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91直播 Receives $1.25 Million to Launch the Butterfield Environment & Sustainability Stream in the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program

91直播 alumni聽George 鈥�61 and Martha 鈥�63 Butterfield聽have generously donated $1.25 million to the College to establish the聽new Butterfield Environment & Sustainability Stream聽in the聽Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program.

鈥淕lobally relevant institutions such as 91直播 and the University of Toronto have a vital role to play in educating future leaders about the importance of sustainability and the environment. With this new stream Trinity, in partnership with the University of Toronto鈥檚 School of the Environment, is stepping into that leadership role. It will also be the only program at the University that allows first-year students to look at environmental issues from both arts and sciences perspectives,鈥� said聽Prof. Mayo Moran, Provost and Vice-Chancellor of 91直播. 鈥淭rinity is so very fortunate to have the commitment and generosity of alumni like George and Martha Butterfield to make this partnership a reality.鈥�

The new Butterfield Environment & Sustainability Stream will examine the most challenging issues surrounding the environment and sustainability. 91直播 will learn how to think about the complexities of environmental sustainability from both theoretical and scientific perspectives. 91直播 will study the ethical issues arising from the way humans interact with nature, the human impacts on physical and biological systems, and identify pathways to sustainability. An exciting complement to the current interdisciplinary Trinity One Program, the inaugural cohort of first-year students will be enrolled in the stream in September 2018.

Martha and George Butterfield

George and Martha Butterfield, founders of Butterfield & Robinson, a world leader in luxury active travel, have a deep commitment to the environment, spanning more than 50 years. Both have been integral in a number of sustainable projects in Toronto and at 91直播.

鈥淚t was important to George and me that our gift help to educate students on the issues and challenges of environmental stewardship and give them the tools to see the issues from a variety of perspectives,鈥澛�Martha Butterfield聽said. 鈥淓nvironmental issues are complex by nature. We saw the Trinity One Program as the perfect fit for a multi-faceted approach to the issues.鈥�

罢丑别听Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program聽was established in 2005 to offer discussion-based seminar courses to first-year students in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto. The program provides students the opportunity to explore major issues and ideas pertaining to human life and world affairs, while in a small-group environment conducive to deep discussion, interaction and mentorship with faculty through classroom learning and co-curricular programs. The small community also allows students to get to know their peers and study with Trinity鈥檚 exceptional faculty.

鈥淭he Trinity One Program has, from the very beginning, adopted an interdisciplinary approach to the most pressing social issues facing human beings. Environmental problems have increasingly become a common thread in our various streams. Creating a new stream dedicated to the study of the environment is a natural progression and it will absolutely strengthen the existing complement,鈥� said聽Prof. Michael Kessler, Director and Raymond Pryke Chair in the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program. 鈥淎s with all of our offerings in Trinity One, the new stream will focus on collaborative learning through guided discussion. We look at the best arguments for all points of view and try to leave no stone unturned. By using this method, students acquire advanced skills in their first year, and this allows them to hit the ground running as they move into their majors and specialist programs.鈥�

The Butterfield Environment & Sustainability Stream will further enrich the Trinity One Program, which includes the following streams:聽International Relations;聽Ethics, Society & Law;聽Policy, Philosophy & Economics;聽Anne Steacy Biomedical Health; and聽Anne Steacy Medicine & Global Health.

This is also the first time a stream has been developed in collaboration with a University partner.聽Prof. Michael Ratcliffe, Trinity鈥檚 Dean of Arts and Vice-Provost, said the collaboration with the School of the Environment adds value to both institutions. 鈥淲hen one looks at the outcomes for interdepartmental collaboration, the benefits are clear. This partnership will give our Trinity One students access to even more resources at the University while building academic relationships and networks that will benefit them for years to come,鈥� Prof. Ratcliffe said. 鈥淚t also exposes students to the field of Environmental Sciences, which is a unique opportunity for first-year students at U of T, and offers a path to continue their studies.鈥�

Equally important to George and Martha Butterfield is that their gift is invested in a way that reflects their lifelong commitment to the environment, and that students understand that the courses are funded by sustainable investments. To that end, 91直播 has partnered with Greenchip Financial, a firm that invests only in companies that provide products and services that improve the efficiency of natural resource use and address environmental challenges.

鈥淪upporting Trinity in their mandate to foster leadership and responsibility is mutually beneficial,鈥澛�George Butterfield聽said. 鈥淢artha and I are committed to supporting innovative change through education, and we couldn鈥檛 think of a better place than the school that is so meaningful to us. We believe that this stream has the potential to give students the foundation they need to effect real change as future leaders.鈥�

Applications for the 2018-2019 Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program are now open. Trinity One is open to all full-time students entering their first year of study in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the St. George campus, regardless of college affiliation. For more information, visit聽www.trinity.utoronto.ca/trinityone.

(Photo by Chris Wahl)

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