Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Sustainability Action Fund announces winter 2023 recipients

The President's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (PACES) is excited to provide funding for eight new campus sustainability projects in winter 2023 through the Sustainability Action Fund (SAF). Launched in 2017, SAF supports projects and initiatives that advance sustainability at Waterloo by connecting to our academic mission, improving operational practices, and/or fostering a culture of sustainability through campus engagement.

Winter 2023 projects:

Students looking through binoculars

BioBlitz

This project will support a 24-hour BioBlitz event to conduct a biodiversity assessment on Waterloo's south campus. The event will include 9 guided hikes focusing on a variety of species, as well as opening ceremonies and booths from campus and community partners. This project is led by the Sustainability Office.

Student presenting a poster

Climate Students Conference 

This project will fund the inaugural Climate Students conference in April 2023, a student-focused conference to spark cross-disciplinary solutions and collaborations to tackle climate change. The conference will offer a ‘green’ knowledge-exchange hub through keynote speakers and oral and poster presentations. This project is led by Climate Students.

Black-eyed Susan flowers

Conrad Grebel Pollinator Garden

This project will support the planting of an 850 square foot garden at Conrad Grebel University College, consisting of plants native to Ontario’s tallgrass prairies. The garden will engage over 70 campus community members and will serve as a community-building feature. This project is led by Conrad Grebel employees.

Tree planting

Green Office Tree Planting

This project will fund the planting of a variety of 200 native trees/shrubs and 200 native perennials along Laurel Creek on main campus and North campus, engaging many employees from the Green Office program and other employee/student volunteers. This project is led by Grounds and the Sustainability Office.

Office members holding potted plants

Healthy and Green Office Plant Project

This project will offer a workshop for office participants to learn about potting and caring for plants in office and household settings. The project will improve indoor greenery in the Faculty of Engineering and serve as a pilot to demonstrate benefits and how similar events could be run by other teams. This project is led by employees in the Faculty of Engineering.

Office members talking in a circle on the grass

Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability

This project will support a series of experiential learning opportunities where students, staff, and faculty can engage in direct experience of land skills, nature, and engagement, including green woodworking, basket weaving, scything, nature weaving, herbal tea making, and nature walks. This project is led by a PhD student in the Faculty of Environment.

Eco containers

Supporting Eco Containers in Residence

This project will expand the eco-container program in residences by providing incoming students on a traditional meal plan with a reusable container. This project is led by Food Services.

Lumberjacks in a play

Theatre and Performance Sustainability Action Plan Workshops

This project will host workshops and guest speakers to develop an action plan for improving sustainability in the Theatre and Performance department. The project will aim to tackle waste generation and other unsustainable practices in the theatre industry while increasing awareness for students. This project is led by faculty in the Faculty of Arts.

Since 2017, SAF has distributed over $700,000 in funding to more than 50 projects across campus. To learn more about the funding criteria, application details, and upcoming funding rounds, please visit the Sustainability Action Fund webpage.

Explore recently funded projects below or check out all past SAF projects using the Sustainability Action Fund tag on our news feed →