Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Goal 15 focuses on the importance of nature for survival and recognizes the increased stress that has been put on it from human activity. Nature provides us with oxygen, regulates weather, pollinates crops, produces food sources and more. Protecting land ecosystems and biodiversity is desperately needed to ensure a sustainable future.
Taking Action
Initiatives at Brock University
Tree Planting Projecting – Brock’s Hardwood Forest
The Tree Planting Project was carried out in 2011 that involved TD employees, Land Care Niagara, and Brock student volunteers. The planting involved 250 native trees that now match the surrounding forest land.
Community Gardens
The Community Gardens at Brock are located near the Zone 2 Parking Lot and just steps away from Theal House, the home of the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre. There are over 24 plots of plants and food growing in the gardens which were planted by faculty, staff and students in 2011.
Animal and Justice Research Group
Brock University offers a wide range of courses focused on animal and social justice. The University also conducts high level research related to animal and social justice. Click here to learn more about the Animal and Justice Research Group.
Plant and Seed Swap-and-Share
Brock has hosted two seed and plant exchanges, hosted by the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies. The event welcomes avid gardeners and curious newbies alike by offering something for everyone — seeds, cuttings, bulbs, extra gardening supplies and both indoor and outdoor plants.
Community Garden Renovations
Brock’s Community Garden has been in place since 2011 and has grown exponentially since developed. Facilities Management is now working to revamp the area and enhance growing capabilities. Plans to the garden extended outward into the community that involved a class of Brock Kinesiology students to help with the clean-up of the garden. The renovated gardens will still be located near the Zone 2 Parking Lot, just steps away from Theal House.
UNESCO Chair
Liette Vasseur, professor at Brock University and UNESCO Chair, had her agenda for Community Sustainability: From Local to Global renewed for the next four years. She continues to encourage sustainability science in practice that works to transform research into practical society applications.
Initiatives in the Niagara Region
Niagara Parks
Niagara Parks mission is to improve environmental quality and sustainable development throughout Parks. Their commitment includes leadership based on principles of conservation, education, environment management, innovation, and preservation and restoration.
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority oversees conservation, recreation, and parks efforts. They offer several innovative events and volunteer opportunities to increase involvement in different projects they lead.
Individual Actions
Did you know that Brock University, located on the Niagara Escarpment, is one of few universities in Canada to be within a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve and that it is part of the Greenbelt which protects 1.8 million acres of land in Ontario? Or that as Covid-19 has preceded attention has fallen short of this goal?
Many actions exist to help restore nature:
- Engage in community cleanups or take it upon yourself to pick up a piece of litter a day.
- Avoid using pesticides, they are harmful to wildlife and can end up in our water systems.
- Eat seasonal food whenever possible; it tastes better, is cheaper, and environmentally friendly.
- Participate, support and fund when possible conservation projects.
- Read product ingredients to never buy products from threatened or endangered species.
- Reduce your paper use and go paperless whenever possible.
- Participate in gardening and grow your own food, or native plants in the area.
- Know native plants in the area and recognize invasive species.
- Take further initiative to unroot invasive species and make crafts, these plants are not compostable.
- Report invasive species in community spaces.
- Collect rainwater.
- Plant trees on your property when possible and promote the growth of them in communities.
- After hiking and fishing clean equipment.
- Do not move firewood.
- Hang feeders away from windows when possible or use décor to make windows noticeable.
- Create your own compost to enrich soil biodiversity.
- Research, participate, and spread awareness of life on land and their importance to allow for a more prosperous future.
- Connect with others through Ontario Plant Based Student Association (OPBSA).
- Connect yourself with nature by going on one of Niagara natural trails:
