SFM students roll up their sleeves to build a sustainable legacy
First-year students in Waterloo’s Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM) program—an innovative initiative offered by the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) in partnership with the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED)—came together to plant 100 native trees and shrubs on Waterloo’s north campus last week.
The annual micro-forest planting, hosted in partnership with Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR), connects students directly with the land and the responsibility to steward it. SWR defines a micro-forest as “a small area of land that is returned to a natural state through the planting of native trees and shrubs.” For SFM students, it represents both a practical sustainability initiative and a reminder of how financial decision-making must align with environmental and social responsibility.
The planting was opened by Elder Myeengun Henry, UWaterloo’s Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, who led a smudge ceremony and shared teachings about the relationship between people and the land. His presence underscored how Indigenous Ways of Knowing are essential to advancing reconciliation and highlighted how these teachings are woven into the ethos of the SFM program.
Designed to prepare graduates who can bridge accounting, finance and sustainability, the SFM program equips students to help lead Canada’s transition to a sustainable economy. Next year, the program will proudly celebrate its first graduating class.
Elder Myeengun Henry, UWaterloo’s Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, leads the community in a smudge ceremony.
SFM students gather for opening remarks at the tree-planting.
Elder Myeengun Henry, UWaterloo’s Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, shares remarks with the community.
Elder Myeengun Henry, UWaterloo’s Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, and Alexie Tcheuyap, Dean of Arts, participate in a smudge ceremony.
Elder Myeengun Henry, UWaterloo’s Indigenous Knowledge Keeper.
Alexie Tcheuyap, Dean of Arts, shares remarks with the crowd.
Blake Phillips, Director of the School of Accounting and Finance, addresses the crowd.
Michael Wood, Co-Director of the Sustainability and Financial Management program.
Professor Jennifer Lynes Murray, Faculty of Environment, pushes a wheelbarrow of mulch.
SAF alum Tim Jackson (BA '92).
Guests from RBC and KPMG were in attendance at the tree-planting.
Guests from KPMG plant a tree.
The event also welcomed faculty, staff, and VIP guests including Alexie Tcheuyap, Faculty of Arts dean; leaders from RBC, and community partners from across the region. Their presence emphasized the importance of partnerships and collective effort in building a sustainable future.
By planting trees every year, students are cultivating a living, climate-resilient forest that will enrich biodiversity, capture carbon, and serve as a teaching and research resource for years to come. SAF and SEED extend their gratitude to the students, staff, faculty and community leaders who participated, to Elder Henry for his guidance, and to RBC for their generous support. This shared commitment from our community helps make experiential opportunities like this possible and ensures that students can continue to learn, lead, and take meaningful action on sustainability.
Learn more about the Sustainability and Financial Management program and how it prepares students to become leaders in building a sustainable future.
