HECtare urbain is an urban agriculture project coordinated by HEC Montréal’s Office of Sustainable Transition. The project aims to raise community awareness of the importance of preserving biodiversity and making responsible choices. The project offers community members many opportunities to acquire new knowledge and support sustainability.
The idea behind permaculture is to strengthen the interactions observed in the natural environment in order to maintain and develop the functions of a robust ecosystem.
« “Permaculture is a design science rooted in the observation of natural systems. The principles of permaculture teach us how to design ways of living that have the stability and resiliency of natural systems… It strives for a sustainable agricultural production that is energy efficient and respectful of living beings and their reciprocal relations, while leaving nature as much space as possible.”
The layout of the west path on HEC Montréal’s campus gave rise to a honey-producing forest. This layout was inspired by permaculture principles. The goal is to preserve, highlight and improve biodiversity and to create a place for exchanging, learning and conducting action research.
.
This component helps the community learn about and reuse native seeds. It raises public awareness of soil erosion and the diversity of plant genetics, and provides access to the region’s unknown plant heritage. Food diversity, which is a key factor to adapt our food system to climate change, has unfortunately decreased over the past few decades.
.
The Office of Sustainable Development created and coordinates this program. The program falls within HEC Montréal’s teaching and academic role, including by:
This project:
HECtare urbain is managed by an executive committee composed of volunteers, staff and members of the student and alumni communities. The committee’s work aims to encourage people to take part in the project, ensure its financial perpetuity and exchange and share knowledge and ideas.
To participate, email ddurable@hec.ca
The project continues to grow thanks to its volunteers, partners and donors.
Do you want to join them? Email ddurable@hec.ca
Do you want to make a donation? Choose the option “Sustainability initiatives Fund” in the online donation form.
Hectare urbain project managers would like to thank their partners and founders, without whom the project would not have been possible. In particular, they would like to highlight the role of Jacques Fortin, Johanne Turbide, Émilie Nolet, Karine Navilys et Nadia Ponce-Morales.
Accreditations
.
To contact the Office of Sustainable Transition
Office of Sustainable Transition
Côte-Sainte-Catherine building
3000, chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine
Office 3.870 (see floor plan)
Montréal (Quebec) Canada
H3T 2A7
