IMAX Corporation, Mississauga Greening CORPORATE Grounds CHECKLIST AND BENCHMARKS Participant Information Name Address Program Start Date Date of Last Assessment Level at Last Assessment
Teck Metals Ltd, Mississauga Disclaimer: Program Partners, Founders and Supporters are not liable for the implementation of any projects recommended on this checklist. Professional assistance should be obtained as needed for detailed design, installation and maintenance. Checklist and Benchmarks created by Donna Havinga, Credit Valley Conservation, with feedback from CVC staff, Kim Sellers (Evergreen), other program partners and early adopters. 2009, Credit Valley Conservation. All rights reserved. For more resources and information, visit creditvalleyca.ca/gcg and trca.on.ca.
Checklist and Benchmarks The Greening Corporate Grounds (GCG) Program helps businesses, institutions and places of worship adopt ecological (or environmental) landscaping practices to enhance the natural health and beauty of their grounds over time. This checklist identifies possible projects and benchmarks for achieving program levels (Turquoise, Jade and Emerald) in four categories: Land; Water; Education and Access; and, Maintenance. For an example of how the checklist can be filled out, see the back pages of this document. The Program level is determined as participants achieve the benchmarks that are applicable on their site for each level. Participants who have already adopted some ecological landscaping practices on their site may enter at an advanced level. Participants must achieve the benchmarks in all four categories to proceed to each new level. At the on-set of the program, an initial assessment of the grounds with GCG Program staff will help identify possible projects from the checklist. Benchmarks note the requirements for the various levels. Beyond the noted minimum requirements for each level, participants can select from the remaining projects based on their interests and applicability to their site. The site will be reassessed annually as participants complete projects and proceed through the levels. Revisions to the selected projects and updates to the checklist may be made as needed. Monitoring ensures that selected project(s) are successfully completed and maintained. Monitoring can be completed by GCG Program staff or by a program participant s staff member. When program participants complete the monitoring, they must provide documentation to GCG Program staff as indicated in the Supporting Documentation Required column. As participants go through the benchmarks, they indicate which projects are being implemented and/ or achieved on their grounds: Implementation indicates that participants have begun the process of executing selected projects from the checklist. Participants are encouraged to note the date of initiating projects. Achieved indicates that participants have successfully completed and are maintaining the project. Participants are encouraged to note the date of completion in the column, along with any other information, Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga
LAND L1. Create native habitat Possible projects to select from a Selected Forest Tree and shrub planting Shrub planting Wildflowers, grasses planting Woodland garden Prairie Meadow Butterfly-pollinator garden Bird garden L2. Protect and maintain existing woodlands and meadows/ prairies L3. Habitat features Additional Projects Bird houses Bat houses Turtle habitat L4. Built features Snake hibernaculum Rooftop garden Green roof Green wall Living fence Parking lot island(s)
Benchmarks Implementation a Achieved Supporting Documentation Required Turquoise Demonstrate commitment to working towards Jade level in all categories Letter of approval from Owner, CEO, Board or Property Manager Complete one project in Land or Water see below Jade L1. Native plantings on a minimum component of company property Convert 25 50% of planting beds to native plants Convert 25 50% of available lawn to native habitat L2. Protect and maintain existing woodlands and meadows/prairies Emerald L1. Convert additional portion of property Convert min 50 75% of planting beds to native plants Convert min 50 75% of available lawn to native plants L3. Create additional habitat feature(s) L4. Institute additional built feature(s) Site plan showing location (aerial or drawn) and pictures of natural feature Picture, plan showing location Picture, plan showing location
WATER Possible projects to select from a Selected W1. Enhance existing water feature(s) Stream edge, including banks In-stream Lakeshore/beach Pond/wetland edge, including banks Pond/wetland in-water Planted swale Clean water storm drain buffers unpaved W2. Protect and maintain existing wetlands W3. Reduce outdoor water use Additional Projects W4. Habitat features Fish cover Turtle basking Dragonfly meadow Create wetland W5. Water conservation features Rain garden Bioswale Clean water buffer(s) within paved surface(s) Rainwater reuse (barrels/cistern) W6. Permeable pavement Downspout disconnection Parking areas Loading areas, where possible Walkways Gathering spaces
Benchmarks Implementation a Achieved Supporting Documentation Required Turquoise Demonstrate commitment to working towards Jade level in all categories Letter of approval from Owner, CEO, Board or Property Manager Complete one project in Land or Water see below Jade W1. Enhance existing water feature(s) Min. 25 50% existing feature(s) enhanced, relevant permits (inquire at CVC) W2. Protect and maintain existing wetlands Pictures, plan showing location W3. Reduce outdoor water use for lawns, beds 25 50% Water use data, minus use for establishing new plants Emerald W1. Further enhance existing water feature(s) Min 50 75% existing feature(s) enhanced, relevant permits (inquire at CVC) W3. Reduce outdoor water use for lawns, beds 50 75% Water use data, minus use for establishing new plants W4. Install additional habitat feature(s) Pictures, plan showing location, relevant permits (inquire at CVC) W5. Create additional water conservation feature(s) Pictures, plan showing location, relevant permissions (inquire at CVC) W6. Install permeable pavement All new or replaced walkways/gathering spaces Pictures, plan showing location Partial or full new or replaced parking bays/ loading areas Pictures, plan showing location
EDUCATION & ACCESS E1. Education features Possible projects to select from a Selected Trail for staff use Interpretive sign(s) E2. Access features E3. Education events Picnic or seating area near natural features Bicycle storage and indicator signs (indoors or outdoors) Wheelchair accessibility near natural features Public access trail Staff and/or community planting event Staff and/or community tour Staff workshop or lunch n learn Community workshop or seminar Staff and/or community involvement in other aspects of project e.g. fundraising, maintenance E4. Education resources Participate in a demonstration program, such as Peel Smart Water or CVC stormwater Create company web information on the project Document or aid with documentation in community resource Present or aid with presentation at an off-site community event
Benchmarks Implementation a Achieved Supporting Documentation Required Jade E1. Install one education feature Copy of text, picture, plan showing location on site E2. Install one access feature Picture, plan showing location on site E3. Host an educational event Copy of description of event, picture E4. Develop or codevelop one educational resource Copy of resource and/ or confirmation from GCG program staff Emerald E1. Install additional education feature(s) Copy of text, picture, plan showing location on site E2. Install additional access feature(s) Picture, plan showing location on site E3. Host additional educational event(s) Copy of description of event, picture E4. Develop or codevelop additional educational resource(s) Copy of resource and /or confirmation from GCG program staff
MAINTENANCE Possible projects to select from aselected M1. Convert remaining lawn to low-maintenance lawn species M2. Develop & implement environmental policies, plans for grounds maintenance Water conservation Pesticide alternatives Natural fertilizers Mowing reduction Invasives management Salt reduction and/or replacement Enhanced storm drains Tree care Conservation lighting Other procurement (landscape materials, equipment) M3. Develop and implement plans for maintaining relevant habitat(s) Woodlands Prairie/Meadow Aquatic habitat(s) M4. Waste management Regular litter removal Outdoor waste bins Outdoor recycling bins/program M5. Monitoring Provide info for GCG program Allow GCG representative(s) to collect info Additional Projects M6. Develop & implement maintenance plans for additional features (see Land & Water) Other habitat feature(s) Other land-based built features Other water-based features M7. Additional waste management Composting bins/program Pollution prevention plan for outdoor storage
Benchmarks Implementation a Achieved Supporting Documentation Required Jade M1. Convert 25 50% of remaining lawn to lowmaintenance lawn species M2. Develop and begin to implement environmental policies and plans for grounds maintenance Copy of invoice(s) Copy of policies, plans or GCG staff confirmation M3. Develop and implement plans for managing relevant habitat(s) M4. Waste management Site visit Copy of policies, plans or GCG staff confirmation M5. Monitoring Copy of protocols Emerald M1. Convert 100% of remaining lawn to lowmaintenance lawn species M2. Implement environmental policies and plans for grounds maintenance M6. Develop and implement maintenance plans for additional land and water features M7. Institute additional waste management equipment/program Copy of invoice(s) Copy of policies, plans or GCG staff confirmation Copy of policies, plans or GCG staff confirmation Pictures or copy of policies, plans or GCG staff confirmation
Sample Worksheet LAND Possible projects to select from aselected L1. Create native habitat Forest a Tree and shrub planting a Shrub planting a Wildflowers, grasses planting a Woodland garden Prairie Meadow Phase 1+ of site plan; staff plantings; species tbd; will plant gradually Phase 1 of site plan; staff plantings; species list on file Phase 1 of site plan; staff plantings; species TBD Butterfly-pollinator garden a Phase 2 of site plan, consultant will design/ install, species tbd, possible interpretive sign (see Education category) L2. Protect and maintain existing woodlands and meadows/ prairies Bird garden a Phase 1 - Woodland, work with consultant, possible interpretive sign (see Education category) Additional Projects L3. Habitat features L4. Built features Bird houses a Phase 2 - source TBD Bat houses Turtle habitat Snake hibernaculum Rooftop garden a Green roof Under consideration Phase 3+ pending load capacity study and funding Green wall a Phase 2, consultant will design, install Living fence a Parking lot island(s) a When resurfacing parking lot
Benchmarks Implementation a Achieved Supporting Documentation Required Turquoise Demonstrate commitment to working towards Jade level in all categories Jan 2009 a Letter of approval from Owner, CEO, Board or Property Manager Letter from CEO, Mrs. Jones, attached Letter from Property Owner, Mr. Smith, attached Complete one project in Land or Water Oct 2009 a see below Staff Planting Event - pictures and plant list on file Jade L1. Native plantings on a minimum component of company property Convert 25-50% of planting beds to native plants Oct 2009 a Staff Planting Event - pictures and plant list on file Convert 25-50% of available lawn to native habitat L2. Protect and maintain existing woodlands and meadows/prairies Aug 2009 Site plan showing location (aerial or drawn) and pictures of natural feature Eco-Landscaping service hired, planting and maintenance plan underway Emerald L1. Convert additional portion of property Convert min 50-75% of planting beds to native plants Oct 2009 Convert min 50-75% of available lawn to native plants Target is 75% forested - will plant gradually L3. Create additional habitat feature(s) Picture, plan showing location Phase 2 L4. Institute additional built feature(s) Picture, plan showing location See phasing in projects list
Program Partners & Supporters Conservation Authorities were established by an Act of the Province in 1954 with a mandate to protect all natural resources, other than minerals, on a watershed basis. Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has been working for over 50 years with its partner municipalities and stakeholders to protect and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River Watershed and nearby urban streams for present and future generations. Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) has decades of experience in protecting and enhancing our environment, educating young people, and engaging communities. TRCA works with governments, businesses, and individuals to build a greener, cleaner and healthier place to live. Partners in Project Green is a growing community of businesses working together to green their bottom lines. Through new forms of business-to-business collaboration, Partners in Project Green delivers programming that helps businesses reduce energy and resource costs, uncover new business opportunities and address everyday operational challenges in a green and cost - effective manner. Greening Corporate Grounds is only available in the Region of Peel* To participate in this program or for more information, please contact: Deborah Kenley Greening Corporate Grounds Program Coordinator Credit Valley Conservation phone: 905-670-1615 x439 email: dkenley@creditvalleyca.ca creditvalleyca.ca/gcg * for a map of the Region of Peel, see peelregion.ca Program originally developed in partnership with Evergreen which was funded by the Trillium Foundation. Program Partner Endorsed By Updated May 2012