This exciting initiative importantly bridges the operating and academic constituents concerned with Sustainability at Brock. It will provide real benefits to the Brock University community by leveraging the resources, capacities, and talents of both internal units to address environmental sustainability issues and initiatives on campus.
The Brock University Project Charter is initially set to last five years. Among some of the more specific targets the two sides are working toward are:
- Conduct a needs assessment within the first year of operation, which identifies priorities, proposed activities and objectives to be achieved with the first five years
- Hold public events each year pertaining to knowledge mobilization and/or community engagement
- Engage graduate and undergraduate students in campus sustainability issues and initiatives through co-operative education, course projects, and independent research (i.e. MRP/thesis); initiate research projects by Faculty
- Explore and pursue mutually beneficial opportunities of shared interest such as grant proposals, community forums, etc.
- Promote Sustainability at Brock within the greater Brock University community and develop networks locally, nationally and internationally
Current Team Members
Current Master of Sustainability candidate (Fall 2021) under the supervision of Dr. Jessica Blythe.
Madison holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration from Brock University. Her research interests revolve around climate change adaptation and resilience in social-ecological systems.
Email: asmits@brocku.ca
Centre Administrator, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
Brock University Project Charter Staff Co-Leader
MEd, Brock University (Administration & Leadership)
BA, Wilfrid Laurier University (Political Science & Business Administration)
Amanda completed a Master of Education in the Administration and Leadership stream at Brock in 2017, where her research focused mainly on post-secondary sustainability policies in practice. Amanda now acts as project manager on multiple innovative community partnerships for the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC). She is interested in creating community connections through the ESRC and believes that partnerships, such as Brock University Project Charter, allow the ESRC to leverage resources and talent with key partners and stakeholders, to build community capacity through evidence-based decision making processes. Amanda was awarded with the Faculty of Social Sciences Staff Student Experience Award in Fall 2021 and was the 2019 recipient of FOSS’s Staff Award for Community Engagement.
Email: mquintana@brocku.ca
Director, Asset Management & Utilities
Brock University Project Charter Co-Leader
Bachelor’s in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering and a Masters degree (Technology Management), both from the Tecnologico de Monterrey Institute
Masters of Environment and Sustainability, Western University
Mary is also Certified Energy Manager, a Certified Measurement & Verification Professional by the Association of Energy Engineers and a LEED Green Associate. Mary’s professional experience includes research and development for biomedical technologies, mostly on early cancer detection systems. She has conducted strategic business consulting with focus on innovation and technology management for competitive advantage in small and medium enterprises. Since 2010, Mary has worked in facilities management in the university sector, where she has managed green building portfolios and worked on a variety of energy-related projects and initiatives (e.g., energy audits, project management). For the last decade, Mary has been actively involved in the different facets of carbon management and reduction, experience she is now incorporating into asset management and strategic planning.
Current Master of Sustainability candidate under the supervision of Dr. Marilyne Jollineau.
Kassie has a BSc. in Biological Sciences from Brock University. Her research will look at aquatic ecosystems and how they contribute to building sustainable communities.
Current Master of Sustainability student (Fall 2022) under the supervision of Dr. Todd Green.
Sanjida completed her Bachelor of Business administration (BBA) and Master of Business administration (MBA) from Department of Marketing, University of Dhaka. Her research interests include ecological awareness and behaviour, sustainable consumption and sustainable service management particularly in the area of Business and Marketing. Sanjida desires to contribute to solve real world resource management problems and to increase the sustainability of healthy ecosystems through her academic enhancement and research agenda.
Past Team Members
Current Masters of Environment and Sustainability candidate at Western University
Elenore graduated from the University of Toronto with a BSc (Hons.) in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. She is interested in strategic environmental planning and sustainability with regards to the operations aspect of an organization. Eleanor is excited about the opportunity to help complete the STARS program, and to promote sustainability initiatives and practices at Brock University.
Email: md18gp@brocku.ca
Master of Sustainability, Brock University
Meredith completed her BSc in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in biology from the University of Calgary. She worked as an Environmental Scientist at a consulting firm in Calgary, Alberta for five years before moving to St. Catharines. Meredith is excited about the opportunity to increase communications of sustainability initiatives at Brock University and help create measurable, achievable sustainability goals for the Brock campus through the Brock University Project Charter.
Email: Sd13zr@brocku.ca
Current Bachelor of Business Administration Co-op student at the Goodman School of Business
Shanen is a fourth year business student, working as a Communications Assistant for the ESRC. She is interested in strategic planning and management, and looking to find new, innovative ways to contribute to Environmental Sustainability on a personal level, as well as collectively for the Brock community.
Jasper Fisher is undergoing his third year of a Psychology/Neuroscience Bachelor’s degree with a minor in Gender Studies, and is a Co-op student with the ESRC. His main research interests are in the fields of behavioural and environmental neuroscience, as well as neuroendocrinology focussing on psychological gendered behaviours and mental illness. His interest in environmental neuroscience led him to an involvement with the ESRC, through which sustainability can be studied through a transdisciplinary lens.
Current Master of Sustainability student (Fall 2019) under the supervision of Todd Green.
Erica graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 2018 with a BBA in marketing and a minor in Spanish. She is interested in corporate social responsibility and its influence on consumer behaviour. Erica looks forward to promoting sustainability at Brock through social media and innovative events on campus.
Email: kj15fm@brocku.ca
Current Bachelor of Public Health candidate with a minor in Environmental Sustainability at Brock University
Kaitlin will be in her fourth and final year of her Bachelor of Public Health degree in the fall. Kaitlin is interested in the intersection between global health and the environment, and the impact human activity can have towards environmental and health outcomes. She is excited to be joining the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre as a Communications Assistant this summer, to help drive movement towards a more sustainable Brock.
Current Master of Sustainability student (Fall 2019) under the supervision of Jessica Blythe.
Nolan graduated from Brock University in 2019 with a degree in Sport Management and minor in Environmental Sustainability. He is interested in how sports interact with the environment and the ways in which sports can transition towards sustainability. Nolan is looking forward to working on the Brock University Project Charter and promoting sustainability initiatives across the Brock campus.
Email: sm18fj@brocku.ca
Incoming Master of Sustainability student (Fall 2018) under the supervision of Ryan Plummer.
Shelby completed her BAS in Arts and Sciences, with minors in political studies and environmental science from Trent University. Shelby is excited to be joining the ESRC for the summer as the Special Projects Assistant. She is looking forward to working towards positive, meaningful change on campus through the Brock University Project Charter.
Current Master of Sustainability candidate (Fall 2020) under the supervision of Dr. Jessica Blythe
Mikellena Nettos completed her undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences (Honours) with a minor in environmental sustainability and a minor in dramatic arts. She believes the Charter with Facilities Management is a great opportunity because it allows her to enact change towards sustainable practices on a University level and she looks forward to working towards these goals with her colleagues.
Current Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) Political Science Co-op Student
Noah is a third-year political science student, working as a Communications and Events Assistant for the ESRC. He is interested in increasing community awareness of and engagement with Environmental Sustainability, both on a collective and personal level.
Email: ct18ft@brocku.ca
Master of Sustainability, Brock University
Connor graduated from Western University with a BA (Hons.) in Political Science. He is interested in the attitude-behaviour gap in pro-environmental behaviour both on campus and abroad. Connor is working with the ESRC on the Brock University Project Charter, helping to promote our social media accounts and create new ideas for sustainability efforts on campus.
Current Master of Sustainability Candidate (Fall 2020) under the supervision of Dr. Gary Pickering
Shannon holds an Honours BA in Psychology from Brock University. She is currently working towards her thesis with Dr. Gary Pickering and is interested in psychological barriers towards climate change mitigation.
Current Master of Sustainability student (Fall 2021) under the supervision of Dr. Todd Green.
Alexandra completed her BA (Honours) in Professional Communication with a Minor in Public Relations at Ryerson University. She is interested in the role of communication in environmental sustainability. Alexandra is excited to work on the Brock University Project Charter and promote the university’s sustainability initiatives to the Brock community and beyond.
In the News
May 8, 2023: Environmental Justice: Moving Away from the Shadow
May 8, 2023: Students logged sustainable actions to showcase environmental commitment leading to Earth Day!
April 26, 2023: How to become a more sustainable traveller
April 25, 2023: Student Observations Capture Invasive Species at Dufferin Islands BioBlitz
April 20, 2023: Brock University Seed Library community engagement events!
April 19, 2023: Students show environmental stewardship at campus clean-up!
April 3, 2023: Upcoming BioBlitz: We Need Your Help!
March 30, 2023: The Race to Meet Net Zero by 2050
March 15, 2023: Interview with Jay Ismailovic: Brock’s Green Cleaning Program
March 8, 2023: Understanding Organic Food Consumption
February 21, 2023: Sustainable Agriculture
February 14, 2023: Tour of Brock’s District Energy System – Experiential Education for SSAS Students
February 6, 2023: Exploring Sustainable Fashion Practices
February 2, 2023: World Wetlands Day
January 31, 2023: International Development Week and THE Impact Rankings
January 20, 2023: Bill 23: More Home Built Faster Act
January 3, 2023: Sustainable Transportation Options at Brock
December 16, 2022: Sustainability at Brock Year-in-Review 2022
December 7, 2022: Students in ADST 5P70 Participate in Sustainability Challenge
November 20, 2022: ‘Tis the Season to be Sustainable
November 4, 2022: Taking Climate Action
October 17, 2022: Brock Students embraced Welcome Back Sustainability Challenge
August 8, 2022: Co-op Highlight: Alexandra Cotrufo
July 15, 2022: Niagara Climate Change Summit: Collaborating for a Sustainable Future
April 28, 2022: Brock students celebrated Earth Hour with sustainability challenge
April 18, 2022: Seed Library Starts First Chapter at Brock University
April 18, 2022: Seeds on loan to community at Brock library
April 14, 2022: BUSU planning for greener future
March 30, 2022: Decreasing single-use plastics through the Living Planet Leader Certification
March 28, 2022: Buying gently used for a more sustainable lifestyle
March 21, 2022: Brock students challenged to take sustainable actions this week
March 17, 2022: A snapshot into the recent IPCC Impacts Adaptation and Vulnerability projections
February 18, 2022: Eco-anxiety: What is it and how to manage it
January 24, 2022: Buying local and sustainably through the winter
December 13, 2021: Sustainability at Brock Year-in-Review 2021
November 2, 2021: The best green study spaces at Brock
October 28, 2021: What to watch and read this Fall: A guide to sustainability focused books and documentaries
August 11, 2021: Achieving WWF-Canada’s Living Planet Leader Certification
July 27, 2021: Climate change in the Niagara Region
July 12, 2021: What’s in season: Supporting Niagara farmers
June 15, 2021: Brock students pitch ideas to create global change with WWF-Canada
June 11, 2021: Reducing Food Waste 101
June 2, 2021: Mental Health Week – Lawn Care 101 Recap
May 21, 2021: Tips for a Sustainable Summer
May 19, 2021: Brock Students Clean Up Their Communities During Earth Week
April 29, 2021: The Sustainable Development Goals and Gender Inequality
April 22, 2021: Earth Day 2021
April 13, 2021: Brock University and Niagara College Team up to Host a Virtual Spring Clean-Up
March 25, 2021: Inequalities in Niagara and How You Can Help Eliminate Them
March 10, 2021: Sustainability Starts with You
February 11, 2021: Brock Earns Silver STARS Rating
February 3, 2021: Sustainable Development Goals: Public Health
January 25, 2021: How to Lead a Low Impact Life in 2021
December 14, 2020: Sustainability at Brock Year-in-Review 2020
November 19, 2020: 5 Netflix Documentaries for the Eco-Conscious
November 18, 2020: WWF-Brock Cares Wrap Up
October 29, 2020: Sustainable Halloween
October 24, 2020: WWF-Brock Cares Event
October 15, 2020: Update to the Niagara Region Garbage Retrieval Schedule
October 6, 2020: Summer Wrap Up
September 11, 2020: Taking an Active Role in Environmental Stewardship
June 5, 2020: Brock teams up to take strides in sustainability
April 30, 2020: Reducing Reliance on Single-Use Plastics After Covid-19
April 30, 2020: Lessons from a Pandemic
April 21, 2020: 2019 Waste Audit highlights Brock’s progress towards sustainability
April 2, 2020: Why We Should Upcycle Before We Recycle
March 18, 2020: Pledging Towards Environmental Sustainability
March 18, 2020: How to Recycle like a Pro in the Niagara Region
March 14, 2020: Building a Way to Environmental Sustainability: LEED
March 14, 2020: Brock’s Commitment to Environmental Sustainability Continues with Completion of DEEP
February 20, 2020: 4 Ways to Reduce Textile Waste
February 11, 2020: Empty Coffee Cups are Brock’s Top Recycling Offender
February 7, 2020: It’s Cool to Carpool to School!
January 17, 2020: Leo LeBlanc Rowing Center LED Lighting Upgrade
December 2019: Sustainability at Brock Year-in-Review 2019
November 25, 2019: Sustainable Development Goals Training Day: A Reflection
November 8, 2019: Sustainable Development Goals training set for Nov. 16
August 30, 2019: Functional & Sustainable: Wayfinding is a Win-Win
August 30, 2019: Interview: Ana Ferreira, Brock Eco Society
August 30, 2019: Interview: Drew Cullen, District Energy Manager
August 30, 2019: Noah’s Summer Wrap-Up
August 30, 2019: Interview: Ryan Stewart, Energy Manager
August 30, 2019: Jasper’s Summer Wrap-Up
August 30, 2019: SDG Training Day
June 18, 2019: NOTL to Ban Single Use Plastic
June 18, 2019: Fighting the Climate Emergency
March 1, 2019: Environmental sustainability at centre of International Women’s Day event
October 25, 2018: “Meet Brock’s newest commitment to sustainability: The Brock University Environmental Sustainability Plan 2018”
October 17, 2018: “Finding the green in our own backyard”
October 9, 2018: “Have an old textbook you can’t sell? Donate it instead!”
September 27, 2018: “Summer Wrap-Up: My last week with the ESRC”
September 25, 2018: “Reflections on my summer at the ESRC”
July 25, 2018: “Checking out the Cogeneration Plant at Brock”
July 16, 2018: “Farmers’ Market at Jubilee Court”
June 28, 2018: “Waste Not, Worry Not – Brock’s Got it Covered”
June 21, 2018: “Walking trails located around Brock University!”
June 20, 2018: “Exciting Scholarship Opportunity for Brock’s Environmental Sustainability students!”
June 15, 2018: “Milestones achieved by Facilities Management at Brock!”
June 13, 2018: “SSAS Students Take Stock of Sustainability Initiatives at Brock”
June 7, 2018: “Ready, Set, Charge!”
June 1, 2018: “Sustainability Committee Workshop”
May 25, 2018: “In our backyard: ESRC playing a part in Brock’s Community Garden”
May 17, 2018: “First week at the ESRC: An introduction to what we’re working on this summer”
March 1, 2018: “Welcome to the ESRC’s new home! Here are some of our favourite features of the Theal House”
February 28, 2018: “Brock unveils a new showcase and a new era for environmental sustainability”
