Humber's soon to be completed Centre for Urban Ecology will be competing for one of this year's Toronto Green Awards.
"The original design was a student project done by architecture technology students," said project co-ordinator Carol Ray.
The centre's final plan, by professional architects, could win the Green Award in the "Green Design" category.
The centre is intended to be an example of how buildings can leave less of a footprint on the environment, Ray said. They will provide a place for students and other people to learn about green architecture.
It will feature facilities for wind and solar energy, natural sewage, water and air filtration, and a "green" roof - basically a roof covered with living plants.
"Green roofs are something you'll be hearing a lot about in the years to come," said Toronto Green Awards co-ordinator Nancy Ruscica.
Green roofs, she said, are a good way to reclaim green space in the city, while also reducing heating and cooling costs, and improving air quality.
Nominations are open until Feb. 16 and the winners will be announced May 1. A complete list of categories and application information is available at Toronto.ca.
The awards are open to any environmental efforts big or small.
"Young people are doing great things," said Ruscica, who encourages students to enter. "There has been great interest from people in their 20s and 30s."Grassroots, an environmentally conscious store, won a Green Award two years ago.
Owner Rob Grand said that the publicity that the award generates helps spotlight environmental initiatives.
"It was also nice," he said, "to get recognition for something you're worked really hard on."
