Award of Excellence Acknowledges GIS Provider's Significant Contribution to the Environment

TORONTO – November 16, 2010 – ESRI Canada, which provides enterprise geographic information system (GIS) solutions, today announced that its green roof has received a Design Award of Excellence from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), a North American nonprofit association that promotes living architecture.  ESRI Canada's project won in the extensive industrial/commercial green roof category and was selected for its integrated design that includes aesthetic, economic, functional and ecological components.  Designed in conjunction with Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc., the project demonstrates ESRI Canada's focus on sustainability and solid commitment to the environment.

“Our green roof delivers significant economic, social and environmental benefits not only to the company but also to our city,” said Alex Miller, president, ESRI Canada and co-designer of the green roof.  “Green roofs reduce the urban heat effect, lowering energy consumption.  They retain up to 75% of precipitation, and can save the city millions in stormwater and sewage overflow maintenance costs if all available green roof space is used.  We're proud of the incredible impact our project has made to the environment and our society, and look forward to further increasing awareness for the importance of green roofs in building healthier cities.”

Being a tenant did not deter the company from convincing its landlord to turn a 7,500-square-foot concrete terrace into a living rooftop garden.  Also, it pursued the project despite a global financial recession and completed its green roof in 2009.  The result is a portable, accessible green roof with a stunning array of trees, flowering plants, evergreens and grasses.  The green roof has provided an enhanced environment for staff, visitors and the community, as well as additional habitat for urban birds.  The garden reduces surface temperature, providing up to 10% energy savings for air conditioning.  The successful project has received numerous accolades, including the 2010 Green Toronto Award, Toronto's environmental award of excellence; a Certificate of Merit for Service to the Environment from the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects; and an honourable mention at the 2009 Design Exchange Awards.

Winners of GRHC's Design Awards were selected by a seven-member, multi-disciplinary judging team of landscape architects, engineers and horticulturists.  The awards will be officially presented at CitiesAlive 2010, the association's annual green roof conference and trade show, which will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia from November 30 to December 3.

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About ESRI Canada
Founded in 1984, ESRI Canada provides enterprise geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower businesses, governments and educational institutions to make timely, informed and mission-critical decisions by leveraging the power of geography.  The company distributes the world's leading GIS software from ESRI, Telvent, Azteca Systems and other technology partners.  Headquartered in Toronto, the company serves over 10,000 customers from 16 regional offices across Canada and has been named as one of the top 250 Canadian IT companies and top 25 IT professional services providers in Canada by the Branham Group.  Information about ESRI Canada can be found at esricanada.com.

Media contact:
Joy Chan
PR Specialist
ESRI Canada
416-386-6488
Email Contact
esricanada.com