The AJ Environmental Education Directory 2007

Located in Wolfville, Canada’s first fair-trade town, it’s no surprise that community involvement is a key component of coursework at Acadia. The world becomes the classroom for students who attend a 10-day field course, including a mock environmental impact assessment complete with public consultation. Community groups may be the subject for honours students’ theses, while first year students can spend a weekend studying porcupines, deer or forestry at the Morton Centre, a farmhouse turned field research station. Overall, faculty interests range from the depths of submarine canyon ecology up to the alpine heights of paleoclimatic research.

Wolfville is a “university town” known for its socially and environmentally sustainable initiatives. You can even drop by the mayor’s office for a visit, and it’s an easy jaunt from campus to explore coastal tidal marshes, a two-and-a-half-hectare native species botanical garden, and 20 hectares of walking trails.

Students can join a wide range of green groups on campus. The Greening Acadia Committee, a multistakeholder group, works to institutionalize greener campus policies such as idle-free zones. The student union’s sustainability office helped with the university’s ongoing effort to refit all facilities with energy-saving devices.

Campus outreach is the focus of the Acadia Environmental Society. This group promotes use of reusable mugs and is working with the campus food service provider on local food options. Its ultimate goal is to establish an agricultural co-op with local farmers.

Recycling and greening residences is the focus for the Advanced Waste and Resource Education (AWARE) student group. The Green Cup competition pits residences against one another in a race to reduce waste and energy consumption. This fall, Acadia hosted the Green Campus Summit “Closing the Green Gap,” bringing together students from Atlantic schools in Canada and the US. Dump and Run, a massive annual garage sale, raises about $10,000 for a local charity. And rounding out the term, EnviroWeek is a spring event consisting of professor- and student-led workshops ranging from paper­making­ to bike repair.

Bishop’s University
Sherbrooke, Quebec
www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/esg
Social Sciences Division, Department of Environmental­ Studies and Geography­: BA (Environmental Studies, Geography), Community­ Service Learning program in development

The Environmental Studies program at Bishop’s University balances physical science and social science courses with fieldwork that culminates in a final year seminar. Applied undergraduate­ research is obtained through community-based projects and research assistantships. Faculty take an interest in environmental organizations, especially­ those that work with the local watershed and explore problems such as flooding and impaired health. One professor actually offers a web-based community pollen forecast for allergy sufferers. During their studies, students perform a campus environmental audit as part of a course. To acknowledge the contribution that students make outside the classroom, a co-curricular profile for each student has been developed to complement academic transcripts.

Bishop’s is located in Lennoxville, a suburb of Sherbrooke, which lies in the heart of the mountainous, Eastern Townships region of Quebec.

Environmental clubs work together to promote sustainability at Bishop’s. Bishop’s University Sociology and Environmental Council is the green leader on campus, having created a community garden and composting project in concert with the university’s administration. The council also runs free tables featuring local, organic and vegan food, holds town clean-ups, and operates a toxic waste drop-off station, which helps establish a good relationship­ between local residents and students. The club also holds weekly movie nights.

Last spring’s Rock for the River fundraiser contributed to a clean-up of the Massawippi River and featured local organic food and information booths. Reusable grocery bags and mugs were given away, and the academic­ club distributed geography­-related prizes and gift certificates for local organic food as part of an environmental­ question game show. In the coming year, the committee hopes to establish a greenhouse and plant berry bushes. It was also host to a Get Green Festival that featured art, local, organic and vegan food, a free market, workshops, and a community kitchen. The Environmental Studies and Geography­ Academic Club fosters discus­sion­ between students and professors­ at wine and cheese events.

Brock University
St. Catharines, Ontario
www.brocku.ca/tren
Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Tourism and Environment: BA (Tourism and Environment), Certificate in Environment

The socio-ecological aspects of tourism at local, national and international levels are the focus of Brock University’s environmental program. Professors with backgrounds ranging from theology to economics help students customize a program that suits their chosen area of research. To ground these individualized programs in a common core, all first year Tourism and Environment students take a course called Sustainability Perspectives and their Application to Tourism.

Students can undertake applied research in collaboration with agencies such as the Niagara Parks Commission, municipal governments, conservation organizations and regional tourism agencies. Those interested in learning while travelling can take domestic or international field courses and exchanges as close as Haliburton, Ontario or as far afield as Thailand or Europe.

Brock is located in St. Catharines, Ontario, near Lake Ontario and within the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. It is situated within Ontario’s premiere fruit- and wine-growing region, and the Bruce Trail runs through campus. Forests, lakes and wetlands surround Brock, which is a short distance away from Shorthills Provincial Park and the 12-Mile Creek Valley.

The Brock University Student Union (BUSU) has demonstrated its commitment to the environment through the creation of BioBUSU, a body that unites on-campus groups with green agendas and creates new environmental policies. By using the group’s Eco-Friendly Event Checklist that offers instructions and advice on how to green the use of food services, manage food waste, conserve energy and recycle as efficiently as possible, students can run events more sustainably.

BioBUSU’s newly formed Environment Committee will create a formal environmental policy for the student union, and the group currently recycles batteries and printer cartridges.

The student-run Eco-Club accepts members from all faculties, and is responsible for the universal bus pass that is available to all students. OPIRG-Brock also promotes environmental awareness on campus through its Stuff-Swap, a vegetarian potluck dinner and trading post, and through its working group, G.R.O.W. (Growing Respect for Offshore Workers), which intends to build relationships with Niagara’s seasonal agricultural workers.

Cape Breton University
Sydney, Nova Scotia
cbu.ca/cbu
School of Science and Technology: BSc (Community Studies), BTech (Environmental Studies), Average first year class size: 16

Within Cape Breton University’s (CBU) Community Studies program, there are three diverse areas of concentration. In the Integrative Science stream, students learn a combination of conventional science and the holistic world view of the Mi’kmaq First Nations. Those in the Psychology, Health and Environment stream study individual and community well-being. And the Biodiversity stream combines science and environment with cultural and social issues. For those interested in a more technical program, the BTech degree teaches applied approaches to solving environmental problems.

In all streams, practical experience can be found in the local area. Working as research assistants, science students can visit the Sydney Tar Ponds to explore the effects of hazardous waste discharges on marine fish, birds and beetles. And those who are interested in the social and political side of environmentalism can participate in real public forums to see how the decision­-making and consulting process actually works. Soon, the Cape Breton Development­ Corporation will offer opportunities to research and restore inoperable mines.

The campus is located in Sydney, in a rural area of Cape Breton Island near Glace Bay. Surrounded by a forest and golf course, the campus offers ample opportunities for students to hike, cross-country ski and snowshoe.

According to the student union (CBSU), environmental awareness on campus is on the upswing. In fact, the CBSU recently collaborated with the government’s Atlantic Coastal Action Program Cape Breton to promote idle-free zones around campus. These two groups are also exploring wind power options to help the university offset its consumption of coal-fired electricity. To set a good example, the CBSU prints double-sided, and all monies received from its bottle recycling program are donated to charity.

This summer, a brand new multistakeholder­ environmental committee, informally known as the CBU Green Team, expects to up the green ante.

Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario
www.carleton.ca/geography
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Department­ of Geography and Environmental Studies­: BA (Environmental Studies), Practicum available

First year students at Carleton do not declare a major right away. Instead, those interested in the environment take a cluster of courses aimed at developing discussion and community. Course clusters leading to an Environmental Studies major include Globalization Matters, It’s Your Environment and Global Environmental Systems. Within the Environmental Studies major, courses are grouped into themes including Environment; Policy and Law; Environmental Attitudes and Ethics; Human Population and the Built Environment; and Environment, Economy and Development. Students can choose from this list or create their own theme that better reflects their interests. A second-year field course may focus on the social and physical elements of watershed management, and a fourth-year practicum offers experience with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Health Canada, Parks Canada or other government agencies.

Carleton’s campus is situated close to the Rideau River, the Rideau Canal and Dow’s Lake. Walking trails, the Hartwell Locks, and the Experimental Farm and Arboretum are nearby, as is Gatineau Park, the Mer Bleue Wetland, Fletcher Wildlife Gardens and local conservation areas. At 7.8 kilometres­ in length, the Rideau Canal is the world’s longest skating rink.

The Carleton Campus Sustainability Network keeps on-campus clubs and groups focusing on sustainability. This organization, created with the help of OPIRG Carleton, runs a Sustainability Week conference with speakers and workshops, encourages energy reduction through the CarletON>OFF campaign, and offers discounts to people using reusable mugs through its Lug-a-Mug program.

OPIRG Carleton also brought recycling to campus, has groups working on animal rights and fair trade, and runs the Radical Frosh week for student activists. North Facing South is a sustainable living project at the Sharbot­ Lake Resource Centre, and the Oxbow Park Naturalization Site has been rehabilitating a section of campus with native species since 1994.

The volunteer Carleton Food Collective runs Garden Spot, a vegan, pay-what-you-can café that serves healthy meals in reusable containers. And when the school year is over, Keen for Green provides local children with a nature-based summer camp.

Concordia University
Montreal, Quebec
gpe.concordia.ca
Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geography, Planning and Environment: BA (Human Environment), BSc (Environmental Science), Internship course available
MSc (Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies)
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Impact Assessment (internship and course options)

Students from all faculties at Concordia can take a course called Sustainable University Campuses. Every three years, students collect data for the campus environmental audit as part of their coursework and between audits they act on the previous audit’s recommendations. Within the department, faculty interests range from forest management, to sustainable transportation in Asia, to indigenous resource management in Canada. In their senior year, students can take an internship for which they work either locally or abroad.

Concordia is located in downtown Montreal, on top of a metro station and within walking distance of Parc du Mont-Royal and its panoramic views of the city. There are many ways students can implement their classroom knowledge in extracurricular activities. For example, the group Study in Action links students with local community organizations who need research completed.
The administrative sustainability co-ordinator works closely with the student-based Sustainable Concordia office, which works on the campus environmental audit and runs a greenhouse in conjunction with the department. The greenhouse has weekly plant sales, worm swaps and workshops on vermicomposting.

Concordia has over 65 active student environmental clubs and associations. To list a few, R4 is a waste management project that gathers one-sided paper and turns it into notepads, rents cutlery and glassware for campus events, and collects waste and reusable items for resale. A related project is R4 Compost.

Allego Concordia is a sustainable transport initiative that encourages car-free days, supplies bike racks and operates the University of the Streets Café, a networking group. La Voie Libre – The Right to Move – is a volunteer-run bike co-op that teaches bike maintenance. On the food side of things, the People’s Potato serves free vegan meals to the campus community made from food obtained from grocery store seconds, and The Frigo Vert is a student-run natural foods co-op.

Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia
environmental.science.dal.ca
Faculty of Science: BSc (Environmental Science (ES), ES and Community Design, ES and International Development Studies), Co-op available, Average class size: 20
management.dal.ca
Faculty of Management, School for Resource and Environmental Studies: MES (Environmental­ Studies), MREM (Resource and Environmental Management, a professional­ degree), Internship available in MES, Average class size: 15

Even before handing in an application, potential students are able to take advantage of Dalhousie’s Environmental Science mentorship program and chat with current students. Once enrolled, environment students can take a 10-day field course in which they study the natural world while camping and day-tripping around Nova Scotia. To earn professional experience, the Internship course offers credits to students who implement a project within the government or a non-governmental organization. Students have been known to turn this volunteer placement into employment. One individual used the course to create Green Perspectives, a peer-reviewed journal that showcases the work of undergraduates.

Another favourite course, affectionately known as Greening the Campus, requires the class to devise solutions to environmental problems right on school grounds. One past project promoted use of reusable mugs in the café, while another created an online green map to promote campus stewardship. Faculty and students also worked together to create Ocean Pond, a marine research facility that contains nine ecological areas from bog to riparian fringe. Faculty research interests range from marine ecotoxicology to eco-industrial park planning.

Dal is located in a well-treed, residential area of Halifax. Woods are scattered around the grounds, and a large quad frequently hosts Ultimate Frisbee. Volunteers at the Seymour Organic Community Garden offer workshops and work parties on growing your own food and medicine.

Student and community groups combined their efforts to create a Green Café on campus, a fundraiser for clean water in Africa called WaterCan, and a variety of outdoor clubs. And thanks to SustainDal, an active student group that promotes institutional greening, sustainability is a growing priority. The university recently welcomed a new director of sustainability within the president’s office and a sustainability co-ordinator within the student union.

King’s University College
Edmonton, Alberta
www.kingsu.ca
Environmental Studies Department: BA, BSc (Environmental Studies), Internship required

At King’s, everyone enrolled in Environmental Studies (ES) selects a second major to complement his or her interdisciplinary ES courses. To earn professional experience, students must complete a 13-week internship and a self-directed research project. Each fall, ecology students take a three-day field trip across boreal, aspen parkland, grasslands, and spruce parkland eco-regions, with a stop at Dinosaur Provincial Park in Southern Alberta to discuss biodiversity and cultural conservation with park managers. In addition, students enrolled in environmental impact assessment courses travel to the oil sands in Fort McMurray and a paper mill to witness the impact of industrial practices and speak with industry experts.

King’s is part of the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, which offers international field courses. Students can travel internationally where they undertake environmental and community development work. This opportunity is sponsored through the Micah Centre, which was established on campus to support social justice issues. The Micah Studies Certificate, which is under development, will focus on international justice. Other possible areas for internships include summer research with faculty or placements in industry, government or a non-government environmental agency.

King’s is on a 10-hectare urban campus on Edmonton’s east side. A constructed wetland borders the sports field, where rabbits, Richardson ground squirrels, short-tailed weasels, gray partridge, red-tailed hawks and the occasional coyote can be spotted.

The Action and Awareness Club is a growing student group devoted to environmental and social justice projects on campus. The club worked with the City of Edmonton to improve recycling in residences and has also organized milk carton recycling in the cafeteria. And since hiring a food service provider from the region, the amount of local food served in the dining hall may increase. Other events raise student awareness and promote ecological thought. For example, painted murals in residence stairwells encourage students to take the stairs instead of the elevator, and a fair-trade fashion show and coffee night encourage mindful consumption.

Lakehead University
Thunder Bay, Ontario
http://facscien.lakeheadu.ca
Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies: BES (Environmental Studies in Geography), BESc (Environmental Science in Biology or Earth Science or Geography­)
outdoorrec.lakeheadu.ca
Faculty of Professional Schools, School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism: MES (Environmental Studies in Nature-Based Recreation­ and Tourism)

Lakehead’s BES in geography combines natural sciences with indigenous learning, and economic, urban and cultural geography. The MES in nature-based recreation and tourism focuses on field-oriented social-science research. In the past, students have worked with Parks Canada, Banff National Park and even ski resorts in Japan. Faculty have research links with aboriginal communities in the Hudson Bay Lowlands and with communities on Lake Superior. A two-week field school at the beginning of first year sets students up for future research before classes even start.

The Food Security Research Network is a course-based project that unites faculty and students from many departments ranging from Geography and Biology to Women’s Studies and Business. As part of the network’s Community Service Learning component, geography students can work with partners in alternative agriculture and waste management.

The Lakehead campus sits on 116 hectares of land that includes the McIntyre River. Mixed boreal forest and open meadows feature hiking paths that link to the Trans-Canada Trail. Wildlife on campus includes merlins, pileated woodpeckers, warblers, steelhead trout, the occasional black bear, white-tailed deer, otters and fox. The Advanced Heritage Interpretation Class developed an interactive website and an audio self-guided tour to promote campus stewardship.

The Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) is at the forefront of environmental initiatives. To encourage use of public transit LUSU established a universal bus pass and operates a Bike Shack that includes a bike maintenance and repair room. The group’s commun­ity garden offers space for students to grow vegetables, and this summer, LUSU worked on restoring the Braun Building Courtyard by planting native species to attract butterflies and create a relaxing space for students. In addition, Lakehead’s new Green Initiative encourages sustainable practices throughout plant operations, ranging from proper battery disposal and use of reusable containers to the reduction of energy and pesticide use.

McGill University
Montreal, Quebec
www.mcgill.ca/mse
The McGill School of Environment: BA (Environment­), BA & BSc (Environment), BSc and BSc (AgEnvSc) (Environment), Internships available­, Diploma in Environment available

McGill’s environmental program offers many interdisciplinary options taught by a team of instructors who bring a diversity of perspectives into class. In addition, for a thorough understanding, each student selects an area of concentration, known as a domain, which spans multiple departments. Examples of domains include Biodiversity and Conservation, and Water Environments and Ecosystems.

There are many options for students to get outside to learn. An optional Field Study Semester allows students to spend four months completing a package of courses that can count toward their degree. Options include trips to Panama, Barbados or Africa in partnership with other universities. In their final year, all students work in interdisciplinary teams on applied research projects for a local business or organization. McGill also has plans to establish an Environmental Intern course.

The downtown campus is adjacent to the Parc du Mont Royal, in the heart of downtown Montreal, but the School of the Environment is also active on McGill’s Macdonald campus, located 35 kilometres west of downtown, in a semi-rural area next to Lac St. Louis.

With an impressive 20 or more active undergraduate and graduate organizations working on environmental issues at McGill, there are lots of ways to get involved. For example, the Environmental Residence Council works to green-up rez life, and the Committee for Environmental Responsibility, Education and Sustainability promotes use of reusable mugs and recycling, while Greening McGill rents reusable plates to students, runs an annual Car-Free Day and offers workshops galore.

The McGill Environment Students’ Society runs September’s awareness-raising EnviroFest, provides work space and support for other groups, runs special events and fundraisers, and offers student advice. Gorilla Composting turns food waste into fertilizer right on campus, and another group, When You Teach You Learn, educates students in local schools. Finally, the Sustainable McGill Project is a multistakeholder group working on the Sierra Youth Coalition’s Campus Assessment Framework in the hopes of establishing a sustainability office.

McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario
www.science.mcmaster.ca/~geo
School of Geography and Earth Sciences: BA (Geography and Environmental Studies), BSc (Earth and Environmental Science), Internships­ available

McMaster (Mac) offers two central environmental programs. Within the BA, which is administered by the Faculty of Social Science, students can study social and scientific aspects of environment in areas such as urban and regional geography, and health. Those in the BSc program, which is administered­ by the Faculty of Science, can study geosciences, geochemistry or hydrosciences. A number of field courses take students as far away as Oman, and a brand new internship course gives credit to those who volunteer­ with an organization. For their final report, students must reflect on how the position would fit into their career objectives.

Mac is located in a residential area of Hamilton, Ontario, near the shores of Lake Ontario. The core of the Mac campus features a blend of buildings and green space, and the school is close to spectacular natural areas such as Cootes Paradise, the 850-kilometre-long Bruce Trail, Niagara Escarpment, Royal Botanical Gardens and Waterfront Trail.

MACgreen, a service of the McMaster­ Students Union (MSU), strives to promote environmental initiatives on campus, especially the students’ Environmental Sustainability Operating Policy that was jointly created with MSU. Subgroups of MACgreen focus on specific issues and events. For example, the environmental events committee works with other groups to co-ordinate Cootes Clean Up and also promotes Buy Nothing Day each fall. The Alternative Transportation Committee promotes public transit, cycling and walking, and the Waste Reduction Committee focuses on paper reduction, recycling, reusable mugs and more.

Thanks to the work of Swap-a-Rama proponents, the City of Hamilton allows students to leave reusable household items on the curb for others to take during the annual moving day. RevWear is a fashion show of revolutionary and reusable clothing meant to discourage mindless consumption. Students are also working on a naturalized garden and adding an environmental sustainability pledge to the graduation ceremony. Events such as silkscreening and vermicomposting workshops are publicized in The Green Vine, Mac’s student-run environmental newsletter.

Memorial University
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
swgc.ca/envstudy/program.html
Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, Division of Social Sciences: BA (Environmental Studies in Environmental­ Perspectives or Outdoor Environmental­ Pursuits)

The Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) offers two environmental streams at its Grenfell College campus. Environmental Perspectives has a focus on policy, planning, education and communication, while Outdoor Environmental Pursuits assesses the impact of recreational activities on the environment. Soon students in both streams will have a new Environmental Valuation and Policy Lab. It will provide research advisors an opportunity to work with state-of-the-art, internet-based survey, policy-modelling and econometric software. Through the on-campus Centre for Environmental Excellence, the Humber River Basin Project explores economic development strategies in Newfoundland and Labrador, with a focus on sustainable forestry, sustainable tourism, and sustainable rural and municipal infrastructure.

Grenfell College is located on the outskirts of Corner Brook, near the Bay of Islands. Situated within the Long Range branch of the Appalachian Mountains, the campus is close to alpine skiing at Marble Mountain, cross-country­ skiing, golf, hiking and kayaking. The spectacular Gros Morne National Park is only an hour away.

The Environmental Affairs Committee of the Grenfell College Student Union promotes green projects on campus. They successfully purchased recycling bins for residences, implemented fair-trade coffee at the campus café and established a Rideshare carpooling program. Their plans for the upcoming year include reducing use of plastic bags, creating a more efficient recycling program and introducing on-campus composting. Sustainable Development in Motion holds events to raise awareness on campus, and the Outdoors Club meets regularly to hike, backpack, canoe, kayak, snowshoe, cat ski and winter camp.

About eight hours away, on the other side of the island, the St. John’s campus has a brand-new, full-time sustainability co-ordinator. Project Green, a student-driven group, is largely responsible for creating this position. They also focus on long-term sustainable transportation options and in the past have run The People and The Planet Fair, a week-long event with workshops, speakers, and a trade fair.

Mount Allison University
Sackville, New Brunswick
www.mta.ca/faculty/socsci/geograph/index.htm
Faculty of Social Science, Department of Geography and Environment: BA (Geography, Environmental Studies), BSc (Environmental Science), Internship available as an undergraduate teaching or research assistant. Average­ class size in second year: 23

M ost classes at Mount Allison (MTA) have a strong field component that combines community outreach with scientific research. For example, the Environmental Studies Education Project takes place at the wetland centre of a neighbouring high school. At this location, MTA students join with elementary and secondary school classes to identify and tag species of wildlife. Another opportunity for community research is within the town of Sackville. Students are encouraged to pick a pressing issue, like the environmental impact of the Confederation Bridge, and present findings to the municipal government. For students who want to go abroad, there is an annual trip to St. Lucia to study mangroves and help local schools clean up the beach.

Swan Pond has been a symbol of MTA since 1901, and is the site of picnics, cultural events and even skating. The Sackville Community Garden lies between MTA and a retirement home. Seniors, students and other community members have joined forces for the last five years to grow organic vegetables. Extra food is donated to the community food bank.

Several student groups worked together to develop the university’s strategic plan for the environment. The Environmental Issues Committee has been around since 1975. It sets energy reduction challenges for the school, monitors new recycling programs and initiated a sustainable residence program. The program provides a traditional, but energy-retrofitted home for 8 to12 students who are interested in eating organic food, composting and promoting sustainability to the other residences. Thanks to the efforts of the residence committee, a percentage of food served on campus must be locally sourced, and organic foods are used whenever possible.

The student-based Eco-Action group works on and off campus to raise environmental awareness. The Geography and Environment Society has run a recycling education campaign, a tree-planting day, a residence energy audit and has helped establish a wet-dry composting program.

Nipissing University
North Bay, Ontario
www.nipissingu.ca
Faculty of Arts and Science, Department of Geography: BA (Environmental Geography), BSc (Environmental Science and Physical Geography), BSc (Environmental Biology and Technology in connection with Canadore College), Certificate in Environmental Management­

At Nipissing, the BA program involves a blend of environmental science and human geography courses, which garner a depth of understanding that spans technical, scientific, social and political realms. In the combined Environmental Biology and Technology program, students take their second year at Canadore College, which is located on the Nipissing campus. It has all the analytical labs and instrumentation­ that students require.

By fourth year, some students can spend up to 50 per cent of their time working in the field. There are three field camps offered per year, two near North Bay, Ontario, and one in Victoria BC. On campus, hydrology courses use the trail system all year round and within the natural research preserve, a winterized bunkhouse makes work possible in any season. Two rooftop greenhouses are open for student research as well. Faculty interests range, in climate change alone, from mangroves in Mexico to snow and ice in Canada.

The Nipissing campus is situated on 291 hectares of forested Canadian Shield, is close to lakes and is connected to a 20-kilometre-long trail system for hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.

The brand new Ecovillage residence is a living research tool that emerged from a student project. This year, 12 students will reside in two townhouses that use low-flow shower heads, taps, and other energy-saving measures as well as compost to promote sustainability­. These students are required to lead workshops and presentations­ on their lessons learned and accomplishments.

The Environmental Action Committee­ is a student-led club with a variety of activities on the go. The group lobbied for organic and fair-trade coffee options on campus, promote use of reusable mugs, and organized trail clean-ups. The first-ever Can-Change Festival kicked off this year with a concert featuring local musicians, and a fair involving regional green businesses and organizations. The event attracted new students to the club and helped green the area.

Queen’s University
Kingston, Ontario
www.queensu.ca/envst
Faculty of Arts and Science: BA (Environmental Studies), BSc (Environmental Science)
School of Environmental Studies: MES (Environmental­ Studies)

At Queen’s, the School of Environmental Studies (ES) connects disciplines, since about half of the faculty spend time working in other departments. ES started out as a science program, but professors in Philosophy, Economics, Sociology and Women’s Studies now participate in the program.

Students complete the BA in Environmental Studies in connection with a social science or humanities department, depending on the student’s area of interest. Science projects involve the local community, and available field courses range from geology to environmental risk assessment. In both programs, students can study abroad to receive practical international experience. The graduate program accepts students with varied backgrounds, ranging from law to engineering to English, resulting in an interdisciplinary experience.

Queen’s is located in Kingston, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Ontario. Mature trees shade the campus where half of all plants are native to the region, and many of the 150-year-old buildings are constructed of distinctive limestone. The Queen’s Arboretum is a 10-hectare area where students can connect with nature, and inside the Integrated Learning Centre, a three-storey biowall purifies the air.

Established to link all faculty, students and staff involved in green initiatives, the Queen’s Sustainability Network just opened a sustainability office complete with an energy engineer to assist with projects. The student union Alma Mater Society has opened its own sustainability office to promote environmental leadership across campus.

Green Scheme is a student club that has worked on urban renewal initiatives such as the greening of the Hospice Palliative Care Garden in City Park, the King Street Historic Replanting project and the grooming of the Navy Memorial Park grounds. Another group, Students Taking Responsible Initiatives towards a Viable Environment (STRIVE), encourages discussion, and Greenup Kingston is an annual environmental fair that involves many students.

The Earth Centre caters to the needs of the environmentally minded folk on campus by providing information, places to meet and Earth-friendly household products.

Redeemer University College
Ancaster, Ontario
www.redeemer.ca/academics/science/envsci/index.html
Sciences Division: BA or BSc (Environmental Studies), Co-op available

As a liberal arts university, Redeemer requires all students to take a range of humanities courses in addition to their chosen subject of study. Those in ES must also take Philosophy of the Environment and two mandatory field courses through the Au Sable Institute for Environmental Studies, which offers trips to Michigan, Florida and Washington. In fourth year, students undertake an independent research project, which in the past has involved studies of the local watershed, campus composting and waste management.

The Redeemer campus is just outside Hamilton, near the shores of Lake Ontario. It has a one-hectare natural regeneration site that is part orchard, part successional land, and wholly reserved for research. In this area, which includes a pond and stream, students and local community members make use of an on-campus teaching garden. Each year, botany classes make a plan for a teaching garden using native species, and may, in the future, develop a biblical plant theme. Tree studies are also completed in this area, and neighbouring elementary school students visit the garden to identify plants and study the relationship between insects and soil. Redeemer students can spend their summers working with children at a summer science camp.

There is a growing number of environmental initiatives on campus. The Green Team is a student group that organizes volunteers to pick up compost and recycled materials from residences. Since students have their own kitchens, The Green Team is also working to increase the amount of local and organic food available in the campus grocery store, and a past community garden project may be revived by new members. The group promotes fair-trade coffee, reusable materials in the cafeteria and battery recycling, and participates in the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up in the Hamilton Harbour.

The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee is a multistakeholder group that evaluates on-campus projects with respect to their environmental impact. It is working on adding trails through a wooded area on campus, and administration has adopted the committee’s study on waste management.

Royal Roads University
Victoria, BC
royalroads.ca/ste
School of Environment and Sustainability: BSc (Environmental Management, Environmental Science), MA (Environmental Education and Communication), MSc/MA (Environmental Management), Graduate Diploma in Environmental Education and Communication, Graduate Certificate in Environmental Education and Communication, Certificate in Environmental Practice in partnership with Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada

For students who want to upgrade their education while balancing work, family and school, Royal Roads University offers a combination of internet-based courses that can be completed at home and short residency programs on campus. Since most students have some combination of work experience and post-secondary education, a flexible assessment determines­ how much equivalency will be granted.

Professional and applied programs are the focus at Royal Roads, and the teaching model is based on learning outcomes, which are defined for each course. Students become part of a cohort and stay together as a group throughout the program. The School of Environment and Sustainability offers programs that foster project management and other professional skills. Professors at Royal Roads specialize in applied consultancy research, but areas of interest range from sustainable communities to air quality. Science students must complete a research project from a consultancy perspective.

A partnership between Royal Roads and the Environmental Careers Organization of Canada has resulted in The Canadian Centre for Environmental Education (CCEE). Prerequisites for the CCEE, which offers a Certificate in Environmental Practice, include an undergraduate degree and five years of work experience.

The campus sits at the southern end of Vancouver Island, within the 230-hectare Hatley Park, a National Historic site that features gardens, walkways and an intact Edwardian castle. Stands of old-growth Douglas fir adorn the property, which looks south over Esquimalt Lagoon, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains.

Since 1996, Royal Roads has been working on sustainable campus initiatives and is currently evaluating how to proceed on future environmental projects. The VP Academic takes the lead on campus sustainability, and two students work part-time on the issue. Previous environmental co-ordinators worked on waste audits and a community bicycle program. On-campus staff make use of a community garden.

St. Francis Xavier University
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
www.stfx.ca/academic/aquatic_resources/isar.htm
Joint between Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science: BSc, BA, BBA (Interdisciplinary Studies­ in Aquatic Resources - ISAR), Work term is required, Certificate in Interdisciplinary Studies in Aquatic Resources through Continuing­ and Distance Ed

To fully explore the many dimensions of water, all ISAR students take a dual major. The subject of the second major determines the degree program. Students working toward a BA can take ISAR with either Economics or Public Policy and Social Research. Those studying Biology, Earth Sciences, or Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science will receive a BSc. All BBA students must take Business Administration along with ISAR.

In first year, ISAR students visit local lakes, rivers and the marine coast to learn practical field research techniques­. Throughout their studies, students visit local fish hatcheries, wastewater facilities and attend town hall meetings to experience the scientific­, social and political aspects of water. The week-long Watershed Camp is an intensive way to develop skills ranging from policy analysis to sampling. A mandatory work term during the summer between third and fourth year provides practical experience­ in private industry, government or academic environments.

Located in the town of Antigonish in rural Nova Scotia, St. Francis Xavier (STFX) is within walking distance of the Antigonish Landing walking trail that offers views of Antigonish Harbour and local wildlife such as bald eagles, beavers and marmots.

A variety of interconnected clubs keep environmental projects moving at STFX. The Environment and Sustainability Committee is a multistakeholder group that works on greening school policies, while the Green Council is an active student awareness organization that runs events like the popular Dump and Run garage sale. The student union’s environmental officer promotes the use of bamboo take-away containers in the cafeteria, and runs a residence recycling competition with the floor prize of a brand new common room. To reduce waste right from the first week of school, this year’s Frosh kits contained a reusable spork and frisbee to be used as a plate at the annual barbeque. Long-term plans include a community garden that will support butterfly populations and provide vegetables for the food hall.

St. Mary’s University
Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.smu.ca/academic/science/envstud/information.html
Faculty of Science: BSc (Environmental Studies­), Co-op available, Average new student enrolment: 24

Students interested in studying urban environments or marine life will fit in particularly well at Saint Mary’s University (SMU). For instance, the Green Roof Testing and Plant Ecology project, which uses native plants in cutting-edge green roof technology, is one of a number of faculty projects that provide student employment. SMU is also the operational centre of the Coastal Community-University Research Alliance, a project that explores coastal and ocean management with local community members. Many research opportunities exist through university and community partnership groups such as the Atlantic Centre of Canada’s Ocean Management Research Network and the Community-Based Environmental Monitoring Network. In addition, a new Research Chair in Green Chemistry will work on designing new biodegradable liquids for environmentally friendly use. The program has a strong science component, but also teaches humanities, social sciences and business courses to ensure a broad education.

Though close to downtown, SMU is situated in a residential area of Halifax, which features native Acadian forest species that support a large bird population. An active project on campus uses box nests to study the mating and parenting habits of European starlings.

Environmental initiatives are expanding at SMU thanks to the St. Mary’s University Environmental Society (SMUES). This student-run organization, which welcomes members from all faculties and disciplines, recently launched the Green Campus Initiative, a multistakeholder group working towards sustainability at SMU. Current projects include improving recycling and composting compliance on campus and reducing paper consumption and cigarette butt litter. Film screenings of The End of Suburbia and An Inconvenient Truth along with discussion seminars featuring speakers such as Mike Nickerson, author of Life, Money and Illusion, are just some of SMUES’ educational projects. The society also works with off-campus groups such as the Ecology Action Centre and Dalhousie University’s Environmental Society on projects such as the “U-Pass” bus pass and Dump and Run, a community-wide garage sale that diverted an estimated 9000 kg of household items from landfills and raised over $14,000 for charity last year.

Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC
www.sfu.ca/geography
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Department of Geography: BA Geography (Environment and Resources), Certificate in Urban Studies
www.rem.sfu.ca
School of Resource and Environmental Management: MRM (Resource and Environmental­ Management), MRM (Planning­), Co-op available
Centre for Sustainable Community Development­ (CSCD): Undergraduate Certificate­ or Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Sustainable Community Development, Certificate­ for Community Economic Development­ Professionals

At Simon Fraser University (SFU), students in the Environmental Resources stream of the BA program study sustainable development as they explore relations between humans and the natural world. The Centre for Sustainable Community Development offers certificate programs that hinge on partnerships and project-oriented research with community members. Research topics range from food security to northern environmental groups. For aspiring teachers, SFU’s Faculty of Education offers Master’s and post-baccalaureate programs in environmental education.

Woodlands, gardens and walking trails surround SFU’s Burnaby campus. Perched on top of a mountain, the university overlooks the Burrard Inlet, Lower Mainland and mountainscapes. Wildlife is abundant, and bears have been known to frequent the campus, providing an opportunity for stu­dents and faculty to explore the relationship between development and nature.

From the Bike Tool Collective to SFU Net Impact, there are many ways to be involved in environmental initiatives on campus. Sustainable SFU is a student, staff and alumni organization with the long-term goal of opening a sustainability office. Its current campaign promotes the use of fresh, local food. Last year’s Iron-Chef-style Local Food cook-off between the main food suppliers on campus was a delicious­ hit, and workshops taught students how to create an edible garden in a container. A popular community vegetable garden has almost doubled in size in the past three years.

This fall, a week-long event dubbed SFU Sustainability Festival 2007 will infuse playfulness and a positive attitude into awareness about sustainability issues. Tactics include an eco-fashion show, a marketplace for socially and environmentally conscious businesses as well as a “freecycle” table and learning­ exchange section.

Trent University
Peterborough, Ontario
www.trentu.ca/ers
Faculty of Arts and Science: BA (Environmental and Resource Studies), BSc (Environmental and Resource Science), Community Research Placements available, Internships available, MA (Environmental Politics) Canadian Studies and Native Studies, MSc (Watershed Ecosystems­ Graduate Program), Diploma in Indigenous Environmental Studies

Within the BA and BSc programs, students can generalize or specialize in areas such as Indigenous Environmental Studies or Environmental Toxicology. Other emphases offered co-operatively with other departments include Food and Agriculture, Northern and Polar Studies, and Globalization. A joint degree with Sir Sandford Fleming College in Ecological Restoration will be offered starting in 2008. The MA program emphasizes environmental policy, community action and environmental heritage, while MSc students study topics such as conservation biology, watershed management, and environmental remediation.

A combination of skills and theory forms the foundation for the applied Community Research Placement, where students earn credit by completing a work term with a community organization. In the past, students have designed environmental curricula for schools and a sewage treatment wetland for a fish hatchery. In Greening the University class, students research on-campus environmental issues, such as buffer zones or a treatment wetland to prevent parking lot runoff.

Trent is located in Peterborough, Ontario among the stunning lakes and forests of the Kawarthas. The campus spans 566 hectares and is bisected by the Ontonabee River. An ecological research station is located nearby on Pigeon Lake and a community research centre is situated on Haliburton’s Kushog Lake.

Students involved with Sustainable Trent keep busy with their anti-idling campaign, promotion of reusable mugs, and a push to conserve water in the athletics complex. This year they will host their second annual Provincial Sustainable Campus Conference and plan to add an environmental pledge to the graduation ceremony. Their successful composting project has been expanded into dining halls; residences may be next. All the compost is used on the campus flower and vegetable gardens, including an experimental rooftop garden where researchers grow grasses and vegetables. And finally, The Seasoned Spoon is a student-run organic café on campus that offers healthy meals.

Trinity Western University
Langley, British Columbia
www.twu.ca/academics/interdisciplinary/environment
Faculty of Humanities and Social Science & Faculty of Natural and Applied Science: BA, BSc (Environmental Studies), Co-op available

At Trinity Western University (TWU), science students choose one of Natural Systems and Resources Emphasis, Biochemical Emphasis or Physical and Analytical Emphasis, while students in the BA program take an Environmental Management and Planning Emphasis. Both programs promote practical, hands-on experience with intensive field courses available in Maui, Hawaii and Salt Spring Island. At the Crow’s Nest Ecological Research Area on Salt Spring Island, students work in ancient Garry oak meadows. Field courses are also available through the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies.

TWU has strong ties to A Rocha Canada, a Christian conservation organization. The A Rocha Canada Little Campbell River Field Study Centre in Surrey, BC provides opportunities for student research, and the A Rocha organic farm accepts student volunteers.

On campus, the Ecosystem Study Area is a 24-hectare natural space used for field trips and research projects. It encompasses the Salmon River, a key salmon habitat. The Salmon in the Valley education project brings together TWU students and fourth and fifth grade classes to study the lifecycle of these important fish.

Langley has a population of about 100,000 and is near freshwater, mountain, saltwater and island habitats, as well as urban and agricultural areas. The campus, which is home to a large population of endangered Oregon “forestsnails,” contains a large pond, forest, meadows and a native plant nursery.

Students plan to formalize their link with A Rocha by converting the Trinity Environmental Advocates group into an official A Rocha chapter. At TWU, an Earth Week celebration put on by the environmental and social justice clubs engages the entire campus in raising environmental awareness. This year, expert speakers discussed climate change and all participants enjoyed the local food served at a barbeque. Students are also working on recycling and composting initiatives, and have adopted a highway, Glover Road, which passes in front of the school.

Université de Moncton
Moncton, New Brunswick
www.umoncton.ca/mee
Faculté des études supérieures et de la recherche­: MEE (Maîtrise en Études de l’Environnement­), Training course required, Average class size: 9

A francophone school, the Université de Moncton offers a Master’s of Environmental Studies to students from various backgrounds. Research opportunities exist in areas ranging from erosion and flooding on the Atlantic coast to community engagement in response to climate change. Faculty members also focus on community resources management, environmental education, ethics and law, engineering and science.

To gain practical experience, students are required to complete an internship with a community partner. These mini-co-op placements require a couple of days of work per week, and focus on the perspectives of stakeholders­ who are often left out of planning and decision-making conversations. Past placements have explored organic compost training with local farmers, the social and economic sustainability issues involved in forestry, and local household.

The campus has just over one hectare of parkland, which was created in partnership with the City of Moncton­ as part of the millennium parks program. There is a community vegetable garden available for the entire campus community, but especially for apartment-dwelling staff, faculty and students who have limited ability to grow their own food.

The garden and other events are courtesy of Symbiose, a student group whose name reflects a fusion of former environmental and social justice organizations on campus. Symbiose shows films to raise awareness and stimulate discussion, but its biggest event is a biannual used book sale. Symbiose puts 15 per cent of the money raised back into its programming and donates the rest to charity.

La Grande Couvert is the name of a picnic and barbeque that Symbiose holds during the first week of school. Held right beside the community garden, the picnic offers campus-grown food to new students who network and plan for the upcoming year. This summer the group completed research on the Sierra Youth Coalition’s Sustainable­ Campus Project. It has published reports on energy, food and waste, and is working on recommendations­ for the school’s administration.

Université de Montréal
Montreal, Quebec
www.geog.umontreal.ca
Faculty of Arts and Science, Department of Geography: BSc, MSc (Environmental Geography), Internship optional, DESS (Diploma in Applied Environmental Geography)

Environmental Geography students at the Université de Montréal (UdeM), must take two field courses. Depending on the class theme, trips have visited Gaspé, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Saguenay and downtown Montreal. Every two years there is an optional two-month field course in Brazil. To gain professional experience, students can work with professors as research assistants. Due to popular demand, UdeM established a structured program called PRO to help undergraduates prepare for a career. PRO brings students together with industry professionals through conferences, training workshops and meetings. The department embraces a range of research interests, and previous graduate student projects include biodiversity and local development in Chile, sustainable development and participatory democracy, and the impact of climate change on Quebec farmers.

UdeM is located on the northern slope of Parc du Mont-Royal, near walking trails with a panoramic view of one of Canada’s finest cities. Close to campus is the cosmopolitan Côtes-des-Neiges district, with restaurants, cafés and shops. Public transit makes downtown Montreal easily accessible.

Environmental activities are organized­ in large part by the cleverly named group UniVertCité, the environmental­ committee of the UdeM student union, FAÉCUM. UniVertCité accepts volunteers from all disciplines who team up to raise awareness of issues such as water and energy conservation, and alternative transportation. They promote waste reduction by selling reusable beer glasses, coffee mugs and shopping bags; they loan dishes and otherwise support students who want to run green events on campus. The Paniers Bio (eco-baskets) program regularly provides fresh, organic produce from a local farmer, and during the annual Environment Week, the university community comes together to learn about sustainability.

Campus Durable is actively working to complete the Sierra Youth Coalition’s Campus Sustainability Assessment Framework. It partners with faculty to promote the use of coursework and research to activate the project, and helps green the campus. The school recycles paper, batteries, glass, metal and print cartridges, and it has experimented with indoor composting.

Université de Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke, Quebec
www.usherbrooke.ca/environnement
Centre Universitaire de formation en environnement­: MEnv (Maîtrise en environnement­), Internship available, Diplôme de gestion de l’environnement (part-time professional­­ diploma), Microprogramme de vérification environnementale (MVE) is a part-time professional diploma for environmental site auditors

The Master’s in Environment program at Sherbrooke, a Francophone school, is coursework driven and based on a broad definition of environment. Recent projects include greenhouse gas emissions in India, near-urban agriculture, communication methods of environmental organizations, and environmental certification in the hotel trade. Students may choose to take an international option and complete courses in Belgium, France, Chile or Costa Rica. As well, an internship option helps students earn professional experience that complements their area of interest.

Two other options are available for students working in the professional world. The Diploma is similar to the MEnv program, but less intensive, and the Microprogramme complies with the training criteria for Site Auditors under the Quebec Environmental Verification Association.

Densely treed, the Sherbrooke campus is close to Mt. Bellevue, which offers walking trails and skiing. There are various environmental activities on campus. The department publishes L’Uni-VERT cité, a newsletter that keeps students and staff up to date on events and news. As well, the Association de la maîtrise en environnement de l’Université de Sherbrooke (AMEUS) is the environmental studies graduate association, which has various committees working on sustainability initiatives. For the last 20 years they have held a one-day environmental conference that attracts some 200 people from within and beyond the university.

Since 2005, a Sustainable Development Committee has been working on environmental policies on campus. This year it is close to adopting an action plan. On the student side, Campus Durable is working on the Sierra Youth Coalition’s Campus Sustainability Assessment Framework.

Within the Engineering Faculty, the group Génie-Vert undertakes projects such as the creation of a windmill and restoration of a polluted lake to raise awareness about available technologies. FEUS, the undergraduate student union, holds car-free days, and Univert is a campus group that promotes reusable mugs and shopping bags, fair-trade coffee and paper conservation. Through its website, Univert provides tips for reducing your ecological footprint.

University of Alberta
Edmonton and Camrose, Alberta
www.afhe.ualberta.ca
Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry & Home Economics: BSc (Environmental and Conservation­ Sciences), BA/BSc Combined (Native Studies and Environmental and Conservation Sciences)
www.csj.ualberta.ca
Faculty Saint-Jean: BScEnv Bilingue (En Sciences de l’environnement et de la conservation­)
www.augustana.ca
Augustana Faculty: BA (Environmental Studies – General or Outdoor Education Stream), BSc (Environmental Science), Internship available

With three campuses offering environmental programs, the University of Alberta (UofA) has lots of options. In the combined BA/BSc, students earn two degrees in five years with a specialization in Human Dimensions of Environmental Management. A BSc can be obtained through streams ranging from Land Reclamation to Conservation Biology, and is also offered in French at the Faculty Saint-Jean. A three-week intensive summer field course preps students for research and the chance to work as field assistants. Off-campus research facilities exist for forestry, agriculture and biofuels, and faculty projects range from protecting the boreal forest to contamination of watersheds by cattle feed lots.

Situated in Edmonton’s river valley, UofA is part of North America’s largest urban park. Under the Student Union, the Environmental Co-ordination Office of Students leads a green residence­ program, bike library and even an educational project to protect peregrine falcons on campus.

Five kilometres away, at the Francophone­ Campus Saint Jean, Campus Vert is a multistakeholder working group. Its community garden is so popular it has a waiting list. An annual Green Week sparks discussion with game shows and movies. Reusable mug and canvas bag campaigns reduce waste, and only biodegradable plates and bowls are used in the cafeteria. The 100 students who live on campus recycle and compost, and the green-minded are welcome to meet in the campus eco-house.

An hour away in Camrose, the Augustana program combines liberal arts with science curricula, and supports research ranging from beaver management to religion and the environment. There are regular field trips to Costa Rica and an Arctic canoeing expedition. Students lead the environmental push on campus and have recently launched a Green Campus Advisory Committee with staff and faculty.

University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
www.ubc.ca
Department of Geography: BA (Human Geography­, Environmental Studies) Co-op available.
Faculty of Science: BSc (Environmental Sciences)
Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability: MA, MSc, Certificate in Watershed­ Management
School of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene: MSc, Co-op option

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers a range of environmentally focused programs in several faculties, ranging from sustainable forestry to environmental design. There is an emphasis on applied research and local links. For example, in a recent community garden course, students completed projects for local non-profit groups. A popular initiative, Sustainability by Design, is a regional planning exercise that encourages interdisciplinary approaches to deal with environmental sustainability in a growing region. Overall, faculty interests range from health and the environment to natural resources and armed conflict.

Situated within Vancouver’s Pacific Spirit Park, UBC overlooks the Strait of Georgia. Massive Douglas firs canopy the campus entrance, and within minutes, students can be hiking through rainforest on their way to the beach. The campus’ inner circle is pedestrian only, where students have access to several green areas including a large native plant garden and Japanese Nitobe Garden.

The on-campus UBC Farm is a student-driven initiative that hosts the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, and stocks a seasonal market as well as the campus co-op food store, Sprouts. UBC also has the first closed-vessel composter at a Canadian university.

Environmental initiatives are widespread at UBC. The Sustainability Office works on administrative and policy initiatives, including Residence Sustainability Co-ordinators, the Climate Action Partnership and SEEDS program where students can get credit for undertaking sustainability-related research projects. Sustainability ambassadors make it their mission to raise awareness on campus.

The Alma Mater Society (AMS) – the student union – helped secure a universal bus pass for all students. It also sells organic, fair-trade coffee and offers discounts to students who use travel mugs. The Student Environment Centre, an AMS Resource Group, helps organize Buy Nothing Day, UBC’s Sustainability Conference, Stuff Swaps and many other events. It also funds student initiatives such as Responsible Consumption Week.

University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
www.ucalgary.ca/evds/programs/evds/index.html
Faculty of Environmental Design: MArch (Architecture), MEDes (Environmental Design in Environmental Science), Preceptorships and practicums can be arranged, Post-Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development

The diverse undergraduate and professional backgrounds of students enrolled in the University of Calgary’s (UofC) Faculty of Environmental Design result in a highly interdisciplinary program. For example, in the MArch program, students can focus on areas as varied as architecture and the contemporary city, lighting and daylighting, and socially responsible design. Within the MED program, students choose to concentrate on one of Environmental Science (with a focus on land-use management); Industrial Design (which explores the disposable lifestyle and lifecycle analysis of products); Planning (which integrates social and community planning); Urban Design (with an emphasis on public space); or an individualized course in Environmental Design.

In the mandatory course Advanced Environmental Design Practice, students work for a design firm or other business to learn how industry works firsthand. Partnerships in Barcelona mean students can complete this option abroad. Other professional experience can be obtained through a practicum, during which students earn credit for working, or for a preceptorship (a work placement with a more academic focus). For graduates to obtain the Real Estate Development Certificate, they must consider the land surrounding existing buildings in their design ideas.

The UofC campus maintains large natural spaces that support deer, hares, peregrine falcons, gophers and more. Students in the Eco-Club lead the school’s environmental projects. The club has rated all campus food services in terms of waste production, and put green issues on the agenda at a recent student union election. The club collects e-waste for recycling, runs vermicomposting workshops and has been known to reward random acts of good environmental behaviour by handing out coupons for organic coffee. Last year, the Enviropolluza festival included a fair-trade food-tasting, a gallery for sustainable artists, booths for environmentally conscious businesses and environmental speakers. This upcoming Valentine’s Day, the club will explore options for greening your love life.

University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario
www.envsci.uoguelph.ca
Faculty of Environmental Sciences: BSc(Env) (Environmental Geography), Co-op available
www.uoguelph.ca/geography
College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, Department of Geography: BA (Environmental­ Studies Minor), MA, MSc
www.oac.uoguelph.ca
Ontario Agricultural College: BBRM (Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management), BSc(Agr) (Organic Agriculture)
www.alfredc.uoguelph.ca
Campus d’Alfred: BSc(Agr) (Agriculture Biologique), Certificates in Environmental Citizenship­, Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Landscapes

The University of Guelph has a BSc(Env) program that spans four colleges, thereby integrating the natural, physical and social sciences in streams that range from Natural Resource Management to Environmental Economics and Policy. Field courses take students as far as Iceland or as close as the Niagara Escarpment.

The new Guelph Institute for the Environment links the school with the community, helping to promote dialogue and develop policy. This connection intensifies during a third-year internship course and a fourth-year project in which classes partner with community members to solve a local problem. Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College now offers a BSc(Agr) in Organic Agriculture, as well as an organic specialization for Francophones at Campus d’Alfred.

Within walking distance of downtown, the campus contains an arboretum that spans 165 hectares of educational gardens. The Arboretum Gene Bank preserves the genetic diversity of Ontario’s rare woody plants and produces seed for restoration work.

Students who want to cook meals together, compost and embrace efficient lighting can live in the eco-house residence. In the other buildings, enviro reps co-ordinate green activities and share information. Across campus, the student-led Energy Retrofit campaign has improved the efficiency of lighting, heating and water-use.

The campus sustainability office has a full-time co-ordinator and several part-time staff who work on initiatives such as recycling, composting, the Enviro Reps program and other initiatives.

Part of the ES department, the Environmental Sciences Student Executive invites the public to its annual Environmental Science Symposium, and Guelph Students for Environmental Change offer free fair-trade coffee to those who use reusable mugs on Muggy Mondays. They proudly abolished­ styrofoam packaging from the cafeteria.

University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George, British Columbia
www.unbc.ca/esm
College of Ecosystem Science and Management: BA (Environmental Studies), Internship required in fourth year, BSc (Natural Resources Management), Co-op available
www.unbc.ca/planning
School of Environmental Planning: BPI (Environmental­ Planning in Northern and Rural Community Planning, First Nations Planning­ and Natural Resources Planning)
www.unbc.ca/nres
Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute: MA (Environmental Studies), MSc (Environmental Science, Recreation Resource Management), MNRES (Master’s of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies)
First Nations Studies: Certificate in Traditional Environmental Knowledge

At the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), BA students gain practical skills in their fourth year through a mandatory internship. Strong ties to the community of Prince George and adjacent First Nations groups provide opportunities for research projects on community issues and improving campus sustainability. The John Prince Research Forest encompasses 13,032 hectares of Crown land, and is the only research forest in North America jointly managed by both a university and a First Nation. It promotes interdisciplinary research, and provides education and employment for both the Tl’azt’en First Nation and members of the school. The Northern Sustainable Landscaping Initiative explores how to use native plants and reduced water-use systems for aesthetically pleasing landscaping. Once this project is complete, other northern communities will be invited to adopt the plans.

UNBC is located on top of Cranbrook Hill in a sea of coniferous and deciduous trees overlooking Prince George. Close to campus there is a demonstration forest called Forests For the World, which links to 40 hectares of hiking and biking trails. A lake that plays host to picnics and social events is a 10-minute walk from campus, and wildlife near campus include moose, cougars, coyotes, fox, deer and bears.

The school’s Greening the Campus Initiative will kick off with an environmental audit that will take into account the school’s northern climate. UNBC’s campus composting project, BC’s largest, supports an organic garden, and the Recycling Action Committee collects items from the residences every week. An active “reciprocity shelf” acts as a “freecycle” spot for faculty, staff and students, and students also organize weekly local, organic markets.

University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario
www.environment.uottawa.ca
Faculty of Arts: BA (Environmental Studies (ES), ES and Geography, ES Specialization), Co-op available

At the University of Ottawa (UO), ES students take courses in the arts, sciences and social sciences in both English and French. Over the four-year program, students must also complete 50 hours of community service with a group that is engaged in issues that match their course of study. Co-op placements are also available with the federal government and national organizations.

Undergraduates can participate in faculty research projects on topics such as drought migration, environmental refugees, and environmental and human health. For students in the ES and Geography stream, a variety of field research courses are available each year. These include a permanent field camp near Yukon’s Mount Logan; resource management and planning studies in Lake Ontario communities; ecological diversity studies in Gaspé, Quebec; and urban and social research in Montreal and New York City. A senior research seminar course prepares students for graduate school and trains students to write research papers for publication in academic journals.

Located in downtown Ottawa, UO is close to bicycle paths and skating on the Rideau Canal, within walking distance of Parliament Hill, and in cycling distance or a short bus ride to lakes, forests and trails in Gatineau Park.

A full-time Sustainability Co-ordinator­ works with administration and students to green the campus, and gives lectures that explain how to practically apply coursework. On campus, there is widespread recycling and motion-activated­ lighting. Café Alternative in the ES home building is fully organic and offers office space to a number of student organizations.

The Green Campus Association encompasses smaller working groups that target projects such as a summer community garden, a pilot compost program in residences, and a green campus zine that keeps students informed of environmental initiatives. The Styrophobics group works to replace takeaway styrofoam containers, and the campus pub now uses compostable cups. The week-long Alternative 101 welcomes new student activists with activities that include a campus eco-tour, vegan breakfasts and a T-shirt altering workshop.

University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
www.uregina.ca
First Nations University of Canada: BARES (Bachelor of Arts in Resource and Environmental Studies), Average first year class size: 24

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) is an independent college of the University Regina (UofR). Students learn in a small college environment, but can access all the resources of the larger university. The only environmental studies program at UofR is offered through FNUniv. After obtaining a Resource and Environmental Law Diploma from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, students can enrol in the BARES program. Hosted by FNUniv, students spend the next two and a half years focusing on Indigenous Studies, Human Justice, Environment and an Arts Core.

Indigenous knowledge is integrated into all programs at FNUniv. Elders work on campus in rotation to teach courses, support students, offer a link to culture and traditions, and consult on the school’s administrative decisions. An important community-based project is the Native Prairie Area. A restoration project, this area was planted in 2003 with native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Interpretive signs describe the traditional uses of native plants. Elders, faculty and students maintain the garden, which is used as an outdoor laboratory. Soon, the school will create a Medicine Wheel. With its pathways, stones and plants, this sacred symbol will embody indigenous philosophies of learning and living, and provide a quiet place for reflection.

Several other campus environmental projects are being developed. When built, a community vegetable garden will provide contents for new student welcome baskets. If successful, this program may expand to local high schools. The garden would also serve as a means to teach vermicomposting, seed harvesting and traditional planting ceremonies.

The low winter sun streams into FNUniv’s specially designed building, providing light and heat. In summer, the high sun is deflected, thereby keeping the offices from overheating. To complement this design, reduce energy and maximize natural light, students are planning a “lights-off” awareness campaign, and are also working to improve recycling on campus. And over at the UofR, a green roof with passive solar construction will be the first of its kind in Saskatchewan when completed in 2008.

University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
www.utoronto.ca
St. George Campus, Centre for the Environment­: BA (Environment and Society, Environmental Policy and Practice), BSc (Environment­ and Science), MES (Environmental­ Studies Collaborative Program)
www.utsc.utoronto.ca
UofT Scarborough Campus, Department of Social Sciences: BA (Society and Environment), Internships available, MEnvSc (Professional Master’s of Environmental Science Program)
www.utm.utoronto.ca
UofT Mississauga Campus: Department of Geography: BA (Environment and Human Society, Environmental Management), BSc (Environmental Science, Environmental Monitoring and Analysis), Internship course required

With three campuses, seven colleges and 14 faculties, the University of Toronto (UofT) offers a variety of environmental programs and initiatives. A sustainability board unites each campus’ sustainability office, and there are numerous active environmentally minded student groups.

Located in the heart of Toronto, the stately St. George campus is home to the Centre for the Environment, which offers BA and BSc degrees in environmental studies as well as collaborative programs with disciplines ranging from archaeology to pharmacy. The active Environmental Students’ Union runs Green Perspectives magazine and created the University of Toronto Environmental Resource Network (UTERN), a funding and networking body for student projects. UTERN supports groups as diverse as the The Hot Yam, a vegan food collective, and the Sustainable Energy Fair.

Just east of the city, the Scarborough campus resides in the heavily treed Highland Creek Ravine, a perfect location for research and teaching. Internships are available through the Ministry of the Environment or environmental consulting firms, and student groups include 2nd Nature, an action-oriented, awareness-raising club, and the Green Wizards, who promote composting and efficient lighting in residence.

To the west, the Mississauga campus sits on a 91-hectare parcel of land overlooking the Credit River. There are walking trails and areas are protected for research and naturalization. Within the multidisciplinary programs taught by faculty from a wide range of departments, the Research Opportunity Course offers for-credit research assistantships. And a senior year internship course helps students gain professional experience. The campus Environmental Affairs Office is known for its Green Team, which offers students opportunities to work on environmental projects such as anti-idling, bike repair and a community garden.

University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
web.uvic.ca/enweb/index.html
Faculty of Social Science, School of Environmental­ Studies: BA, BSc (Environmental­ Studies), Certificate or Diploma available in Restoration of Natural Systems, Graduate degrees can be arranged upon consultation with a professor, Co-op available, Program size: 196 students

At the University of Victoria (UVic), all environmental studies (ES) students take a double major. The first major can be one of Political Ecology, Ethnoecology or Ecological Restoration, and the second can be in any other subject. This requirement provides students with a depth of exposure in one area that complements the interdisciplinary education offered in ES. In addition, the POLIS project on ecological governance facilitates transdisciplinary research for students and faculty alike.

Students link their coursework to the real world through field trips. Ethno­ecology students visit a First Nations community to learn about traditional plant uses, while sustainable fisheries classes travel in fishing boats to meet working fishers. Ecological restoration classes plan and implement projects for local landowners, and a community-based service learning course could be a requirement in the near future.

Located on Vancouver Island, UVic overlooks the ocean. The campus has natural woodlands and streams, the mildest climate of any Canadian university, active field research sites, and a native Garry oak ecosystem. Large green spaces, mountains and parks are close by.

The University of Victoria Sustainability Project co-ordinates an array of thriving campaigns and events. A notable initiative is Common Energy, a network of students, faculty, staff, administrators and regional partners who are working to move the university “beyond climate neutral.” If accomplished, UVic’s net greenhouse gas emissions would be less than zero.

One group completes ecological restoration projects through regular work parties, while the Sustainable Paper Action Group campaigns for default double-sided printing and recycled­ paper-use across campus. The Food University Network tested local food in the cafeteria over the summer and will run a weekly organic, local market throughout the year.

During the first week of class, EarthFest celebrates slow, sustainable living, and later in the year, UVic’s annual “Sustainability Day – Ridiculous Name, Essential Event” will feature high-profile speakers and workshops.

University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
www.es.uwaterloo.ca
Faculty of Environmental Studies: BES (Environmental­ Studies), MA, MES (Environmental­ Studies, MAES (Applied Environmental­ Studies), Co-op available, Diploma in Environmental Assessment­, Diploma in Ecological Restoration and Rehabilitation

At the University of Waterloo (UW), ES students can focus on one of Environment and Resource Studies (ERS), Environment and Business, Geography, Geomatics, International Development, Planning or Knowledge Integration (see “Crossing the Line” on page 44). Students can select their major in first year and can elect the co-op option. In fourth year, students must complete a research project. Those studying ERS or Geography choose from a generous number of electives, which allows them to explore other disciplines. UW prides itself on being hands-on, offering field trips, labs and overseas experiences. Faculty interests range from heritage resources and applied ecology to urban design and wetlands. The Faculty of Environmental Studies is home to Alternatives Journal, which accepts submissions from students and faculty, and hosts volunteer and paid internships.

UW’s campus is a mix of natural and built spaces. Columbia Lake has trails to the Laurel Creek Conservation Area. It is home to herons, osprey and geese, and now hosts cranes, which stop by on their migratory route. Naturalized areas surrounding the ES building include the Dorney Garden, which replicates a Carolinian ecosystem and the Northern Garden, which is maturing into a boreal forest. Indoors, a living wall purifies the air naturally.

The student-led UW Sustainability Project is the environmental leader on campus, with several groups, such as the Solar Technology Education Project, working on initiatives including­ solar technology, green roofs, awareness and reusable mugs. Current campaigns include lobbying for a sustainability office and work on the Campus Sustainability Assessment Framework. The UW Farm Market is a student initiative that provides local produce and baked goods at a reduced cost thanks to subsidies from Food Services. In addition, Plant Operations uses pesticide-free weed removal, and several coffee shops, including the ES Coffee Shop, offer fair-trade brands. Another recent campus accomplishment is the universal bus pass.

University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario
www.uwo.ca/enviro
Faculty of Social Science, Department of Geography: BA, BSc, MA, MSc (Environmental­ Studies)
Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Science: BSc (Environmental Science)
MES (Environment and Sustainability), Work placement required

At the University of Western Ontario, geography students can earn a BSc or a BA in Environmental Studies. In these programs, a mandatory field camp takes those interested in wilderness ecology to areas such as the Madawaska Valley near Algonquin Park. Those interested in urban environments travel to Montreal or New York. Senior year research projects have ranged from childhood obesity to using tree rings and lake sediments to track climate change. The new MES program is premised on an interdisciplinary philosophy, and the school has plans for a Department or School of Environment and Sustainability, which, if developed, may house a sustainability office.

In 2004, the Western campus won a Communities in Bloom competition for its manicured grounds. Beautifully preserved heritage buildings blend into an old-growth beech and maple forest, the Beryl Ivey Garden, a Japanese Garden and the Jancey Memorial garden, which features perennials, herbs, roses and more. Millennium Park has unique pumpkin ash and cucumber trees.

EnviroWestern operates under the student council and is organized into project teams, which focus on areas such as recycling, plastic bag reduction and travel mug usage. Every year the group holds an open meeting to plan for the coming year, and new teams develop from new ideas. Several gardening teams work on a community garden and a campus reforestation initiative.

Environmental Awareness Week involves a wide range of activities in the student centre, including creation of a giant pyramid of disposable coffee cups, which is meant to encourage use of reusable containers. This year, Western­ will host the Sierra Youth Coalition’s national conference on campus sustainability.

An excellent relationship between student groups, and the hospitality and facilities departments led to a hospitality sustainability committee with student representation. This team organized coffee grounds composting, improved the visibility of recycling and created minimum quotas for the amount of local and organic food available in residence cafeterias.

University of Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
www.uwindsor.ca/envstudies
Inter-Faculty: BES (Environmental Studies)

The University of Windsor’s (UW) environmental program is so new that the first class of BES students just graduated this year. Within the program, students can choose between Resource Management or Environmental Values and Policy. Both offer a range of social science and science courses. Field courses are available in the Windsor area as well as in Northern Ontario, and in fourth year, students can complete a year-long independent research project. Faculty projects often involve student research through the Multi-purpose Environmental Modelling Facility, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, or the Centre for Studies in Social Justice.

UW is an urban campus, but Riverside Park, with its rejuvenated wildlife habitat and recreation space, is easily accessible. Located at the border between Canada and the US, UW is a major partner in the Green Corridor project, an initiative to create two kilometres of green landscape that links one country to the other. The visual arts department offers a course on the Green Corridor in which students participate in the ongoing redesign of the Huron Church Road area near campus. Students are also active in the eco-house retrofit, a traditional home that the university donated to the Green Corridor project, which will soon boast a green roof, solar panels and a garden. The Student Centre may also develop a green roof and patio, and plans are in the works for a community garden and organic café.

The UW Campus Wide Environmental Coalition is a consortium of student environmental groups that pool resources to raise awareness and implement projects. The Campus Green Team aims to increase school pride by fostering campus stewardship along with the Environmental Studies Club. These groups run recycling drives and campus clean-ups, and host speakers and presentations. During September’s Environmental Action Day, local environmental groups, community leaders and socially conscious businesses visit campus to raise awareness, share information and foster discussion. Student initiatives sometimes attract local media attention, such as the funeral that students staged for the Kyoto Protocol at city hall and the anti-idling demonstration waged at Windsor’s­ busy border crossing.

University of Winnipeg
Winnipeg, Manitoba
envstudies.uwinnipeg.ca
Faculties of Arts and Science: BA, BSc (Environmental­ Studies), Applied Environmental Studies Degree: Combines BSc with Diploma in Environmental Protection Technology from Red River College, Average first-year class size: 50

The University of Winnipeg (UW) offers two degrees in environmental studies. Students in the BA program can choose between Issues in Sustainability and Urban Environments, while students taking a BSc can concentrate on one of Forest Ecology, Forest Policy and Management, Chemistry or Global Environmental Systems. Other options include completing a self-directed degree or combined major with another program. Faculty have diverse research interests, from urban sprawl and community-based monitoring to environmental toxicology and forest ecosystem health. The school houses four environmental institutes where students can work as research assistants. Research areas include forestry, climate studies, human health and urban studies.

Located in an urban setting, UW is enhancing its greenspace by using native flora to landscape Portage Commons, the school’s front lawn. Spence Street, which bisects the campus, caters to pedestrians and bicycles by being closed to automobiles. The new science complex will contain a living wall, community garden and low-impact landscaping. And if geothermal capacity allows, the campus will soon have a new LEED-standard building.

A student-initiated organization called Sustainable University Now, Sustainable Earth Together (SUNSET), facilitates research placements with local non-profit agencies working on environmental and social justice issues. Through the Experiential Learning Program, local groups submit project proposals for work they do not have the capacity to complete on their own. SUNSET organizes students who undertake the project for credit, as part of an existing course, or an independent study. Projects range from literature reviews to the creation of maps.

Ecological Males and Females In Action (EcoMAFIA) is an active student group with a mandate to educate. It raises awareness in creative ways, such as guerrilla theatre on Buy Nothing Day, and was instrumental in establishing UW’s official Campus Sustainability Office.

In the summer, the Eco-Kids day-camp program combines aboriginal teachings with culture and science to explore the environment.

Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario
info.wlu.ca/~wwwgeog
Faculty of Arts, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies: BA (Environmental Studies), BSc (Geography with Environmental Science Option), MES, MA/MES (Jointly with the University of Waterloo)

Wilfrid Laurier University just revamped its Environmental Studies curriculum. Both ES and the Geography options now combine social science with natural science, and offer a large selection of electives to round out the program. Faculty participate in other departments, such as political science, anthropology, and business and economics, which gives the department an interdisciplinary atmosphere.

A third-year Greening the Campus course engages students in assessing the environmental climate on campus, and proposing improvements to infrastructure­ and operations. Field study courses are available in Ontario, Yukon and overseas.

Through the brand new Community Services Learning Program, students work on environmental issues with local groups. Possible projects include working on river management and community clean-ups. These activities break down walls between the school and local citizens.

Laurier is located in Waterloo, Ontario, near the shops and restaurants of the city’s lively uptown core. It is also close to parks and the University of Waterloo. The campus is compact, easy to navigate on foot and has excellent public transit. Local conservation areas and St. Jacob’s Country, with its famous Mennonite market, are close by.

Environmental initiatives are on the rise at Laurier. Recently, the Aesthetics and Environment Committee, comprising students, faculty and staff, has renewed itself and is planning greening initiatives such as tree planting and using environmentally friendly construction materials. The Environment Committee, better known as the Eco Hawks, is a student group that promotes awareness on campus with events including last year’s Residence Recycling Challenge, travel mug campaign and Buy Nothing Day. They also oversee the Green Fee, a student levy that goes into a Greening the Campus fund. The Eco Hawks also run a spring EcoFair, which brings together local people and students. All registered students receive a universal bus pass. Among other activities, World Water Day involves having students do a blind test of bottled, tap and filtered water. Not surprisingly, the bottled water seldom wins. LSPIRG is involved with the ethical treatment of animals.

York University
Toronto, Ontario
www.yorku.ca/fes
Keele Campus, Faculty of Environmental Studies­: BES (Environmental Studies), MES (Environmental Studies), Business and the Environment Graduate Diploma, Post-Graduate­ Certificate in Community Arts Practice
www.glendon.yorku.ca/ehs
Glendon College: BA (Environment and Health Studies)

York University offers environmental studies programs at both of its Toronto campuses. At the Keele Campus, BES students choose from Environment and Culture (with a focus on arts, technology and education); Environmental Politics (with a focus on development, globalization and justice); Environmental Management (with a focus on policy, resources and conservation) or Urban and Regional Environments (with a focus on analysis, planning and design). The graduate program is diverse, offering concentrations such as Women, Agriculture and Environment in Africa; and Computerization, Work and Environment.

Though it’s some distance from downtown, the large Keele campus in Toronto’s north end is readily accessable by public transit. It has a pedestrian core featuring native perennials, and an integrated pest management program that avoids pesticide use.

A variety of environmental groups are active at York. Students created the Maloca Garden, which fosters organic farming and composting as well as multicultural and intergenerational learning and sharing. YORKW!SE is an awareness campaign that promotes energy and water conservation, healthy eating and local walking trails. Students can join the Environmental Outreach Team and give presentations to local high schools about energy, transportation, consumption, food, nature or economics. And a student-run café, Counter Culture, offers vegan, local and organic food when possible. Furthermore, the Graduate Environmental Studies Students’ Association runs Undercurrents­, a student journal of environmental thought.

Glendon College, York’s bilingual, liberal arts faculty, offers courses, including the Environment and Health program, in both French and English. Located on a former estate, the elegant campus includes a portion of the Don River, and unique tree species such as dawn redwood and ginko. The Glendon College Conservation Advisory Com­mit­tee is a multistakeholder group that discusses environmental issues, and Roots and Shoots Glendon has started a push to reduce cafeteria waste.