ASHRAE Toronto Zoo Conservation & Retrofit Mechanical Tour
June 7 @ 8:45 am - 11:00 am EDT
Join ASHRAE Toronto for a tour of the conservation and decarbonization efforts at the Toronto Zoo — future engineers aged 12+ are encouraged to attend this special event!
Situated on 700 acres in the city’s Rouge Valley, the zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals, including 300 different species from around the globe, each with unique heating and cooling requirements for optimal health and comfort in every season.
Hosts Kyla Greenham, Manager of Conservation Programs & Environment, and Dave Mugford, Manager of Facilities & Maintenance, will take us behind-the-scenes for a look at recent mechanical room upgrades and showcase the zoo’s net-zero CO₂ journey, including:
- Solar, wind, steam, vapour-compression, and energy storage solutions used to sustainably power, heat, and cool animal habitats and guest amenities
- The biogas plant that generates enough electricity from the zoo’s organic waste to power a neighbourhood
- Floating gardens providing natural water filtration, and initiatives to restore biodiversity in wild habitats across Canada
SPECIAL NOTICE:
We are excited to announce that this tour will feature a technical presentation by speakers from the engineering/construction team responsible for design and installation of mechanical retrofits currently underway at the Americas Pavilion, as well as the Pygmy and River Hippo Pools. They will highlight key factors in retrofit design, talk to us about career paths in engineering, and share some of their personal inspiration for doing this work!
SPEAKERS
Joanne Whyte, P.Eng., PMP
Construction Manager
Joanne Whyte is a Construction Manager at Ecosystem who brings six years of experience in the construction industry to her role. She specializes in overseeing the implementation of complex energy retrofit projects across government, commercial, and healthcare facilities. With exceptional organizational skills, inspiring leadership, and clear communication, Joanne is a vital bridge between clients, contractors, and suppliers.
Yannick Trottier, P.Eng., CEM
Senior Design Engineer
Yannick Trottier is a Senior Design Engineer at Ecosystem, in licensed practice for over 20 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT and has specialized in innovative decarbonization and climate change solutions for the last 12 years. He has built a proven track record of delivering measurable results.
Date and Time: Saturday, June 7, 2025 @ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Rain or shine! Tickets include all-day general admission.
Tour Location: Toronto Zoo 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7
Safety Considerations: Please note that due to close proximity to mechanical equipment, the zoo has restricted this event to ages 12+. This tour involves walking long distances.
Discounted Tickets: Friends and family not participating in the tour can purchase general admission tickets for June 7 at 15% off. (See your event announcement email for details on how to access these rates through the Toronto Zoo portal).
Parking: Discounted rates are available for purchase through our ticketing system.
Itinerary:
- 8:45 AM – Meet-up at the zoo’s front entrance
- 9:00 AM – Scheduled tour begins
- 11:00 AM – Tour concludes! Meet up with friends and family to enjoy coffee or lunch at one of several park restaurants.