March 31st marked the day the lights went out at Red River College — as staff and students joined in Earth Hour activities taking place throughout the world.

At 8:30 p.m., RRC turned off all non-essential lighting, joining the millions of individuals and organizations who unplugged to show their commitment to environmental sustainability.

“Sustainability is an important concept at RRC, and it continues to be a significant focus in our new strategic plan,” says RRC President Stephanie Forsyth. “It’s about taking measures that enhance the viability of our institution, our environment, and our community.”

To reduce electrical consumption throughout the calendar year, RRC has installed occupancy sensors at construction and renovation sites, and developed a lighting replacement program using T5 and LED lighting.

“Collectively, we can do even more to reduce our impact,” says Forsyth. “Even small actions — like turning off the lights when daylight is sufficient, powering down your computer when it’s not in use, and re-considering the use of ancillary equipment like space heaters — can make a world of difference.”