³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµ

Nature Positive University

Become a Nature Positive University

InÌý2022, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµ joined hundreds of higher education institutions around the world to , a commitment toÌýstartÌýa nature-positive journeyÌývia its teaching, research,Ìýoperations,ÌýandÌýsupply chain.ÌýAsÌýpart of thisÌýpledge,Ìý³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµÌýwillÌýestablishÌýa biodiversity baseline, decideÌýon targets,ÌýtakeÌýaction,Ìýand report annuallyÌýon progress.Ìý

In 2023, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµ launched its inaugural  Biodiversity Plan 2030, which marked a milestone in the University’s commitment to biodiversity.ÌýTheÌýOffice of Sustainability led the creation ofÌýtheÌýBiodiversity Plan in collaboration with faculty, staff, and students from 15 academic and administrative units.ÌýTogether, the stakeholders elaborated the vision that ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµ willÌýmonitor, protect, and enhance biodiversity via its research, teaching, and operations, while raising awareness and engaging community members both on and beyond our campuses.Ìý

Biodiversity plays many functions, including the provision ofÌýnumerousÌýcontributions to people—or ecosystem services—such as food, recreation, flood control, air purification, climate regulation, and scientific and artistic inspiration. Yet, global biodiversity is declining, with more than 2,000 species at risk of extinction in Canada. The Biodiversity Plan is the first concerted effort to align biodiversity actions among students, staff, and faculty across the University to protect biodiversity and its contributions to people at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµ.ÌýÌý

ÌýRead ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµ's Biodiversity Plan

ÌýLisez le Plan de biodiversité

Key Progress

³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµÌýhas taken concrete steps to enhance and protect biodiversity across its campuses and lands.Ìý

  • The ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµ Biodiversity Atlas is a digital repository of biodiversity and environmental datasets and information about the University’s properties. The Atlas’sÌýinteractive map features species observation records, spacesÌýthat support biodiversity,ÌýandÌýtree canopy and urban heat distributionÌýdata.Ìý

  • ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµ hasÌýbegunÌýtoÌýestablishÌýbiodiversity zones on campus with a goal toÌýmanage 30% of its greenspacesÌýto foster biodiversityÌýby 2030.Ìý

  • A yearly and BioblitzÌýhave beenÌýhosted on our campusesÌýsince 2023ÌýtoÌýengageÌýstudents, faculty, and staff in efforts to protect and improve biodiversityÌýat ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµ.

Get Involved

Students, staff, and faculty members canÌýhelp inventoryÌýbiodiversityÌýatÌý³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµÌýby using Ìý, a crowdsourced species identification system. By documenting the plants, insects, birds, mammals, and other wildlife seen on campus, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµians contribute valuable observational data that can inform biodiversity effortsÌýwhileÌýlearningÌýmore about the natural world that surrounds them.Ìý

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies a university as Nature Positive?

A Nature Positive University is committed to halting its negative impactÌýon natureÌýand enhancing its positiveÌýimpactÌýthroughÌýrestoration.ÌýWhile the criteria for a university to be consideredÌýnatureÌýpositiveÌýcanÌýdiffer depending on capacity and ambition,Ìýthe core goalÌýisÌýto contribute meaningfully to nature conservation and restoration. ToÌýlearnÌýmore,ÌývisitÌýÌý

Where can I track ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµâ€™s progress towards its objectives?

YouÌýcanÌýtrack ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµâ€™s progress towards itsÌýbiodiversityÌýobjectivesÌýviaÌýtheÌýÌýandÌýby consulting ³ÉÈËVRÊÓÆµâ€™sÌýClimate &ÌýSustainability Annual Report.Ìý

Back to top