Fleming College

The Frost Campus of Fleming College in Lindsay will be bottled water free this time next year under a new plan to phase out the sale of bottled water on the campus. A joint initiative developed by students and supported by faculty, staff and administration, the plan to eliminate the sale of bottled water on campus is a progressive one that includes the immediate identification of “Bottled Water Free Zones” on campus, an audit of access to public water on campus and a plan to upgrade availability of public drinking water. The campus plans to implement the full ban on the sale of bottled water on campus by Earth Day 2011.“It’s been a pleasure to work with our student government and campus partners in developing this plan,” said Sara Kelly, Sustainability Projects Coordinator at the Frost Campus. “Our student body encourages everyone to drink safe and free public water as opposed to the expensive alternative of bottled water.” “This initiative is just one example of our strong focus on water as a resource at the Frost Campus. We conduct leading research in alternate wastewater treatment and we train hundreds of graduates each year through our diploma and joint degree programs that focus on water conservation,” said Linda Skilton, Frost Campus Principal. “This student-lead initiative is a great example of how the entire community here at the Frost Campus can work together toward promoting and implementing sustainable solutions.” Sustainability is embedded as a core value at Fleming College. The college has a long established leadership reputation in unique environmental education programs with a portfolio that includes programs in Fish and Wildlife, Ecosystem Management, Earth Resources and Ecological Restoration. The environmental technology wing of the Frost Campus was built with leading environmental construction technologies and is a unique teaching and learning facility.  The announcement occurs in conjunction with the 3rd Annual EcoHealth Conference at the Frost Campus on April 8th, 2010. The theme is “Growing Green Communities”. Keynote speeches begin at 6 p.m. and include MPP Rick Johnson, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock and Fleming Professor Robert Lovelace. Registration information is available at www.flemingcollege.ca Similar initiatives regarding bottled water are underway at other Fleming campuses.  Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campuses in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 90 full-time programs in Business and Technology, Continuing Education and Skilled Trades, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Fine Arts, Health and Wellness, and Law, Justice and Community Services. Fleming College has more than 5,700 full-time and 10,000 part-time students and 50,000 alumni.                                                              – 30 – For more information:              Shelby Parker, Communications Officer, 705-749-5530 x 1370 or parker@flemingc.on.ca