Media releases

  • Lights out for Earth Hour at Brock University

    Tuesday, March 26, 2019 | By

    MEDIA RELEASE: 26 March 2019 – R00053

    The illumination of Schmon Tower at Brock University will switch from Badger red to earth green Saturday, March 30, but from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. the lights will go out entirely.

    It’s part of Brock’s annual recognition of Earth Hour, when Canadians turn off the lights as a show of support in the fight against climate change. In addition to the tower lights going dark, other lighting on the main campus and in the downtown Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts will also be dimmed or turned off.

    But beyond simply flipping a switch once a year, when it comes to environmental sustainability, Brock University is a post-secondary leader.

    Brock’s waste diversion rate was 71.8 per cent in 2017, putting it nearly 12 per cent higher than the Ministry of the Environment’s 60 per cent diversion rate guideline.

    When it comes to saving water, the University installed an additional seven bottle-filling stations in 2018, bringing its total to 57. In 2018 alone, 930,343 bottles were filled and that number is expected to cross 1 million bottles for the first time in 2019. Since the bottle station program began five years ago, nearly 4.5 million bottles have been diverted from landfills through the use of reusable containers being filled on campus.

    On a wider level, Brock’s Facilities Management established an Environmental Sustainability Policy in 2016 which includes objectives and actions that contribute to the goal of Green House Gas emissions reductions of 37 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050.

    Other ongoing programs include:

    • Numerous projects aimed at improving the efficiency of the heating and cooling systems.
    • Working toward converting florescent lighting to LED across the University.
    • The ongoing District Energy Efficiency Project (DEEP) Phase 1 and 2, which will provide substantial energy savings through newer and more efficient power-generation engines.

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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    Categories: Media releases

  • Record crowd pours in for Cuvée Grand Tasting

    Tuesday, March 26, 2019 | By

    MEDIA RELEASE: 25 March 2019 – R00052

    It was another packed event this year as the 31st annual Cuvée Grand Tasting brought almost 900 guests together to celebrate excellence in the thriving Ontario wine industry.

    Organized by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the record crowd came to Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls Saturday, March 23 to sample from the largest selection of Ontario wines under one roof and taste unique culinary dishes from local chefs.

    “This is the largest event of its kind and the strong turnout of guests year after year truly showcases the importance of our grape and wine industry and the strong level of support it garners from our community,” said Cuvée manager Barb Tatarnic.

    The Grand Tasting also honours the talented people who work in the $4.4-billion Ontario grape and wine industry.

    The Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence, presented to the individual or institution that best furthers the aims and aspirations of Ontario’s wine industry, was awarded to Doug Whitty and 13th Street Winery. Whitty is a third-generation Niagara grape grower and was the 2017 Grape King. As he called Whitty to the stage to receive the award, Tony Aspler credited him and 13th Street Winery with “enhancing the winery experience with art and sculpture and, of course, butter tarts.”

    Whitty called Aspler a “pioneer in this industry.”

    “He was there right from the beginning supporting us,” he said. “It is really a great honour for me to win this award, I am very humbled and thankful.”

    The Winemaker of Excellence Award winner was Bruce Nicholson from Inniskillin, who was selected for his contributions to the industry, his commitment to excellence and his mentorship to winemakers across Canada.

    This year’s Cuvée Vineyard of Excellence Award went to Martin Schuele, a grape grower in Beamsville. Sponsored by BASF Canada Inc., the award recognizes a grape grower who promotes excellence in vineyard practices.

    “The Cuvée Grand Tasting is a great opportunity for BASF to not only celebrate Ontario wines with our grape customers, but to also introduce those customers to some of the future industry leaders from Brock University and Niagara College,” said Scott Hodgins, Crop Manager, Horticulture for BASF Canada Inc.

    Schuele and his family, who grow for Arterra Wines Canada, have about 120 acres of vineyards and it’s been a family-owned operation since they arrived from Germany in the early 1980s.

    “Schuele vineyards have long been associated with vineyard excellence,” said CCOVI Senior Scientist Jim Willwerth. “Martin’s Chardonnay block was pristine with high quality fruit even in the tough 2018 vintage.”

    Cuvée also celebrates the next generation of winemakers and grape growers by providing scholarships to Brock University Oenology and Viticulture undergraduate and graduate students through the Cuvée Legacy Fund.

    The Cuvée Scholarship winners are:

    • Cuvée Hosting Award for Academic Excellence: Marnie Crombleholme
    • Cuvée Award for Academic Excellence: Jessica Oppenlaender
    • Cuvée Award for Academic Excellence in OEVC: Jeffrey Moote
    • Cuvée Graduate Scholarship: Jennifer Kelly

    “We are so pleased to provide these scholarship opportunities and industry recognition for the very deserving students of Brock’s Oenology and Viticulture programs,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “The Cuvée Grand Tasting is a full-circle celebration of excellence in our industry, honouring the best and brightest in the business today, and looking forward to those who will shape the industry in the future.”

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Britt Dixon, Communications Officer, Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University bdixon@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x4471

    * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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    Categories: Media releases

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