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Oakville picks up nearly a dozen accolades The Town of Oakville took time to pat itself on the back Monday, after it earned a total of 11 awards for environmental, sustainability and social responsibility initiatives. The awards, received from community groups, industry peers and professional associations, were showcased at Monday's council meeting. "Council and I are thankful that Town staff have won so much recognition for their hard work and dedication in creating a more sustainable Oakville," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "Council is proud of the quality and dedication of our Town staff." Council congratulated staff on the following awards: · Conservation Halton Awards of Excellence -- Corporate Award for leadership in biodiversity and environmental initiatives. Oakville was recognized as one of the first municipalities in Ontario to adopt an Environmental Strategic Plan (ESP) -- a detailed plan outlining Oakville's commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment. The updated ESP approved by Council in December 2011, provided direction for a number of environmental programs. Oakville was recognized for its wildlife strategy, including its comprehensive Living with Coyotes education initiative. Other highlights include a State of the Environment Reporting system that measures the plan's results, efforts to deal with invasive species, as well as urban forestry initiatives to increase tree canopy cover and improve forest health. · Partners for Climate Protection ICLEI Award for Milestone 3 in recognition of Oakville's Corporate and Community energy plans. These energy plans outline necessary actions for the corporation and the community to improve Oakville's air quality and reduce energy use. Since the program's inception in 1994, 226 municipalities across Canada have joined the Partners for Climate Protection program. Of these members, 5 · Thursday, June 21, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com "Council and I are thankful that Town staff have won so much recognition for their hard work and dedication in creating a more sustainable Oakville." Oakville Mayor Rob Burton only 87 have achieved Milestone 3 or better. · LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, awarded by the Canada Green Building Council for Oakville's state-of-the-art Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. The facility earned LEED credits for energy performance, stormwater treatment and management, ozone protection, light pollution reduction, thermal control and comfort, indoor air quality and green housekeeping. Sixteen Mile Sports Complex is Oakville's first municipal build- ing to achieve LEED certification and the first quad pad arena in Canada to earn LEED Gold. · Smart Commute Gold Workplace, recognized by Halton Region and Metrolinx for Oakville's successful participation in the region-wide Smart Commute Initiative. The program helps reduce the amount of single-occupant vehicles on the road, reduces pollution entering the environment, and supports carpooling, cycling, walking, and public transit initiatives. The gold award was given to Oakville as an outstanding workplace that demonstrates innovation and documented success in encouraging Town staff to choose more environmentally friendly ways to get to and from work. · Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Communities Award from the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, an Ontario-based non-profit organization that promotes bicycling as a mode of transportation, recreation and fitness. Municipalities are judged in five categories of cycling initiatives often referred to as the Five Es. These are Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation and Planning. · Canadian Public Relations Society Pinnacle Award (Hamilton Chapter); International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Awards: IABC Ovation Award of Excellence (Toronto Chapter), IABC Ovation Award of Merit (Toronto Chapter), IABC Virtuoso Award of Excellence (London Chapter), IABC Virtuoso Award of Merit (London Chapter), and IABC Best of the Best Virtuoso Award (London Chapter) for the Oakville Canopy Club, an innovative community outreach program that encourages residents and businesses to save Oakville's tree canopy from the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer. Staff award winners recognized by Council include: Nina de Vaal, Michael Brennan and Sarah Douglas-Murray, all of Recreation and Culture; Chris Mark and Janis Olbina, of Parks and Open Space; Shelly Switzer and Saher Fazilat, of Facilities and Construction Management; Cindy Toth, Donna Doyle and Suzanne Madder, of Environmental Policy; Chris Clapham, Engineering and Construction; Janine Ivings, Jeff Smalley and Brett McNally, Strategy, Policy and Communications. For more information about Oakville's environmental and sustainability programs and initiatives, visit www.oakville. ca. SERC hosts A Taste of the Arts The Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC) is celebrating Seniors Month with an arts workshop on Friday (June 22). A Taste of the Arts is for all older adults in the community, an event where they can sample creative activities such as dancing, singing, visual arts and acting. "We hope by exploring the role of the arts in the lives of older adults we can provide a forum for highlighting the importance of the arts to physical and mental health," said Pat Spadafora, director of SERC, in a news release. The event runs 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants can sign up for any and all of the sessions. To register, contact paulina. camino@sheridanc.on.ca or call 905-845-9430, ext. 8617. SERC is located at Sheridan College in Oakville. END S E JUN 1 30/ 2 GIANT INVENTORY CLEARANCE % OFF FLOOR MODEL Free Quotes AMAZING RATES! Fast Service... Com mer Auto cia l · · Ho Lif m e· e Tra ve l UPHOLSTERED SUITES MIN. 25 50 30 15 BEDROOMS MIN. % DINING ROOM SUITES MIN. OFF 35 25 % OFF SELECTED ITEMS % ACCESSORIES MIN. 2345 Wyecroft Road Unit 18, Oakville L6L 6L8 OFF % DINETTES MIN. 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