Community rallies to save UBC farm

UBC President Stephen Toope unveiled a permanent sign at the entrance to UBC Farm on UBC Vancouver’s South Campus at an April 7 celebration organized by the Alma Mater Society (AMS) and Friends of the Farm.

Toope joined AMS President Blake Frederick in planting a tree at UBC Farm during the celebration, which drew 1,300 UBC community members in favour of preserving the highly valued South Campus amenity.

Toope noted that the university’s Board of Governors has directed the administration to create an academic plan for the 24-hectare parcel of land that includes UBC Farm. “The plan will outline teaching and research purposes for the land that are academically rigourous and globally significant around issues of sustainability.”

“We see UBC Farm as part of the complete and sustainable community we are creating at UBC’s Vancouver campus,” Toope said. “The university is increasing residential opportunities for students, faculty and staff and at the same time significantly reducing vehicle use. We are leading the country in introducing energy retrofits in our buildings, in renewing rather than rebuilding aging facilities, and in creating new green structures. I look forward to completion of the academic plan for this area to see what other great ideas emerge to solidify our leadership in campus sustainability.”