News

Bryce Sharpe, a graduate student from the Rural Planning and Development program, spoke at the Elmira Produce Auction Cooperative (EPAC) Annual Grower’s Meeting held in the Town of Elmira in December. Bryce’s talk was part of his research dealing with policy for farm parcel creation in the Region of Waterloo. His research aims to document Mennonite perspectives regarding existing policy, as well as the strategies that Mennonite farmers are taking to adjust to, and even take advantage of, small parcel size.

Congratulations to the following School of Environmental Design and Rural Development undergraduate and graduate students who received the following awards at the Ontario Agriculture College fall awards celebration banquet which were held on November 18 and December 2, 2014:

The MSc in Capacity Development & Extension at the University of Guelph is aimed at students interested in acquiring the theoretical foundation and applied skills for the interdisciplinary field of agricultural knowledge management, rural and environmental communication, adult learning and applied leadership and organizational change studies.

Rural Landowner Stewardship Guide for the Ontario Landscape receives an Excellence in Planning Award from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.

The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph received an Excellence in Planning Award from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute for the Rural Landowner Stewardship Guide for the Ontario Landscape The award was received at Queens Park on November 7, 2014 in the Communications/Public Education category.

In 2014 the Landscape Architecture programs at the University of Guelph established the first chapter of the Honor Society of Landscape Architects, Sigma Lambda Alpha, outside of the United States. The society, like other professional honour societies, recognizes leadership and scholarship among the student body. Sigma Lambda Alpha is the only honour society for landscape architecture and it has more than fifty chapters and 8,000 members - it’s name figuratively represents the the society: Scholar, Landscape Architect.

Mike Salisbury has been re-elected Councillor for City of Guelph’s Ward 4.  Mike is a specialist in the design and development of natural playgrounds and outdoor learning environments for schools, daycare centres and municipalities across North America.  He served as a Councillor for Ward 4 between 2006 and 2010 and will now serve a second term.  He entered the Master of Planning program in the fall of 2013.  Mike also has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Guelph.

During the New Realities, New Relationships Conference the 2014 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on September 26, 2014. The meeting reviewed the achievements of the Foundation over the past year, discussed our financial audit, reviewed proposed bylaw revisions, and elected new board members.

Students from the Rural Planning and Development program visited the Town of Goderich to meet with local officials and study the rebuilding efforts that have been on-going over the last 3 years.  This field visit continues the Schools interest in contributing to and learning from these initiatives.  The town has undergone major rebuilding and landscaping efforts following an important planning process that involved students in Planning, Landscape Architecture and Capacity Development and Extension.

During the 2014 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) conference held on September 28, 2014 in Prince George, British Columbia retired Rural Planning and Development Professors, David Douglas and Tony Fuller were awarded Lifetime Memberships to recognize their outstanding contributions to the betterment of rural Canada and the Foundation.

Find full article of CRRF website under Lifetime Members.