Sustainability efforts in Niagara have taken a digital leap forward with the recent introduction of a crowdsourcing website developed by a Niagara College research team.
Niagara Research’s digital media and IT team recently worked with Niagara Sustainability Initiative to develop a crowdsourcing website that allows regional businesses to share and celebrate local sustainability efforts.
The interactive database includes anything and everything related to environmental sustainability, allowing members of the community, newcomers and visitors alike to access and post information.
From goods and services purchased, to events attended, and workplace and transportation issues,Crowdsourcing Sustainability Niagara engages Niagara’s growing community to celebrate local sustainability efforts.
The website allows users to “pin” environmental sustainability-related stories on a map of the region. Categorized by interests, users can filter through these stories and learn about the efforts, events and initiatives taking place across Niagara that help preserve the region’s beautiful landscape.
For example, when one clicks on the book icon for Niagara College’s Welland or Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, a small window appears with a short description of the environmental study programs available. The window also provides a link to more information and direct contact information for the College.
The project was made possible by funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to NSI, and involved the use of lab space and the expertise of the Niagara Research team, which includes faculty, Niagara College graduates and research associates, and is located at the Welland Campus of Niagara College.
