This morning at the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC), Dr. Stephen Hill an Associate Professor at Trent University’s Environmental and Resource Science/Studies Program was recognized by the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) for his innovative work in teaching and projects in sustainability.
The CMHC’s Excellence in Education Award, presented by Steve Jacques, Regional Manager, Community Development and Research for CMHC, honours secondary and post-secondary educators who have encouraged students in the development of sustainable communities by integrating sustainable concepts in housing and community development into their curriculum.
The award itself was created in Ontario and is made of reclaimed materials. Each award looks similar, but differs in that the stone base is hand carved each time an award is presented. The laurel at the top symbolizes achievement and the base, carved into the shape of a book symbolizes knowledge/learning.
Dr. Stephen Hill uses a cross-disciplinary approach to teach and partners with institutions to connect ideas, theories and practices. Dr. Hill was an integral part of the development of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan – Sustainable Peterborough
Background
Dr. Hill’s research focuses on environmental and renewable energy management and policy. He also studies processes of social learning and innovation around community-based sustainability initiatives.
As a result, Dr. Hill uses a cross-disciplinary approach to teach and partners with institutions to connect ideas, theories and practices. He encourages his students to get involved with Trent University and the wider Peterborough area community organizations such as Sustainable Trent, the Community Opportunity and Innovation Network, Peterborough Green Up and the Peterborough Centre for Social Innovation.
Dr. Hill is known for his ability to motivate and mentor students and was recently recognized with Trent`s highest teaching award. His teaching has inspired many of his students’ interest in sustainability and encouraged their continued studies in the field.
In 2011, Dr. Hill was an integral part of the development of an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan – Sustainable Peterborough. Developing the Sustainability Plan was a collaborative endeavor by all members of the Greater Peterborough Area, including the City and County of Peterborough (and eight member municipalities along with Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations. The Plan defines what a Sustainable Peterborough will look like for the next generation.
Implementation of the Plan is moving forward and Dr. Hill is an active member of the Co-ordinating Committee. Action items of the plan will help to foster healthy environments, people, and economies by guiding the way to reducing environmental impacts, strengthening social networks, and increasing economic prosperity. Already a provincial and national leader in environmental awareness, the community’s reputation only stands to strengthen with the implementation of the sustainability plan.