The Office of Sustainability staff invites you to take a tour of the sustainability initiatives around campus. Currently, tours are available for the Abbotsford campus. Tours can be led by a team member (email Sustainability@ufv.ca) or for a self-directed tour, follow the map below:
Download UFV Sustainable Campus Tour map [PDF]
Sustainable campus tour — points of interest
Stop 1: EV charging stations (outside Building A)
- We have 11 vehicle charging ports on our Abbotsford campus.
- Throughout 2022, between Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses, we recorded 88,174kg worth of emissions used in charging power instead!
- This is the same as 37,563L of gasoline.
Stop 2: Dining hall expansion
- The dining is being expanded to include a second floor and upgraded equipment to help service the 10,000+ students at UFV.
- EnergyStar equipment was prioritized, helping to offset carbon emissions by reducing energy consumption.
Stop 3: Water bottle refill stations
- We have 27 water bottle refill stations across the campuses.
- Each one helps prevent thousands of plastic water bottles from entering waste streams.
- Each station is also filtered and routinely checked to provide clean water to our community.
Stop 4: Evolution mural - by Aysha McConkey
- Aysha dedicated over 1,000 hours to make this mural! She has posted progress videos to TikTok, which have garnered thousands of views.
- Aysha has also donated some of her previous works to student clubs, such as the geography association, for fundraisers.
- The art reminds us that all life comes from the same roots.
Stop 5: Specialty Recycling Bins
- Through 2022, between 5 boxes on our Abbotsford campus we collectively recycled over 4,000 masks.
- These will be turned into polypropylene pellets, used in construction.
- Through 2023 - 2024, the boxes have been updated to include writing utensil and plastic wrapper recycling.
Stop 6: G building Solar Array
- There are 321 panels atop the library. On a clear day, this sufficiently powers the entire building: including computers, HVAC and more.
- An evaluation of this solar array showed it to be incredibly efficient, with an ROI estimate of 3-6 years instead of the original 18.
- Spring 21 - December 22 generated 237.5MWh, enough for 32 homes.
Stop 7: Student housing building 2.0
- UFV is in the process of constructing a new student housing building, which will provide over 300 students accommodations on campus.
- The planning process includes sustainable future-proofing, including a solar-ready rooftop, and EV-ready parking stalls.
- The building is also designed to be climate resilient.
Stop 8: Office of Sustainability pollinator garden
- Our pollinator garden hosts almost entirely native species!
- We host semi-regular maintenance volunteer events where people can enjoy some gardening, a cold drink and learn about native flora.
- Over the last 2 years, the garden has been built with a custom in-soil watering system, an herb garden, and specialized planters.
Stop 9: Solar thermal heating system
- La:lem te Baker has a solar heating system that pre-heats the buildings domestic water supply.
- This reduces UFV’s expenditure on natural gas, as well as provides a more efficient (speedy) and environmentally friendly system.
- Building E has a similar system designed to passively heat the air.
Stop 10: Bicycle repair stations
- We have multiple bicycle storage boxes on campus, which are lockable and provide additional protection to a bike chain.
- Our freestanding repair stations have a suite of tools that bicyclists can use, attached to the station to prevent vandalism.
Stop 11: Student wellness and UFV counselling
- Wellness peers offer 1-on-1 support sessions, and health & wellness programming. They also assist students by identifying resources available to them, and providing referrals when required.
- UFV also offers free counselling services to all students, for mental health regulation, career & course planning, and financial advice.
Stop 12: Indigenous teaching garden
- Created in 2021, this place offers a space for quiet reflection, mindfulness, and connection to the land around us.
- Building S contains the Indigenous Student Centre, which provides cultural and academic support to students, and helps facilitate the Indigenization of UFV.
Stop 13: Sustainable café and Student Union Society
- The Student Union Society is a separate organization to UFV, advocating for students, supporting student efforts, and running initiatives like the food bank, kickback, and student wellness.
- Fairgrounds Coffee uses sustainable coffee from Salt Spring Island, provides dairy alternatives, and has an economical loyalty program.
Stop 14: D building third-floor renovation
Our newest innovation on campus, this floor provides a more eclectic and homey feel for departments. The kitchen is also outfitted with a suite of new appliances.
The DIRTT modular walls recycle denim for the insulation, a sustainable substitute that keeps them lightweight.
Stop 15: Our office, and our various initiatives
- Our team is small but mighty!
- We have a sustainability policy, and UFV has signed the SDG accord.
- Since the department's inception in 2021, we have reduced UFV’s emissions by hundreds of thousands of kilos, planted tens of thousands of trees, and brought people from all over campus together.