91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ

Nature Positive University

Become a Nature Positive University

InÌý2022, 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ joined hundreds of higher education institutions around the world to , a commitment toÌýstartÌýa nature-positive journeyÌývia its teaching, research,Ìýoperations,ÌýandÌýsupply chain.ÌýAsÌýpart of thisÌýpledge,Ìý91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµÌýwillÌýestablishÌýa biodiversity baseline, decideÌýon targets,ÌýtakeÌýaction,Ìýand report annuallyÌýon progress.Ìý

In 2023, 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ launched its inaugural  Biodiversity Plan 2030, which marked a milestone in the University’s commitment to biodiversity.ÌýTheÌýOffice of Sustainability led the creation ofÌýtheÌýBiodiversity Plan in collaboration with faculty, staff, and students from 15 academic and administrative units.ÌýTogether, the stakeholders elaborated the vision that 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ willÌýmonitor, protect, and enhance biodiversity via its research, teaching, and operations, while raising awareness and engaging community members both on and beyond our campuses.Ìý

Biodiversity plays many functions, including the provision ofÌýnumerousÌýcontributions to people—or ecosystem services—such as food, recreation, flood control, air purification, climate regulation, and scientific and artistic inspiration. Yet, global biodiversity is declining, with more than 2,000 species at risk of extinction in Canada. The Biodiversity Plan is the first concerted effort to align biodiversity actions among students, staff, and faculty across the University to protect biodiversity and its contributions to people at 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ.ÌýÌý

ÌýRead 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ's Biodiversity Plan

ÌýLisez le Plan de biodiversité

Key Progress

91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµÌýhas taken concrete steps to enhance and protect biodiversity across its campuses and lands.Ìý

  • The 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ Biodiversity Atlas is a digital repository of biodiversity and environmental datasets and information about the University’s properties. The Atlas’sÌýinteractive map features species observation records, spacesÌýthat support biodiversity,ÌýandÌýtree canopy and urban heat distributionÌýdata.Ìý

  • 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ hasÌýbegunÌýtoÌýestablishÌýbiodiversity zones on campus with a goal toÌýmanage 30% of its greenspacesÌýto foster biodiversityÌýby 2030.Ìý

  • A yearly and BioblitzÌýhave beenÌýhosted on our campusesÌýsince 2023ÌýtoÌýengageÌýstudents, faculty, and staff in efforts to protect and improve biodiversityÌýat 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ.

Get Involved

Students, staff, and faculty members canÌýhelp inventoryÌýbiodiversityÌýatÌý91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµÌýby using Ìý, a crowdsourced species identification system. By documenting the plants, insects, birds, mammals, and other wildlife seen on campus, 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµians contribute valuable observational data that can inform biodiversity effortsÌýwhileÌýlearningÌýmore about the natural world that surrounds them.Ìý

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies a university as Nature Positive?

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

Where can I track 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™s progress towards its objectives?

YouÌýcanÌýtrack 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™s progress towards itsÌýbiodiversityÌýobjectivesÌýviaÌýtheÌýÌýandÌýby consulting 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™sÌýClimate &ÌýSustainability Annual Report.Ìý

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