2014 Living City® Awards honours organizations and individuals who exemplify vision for The Living City

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - The 2014 Living City Awards were presented last night at The Living City® Environmental Dinner to organizations and individuals who exemplify Toronto and Region Conservation's (TRCA's) vision for The Living City, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature's beauty and diversity. There are three awards that represent each of The Living City objectives for healthy rivers and shorelines, regional biodiversity and sustainable communities.

The Charles Sauriol Environmental Leadership Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies TRCA's vision for the Living City, who practices sustainable methods in their everyday life and who influences the community around them.

The Living City Award:  Healthy Rivers and Shorelines
Awarded to The Sisters of St. Joseph and Shim–Sutcliffe Architects for the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence at 2 O'Connor Drive in Toronto

The Sisters of St. Joseph Residence is an outstanding project overlooking the Don River ravine in Toronto demonstrating that landscape stewardship and sophisticated green technologies can be a design anchor for main stream redevelopment in a meaningful manner. The assisted living facility, chapel and hospital project embodies the deep environmental commitment of the Sisters with the inclusion of site naturalization and ecological gardens, heritage building rehabilitation, geothermal heating, and water and energy conservation components.  A stunning, and thoughtful project of integrated architecture and landscape design, which highlights the Sisters' vision for sustainability, openness to nature and blending modern, historic and sacred spaces.

The Living City Award:  Regional Biodiversity
Awarded to William Boyle and Peter Menkes, Harbourfront Centre Exhibit Collaboration

The Living City Foundation recognizes the contributions of William Boyle, former Chief Executive Officer of Harbourfront Centre, and Peter Menkes, President, Menkes Developments Ltd. for the creation and implementation of two unique outdoor exhibitions at Harbourfront Centre.  Their collaboration with Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) and a team of contemporary visual artists resulted in two exhibits – Nine Rivers City : Toronto's Extraordinary Waterways (2013), that explored the complexities of each of the waterways that run throughout Toronto's urban landscape, and No Flat City: Toronto's Incomparable Terrain (2014), which explores the unexpected or unusual characteristics of the landscape. Both exhibits highlight how environmental issues and ideas can educate and be brought forward to the public forum through the eye of the artist and their stories of the landscapes through visual images.

The Living City Award: Sustainable Communities
Awarded to The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) for the support and participation in Partners in Project Green (PPG)

In 2007, the GTAA committed approximately $2 million towards the development of North America's Largest Eco-Industrial Zone, "Partners in Project Green: A Pearson Eco-Business Zone" to improve energy, water and waste efficiencies and synergies within the ICI sector. Today these efforts continue to advance TRCA's Strategic Plan objective of creating a "globally competitive green economic sector, including renewable energy, distributed generation, green buildings and sustainable technologies." With a clear focus on results, PPG has made great inroads over the years with several accomplishments engaging over 600 businesses each year in energy, waste and water programs.

Charles Sauriol Leadership Award
Awarded to Mr. Joe Pennachetti

The Charles Sauriol Leadership award recognizes retiring Toronto City Manager, Joe Pennachetti. With a 38 year career in public service Mr. Pennachetti has also worked in Peel, York, and Durham Regions. Well respected at all levels, his commitment toward the ideals of The Living City was exemplified throughout his career.

About The Living City Foundation
The Living City Foundation is a registered charity (Business #11903 9493 RR0001) that supports the work of Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA). TRCA and The Living City Foundation are working to build The Living City: A Cleaner, Greener Healthier Place to live. For more information visit us at www.thelivingcity.org

About Toronto and Region Conservation
With 60 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and look after the natural environment. TRCA's vision is for the Living City – a cleaner, greener and healthier place to live, for you today and for your children tomorrow. For more information, call 416-661-6600 or visit us at www.trca.on.ca

SOURCE: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Public Relations, [email protected], 416-661-6600 ext 5632