to show that we practice what we preach and to serve as inspiration to everyone who walks through the doors.
Located in Woodbridge, Ontario and home to the Earth Rangers Animal Ambassadors and staff, the Centre is a showcase of leading edge sustainable building technology such as energy metering, smart automation and controls, innovative water and wastewater management, solar generation, green roofs, and geothermal heating and cooling.
The Earth Rangers Centre is proof that a building can be operated effectively and efficiently, while minimizing impact to the environment.
