Sask Polytech is pleased to present our second annual Sustainability Day—an event where we come together to celebrate the work we do that contributes to sustainability and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Hosted by the Office of Applied Research and Innovation, this in-person event gives students, faculty and staff on all four campuses the opportunity to connect across the whole organization through a combination of in-person and virtual talks, booths and more.

Date: April 25, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location:

In-person and virtual events are planned for each campus location. See details below. Register to attend virtually, or to let us know if you are coming in person.

Register

In the week leading up to Sustainability Day, the Library will be hosting a composting sustainability webinar on April 16. Learn more and register to attend.

Events

Talk sessions: The polytechnic advantage - leading the rise in applied sustainability 

These sessions are dedicated to showcasing a major project from each campus that contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There will be one ten-minute presentation from each campus, with each presentation being streamed to the other three campuses.

Time: 10:30 a.m. - noon
Location: In person and virtual.
Registration: Register to attend virtually, or to let us know if you are coming in person.
Join Dr. Has Malik in room 140.1 for opening remarks.
Presenter: Lindsey Boechler, research chair in cultural empowerment
Location: Regina campus, room 140.1

This presentation will introduce research being carried out in the Centre for Health Research, Innovation and Scholarship that explores the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to enhance mental health and well-being. The projects Virtual Interventions and Community Connections for Indigenous Youth (VICCIY) and Transforming Health Realities Through Interactive Virtual Engagement (THRIVE) take innovative, proactive and holistic approaches to address the mental health needs of specific populations. By harnessing VR technology, these projects aim to overcome access barriers and enhance the quality of mental health support services.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 3 Good health and well-being
  • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 17 Partnerships for the goals
Presenters: Keri Sapsford, research assistant & Volker Schmid, research associate 
Location: Prince Albert campus, Dining room

The Natural Resource Management Applied Research Group, part of the Sustainability-Led Centres of Excellence (SLICE), received a CICan Living Labs grant to introduce a vermiculture composting facility at the Prince Albert campus. This project is both a teaching resource, and a practical waste reduction initiative. Students are involved in running and perfecting the composting process, which diverts food waste from the campus Commons kitchen. As part of the Living Lab project, the team has created a guidance manual to help any organisation with a commercial kitchen set up a composting system tailored to the type and volume of kitchen waste they produce.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Presenter: Blake Weiseth
Location: Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr, main lecture theatre

Effective water management on farms seeks to strike a balance of allowing farmers to manage water on the landscape, such as through wetland consolidation, but also limiting downstream environmental impacts. A consolidation project was initiated in the fall of 2020 where surface ditches were constructed to channel runoff water from eight ephemeral wetlands situated in a single field site having a common management history. Following construction, a land management practice anticipated to have potential benefit in reducing P export off site in runoff was applied to each basin, including variable-rate fertilizer application, polycropping of annual forage species, post-harvest residue incorporation through shallow light tillage, and a control treatment of an annual grain crop managed with a fixed fertilizer application rate and no post-harvest tillage. A statistically significant reduction in soluble reactive inorganic P concentration and trend for reduced P load in field and simulated snowmelt runoff was observed with variable rate fertilization, forage cropping and strategic tillage relative to the control. In 2023, canola grain and straw yields were not statistically significantly influenced by the management practice implemented and as demonstrated in 2021 and 2022, the maintenance of acceptable crop yields despite a reduced phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer application rate in the variable rate (VR) treatment in 2023 supports this practice as a means to promote nutrient use efficiency.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 15 Life on Land
Presenter: Cyril Coupal, research manager, DICE
Location: Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr., main lecture theatre

Food security and correspondingly in-security is a topic of extreme importance around the world. Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Digital Integrated Centre of Excellence (DICE) is working with multiple industry partners in Saskatchewan utilizing technology and artificial intelligence to improve farming practices in sustainable ways. These technologies help reduce environmental impacts while simultaneously improving yields and thereby improving food security from the supply side.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 2 Zero hunger
  • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities

Sustainability marketplace 

Stop by the marketplace on your campus before or between talks to find more about sustainability in your community and grab a free tea or coffee! Local vendors will  share information about their services and resources for sustainability. Members of our Sask Polytech community will provide information and demonstrations around sustainability and the UN SDGs. 

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location:

Prince Albert campus: Outside The Commons dining hall

Regina campus: "Main Street" corridor

Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr: Main entrance corridor.

Reused metals with the Sask Polytech Welding program
  • The Welding program is minimizing waste by using metal scrap to produce interesting and useful items. Come and see what they are creating!
  • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Bat box with the Sask Polytech Carpentry program
  • By using off-cuts to build bat boxes, the Carpentry program is supporting sustainability in two ways – waste reduction and providing safe nesting space for a critical species!
  • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Sustainable growing table planting demonstration
  • Sask Polytech’s Nadine Craig will be sharing her passion for planting! Come to the sustainable growing table to find out how to successfully grow your own plants!
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
The Backyard composting  
  • Find out all you need to know about composting from our local composting heroes! The Backyard can help you find the best way to reduce your food waste and start growing your own produce!
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
GIS student projects
  • Come and see some of the innovative and interesting ways in which our students are using GIS to contribute to sustainability! More than just maps – Sask Polytech has state-of-the-art GIS technology that our students and faculty are using to tackle complex sustainability challenges. 
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
    • Goal 15 Life on land

School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences
  • Dental students will be visiting classrooms in the morning to share sustainability initiatives that their programs are doing. Students will be at the marketplace from 11 a.m.- 12.30 p.m. handing out sustainable toothbrushes made of wood instead of plastic.
  • Goal 3 Good health and well-being
Afro Mentorship Initiative (AMI)
  • Afro Mentorship’s mission is to support Afro (African and Caribbean) children and youth as they continue to grow and become all that is meant for them. In turn, our mentees develop into young adults who make a powerful impact within our greater communities. AMI) works to empower girls (#queenbmentorship) and boys (#kingsclubmentorship) by equipping them with the tools, resources, and strategies to help them achieve their academic and life goals.
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 4 Quality education
    • Goal 8 Decent work and economic growth
    • Goal 10 Reduced inequalities
Upcycling Jewelry 
  • Sask Polytech’s own Kelsi Murrow will be demonstrating how you can repurpose and reuse different materials to create something new and beautiful! 
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 3 Good health and well-being
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Regina Education and Action on Child Hunger (REACH)
  • REACH’s vision is a healthy community where everyone has access to nutritious and affordable food. As well as taking action to reduce child hunger, REACH has programs that include good food boxes, frozen meals, family basket, and a mobile store. 
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 2 Zero hunger
    • Goal 3 Good health and well-being
City of Regina, Waste and Recycling
  • Come and find out about the City of Regina’s diverse programs, resources and tips for minimizing the waste we send to landfill. 
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Fitness & Recreation, Sask Polytech
  • Thinking about getting your bike out now that the snow has gone? Our Fitness & Recreation team is here to give advice on how to cycle safely, whether you are commuting or going for a leisurely ride.
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 3 Good health and well-being
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
Sustainability-Led Integrated Centres of Excellence (SLICE)
  • The Sustainability-Led Integrated Centres of Excellence houses a diverse set of highly skilled applied researchers. Come along to find out about some of the important work SLICE is doing to support sustainable industry in our province and beyond! 
  • Goals:
    • Goal 9: Industry, innovation and Iifrastructure
    • Goal 15: Life on land
School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences
  • Stop by for a quick health check! Nursing faculty will be on-hand for a health check. Stop by to get your vital signs and blood glucose checked and find out more about how to maintain healthy levels!
  • Goal 3 Good health and well-being
CHEP Good Food
  • Stock up on fresh produce at CHEP’s community market, located outside the library. Find out how CHEP’s activities help ensure all Saskatoon school children have access to nutritious food for at least one meal per day.
  • Goals:
    • Goal 2 Zero hunger
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
Cosmopolitan Industries
  • Cosmopolitan Industries has been a mainstay of social and environmental sustainability in Saskatoon since 1971. Come and find out about how they support individuals with intellectual disabilities to reach their full potential through their many programs, including recycling.
  • Goals:
    • Goal 8 Decent work and economic growth
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production.
Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre
  • The Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre is more than just a food bank. They have a wealth of knowledge and resources to help all people access safe and nutritious food. They also run the Garden Patch, an urban farm that has grown almost 200,000 lbs of food for emergency hampers since 2010. Volunteers at the Garden Patch can help their community while learning how to grow produce!
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 2 Zero hunger
    • Goal 3 Good health and well-being
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Library of Things YXE
  • The Library of Things is a physical space and online inventory of items that people can borrow locally, ranging from tools, kitchen gadgets, board games, camping accessories and more! They are able to improve access to a wide range of items without the need for more consumption. Check out all that they have to offer!
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 10 Reduced inequalities
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Saskatchewan Waste Reducation Council (SWRC) composting
  • Check out the information and resources the SWRC has to help you start composting and reducing the amount of food waste going to landfill!
  • Goals:
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production

Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council (SWRC) Waste Wagon
  • The SWRC is dedicated to helping the people of Saskatchewan reduce waste. Come and ask them how you can help reduce waste.
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Saskatoon Cycles
  • Saskatoon Cycles is your ultimate resource for safe cycling around Saskatoon! As well as advocating for a city where cycling is viable and safe all-year-round, you can find lots of useful cycling-related information on their website.
  • SDG goals:
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
Sask Polytech Hospitality Services
  • Hospitality Services are sustainability leaders at Saskatchewan Polytechnic! Find out about the many ways they are reducing the environmental impact of food service operations. Initiatives include reducing the number of disposable cups containers we use, kitchen & food waste management best-practices, applied research into re-useable bio-plastic take-out containers, and more!
  • Goals:
    • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
    • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production

Lightning talk sessions: A lightning tour of applied research for sustainability with special guests from USask’s Prairie Water research group

Join us to hear about some of the applied research that our faculty, staff and students are doing. Learn about projects related to healthcare, geospatial technology, agriculture and more, and find out how they contribute to sustainability. We'll also welcome our guest from the Global Institute of Water Security’s Prairie Water team to see how some of our applied research relates to academic research.

Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Location: You can attend in-person at any of the campus locations indicated to watch live or streamed to the room via Zoom, or attend virtually via Zoom.
Registration:  Register to attend virtually, or to let us know if you are coming in person.
Presenter: Linda Martin
Location: Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr., main lecture theatre

A research project was conducted in 2023 on school-based recreation therapy for children and youth with various physical, developmental and/or learning disabilities, as well as mental health concerns in elementary and high schools. An overview of the research results will be provided, highlighting the benefits of recreation therapy in schools as a part of the regular school program, implementing 1:1 or small group interventions during school hours.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 3 Good health and well-being
  • Goal 4 Quality education
  • Goal 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
Presenter: Eileen Zaba
Location: Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr. main lecture theatre

This project brings Saskatchewan Polytechnic researchers together with James Smith Cree Nation and La Loche community members to co-create a community crisis preparedness framework to respond to a community crisis with mass casualties such as James Smith experienced during the September 2022 attacks and La Loche experienced during the January 2016 school shooting. This project may identify prevention, assist in healing existing wounds through talking, and determine the gaps in knowledge required to co-create a tangible resource to support varying Indigenous cultures and communities through mass casualty tragedies.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 3 Good health and well-being
  • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
  • Goal 17 Partnerships for the goals
Presenter: Ann Quimado
Location: Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr., main lecture theatre

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is supporting a local producer of bee boxes in reducing the carbon footprint of its operations, and increasing its economic stability. The Eco-Bee Box is a Saskatchewan-designed retail product that provides nesting space for bees, which are essential for pollination. Sask Polytech is designing a bespoke tool that will allow the company to manufacture a component of the bee boxes that is currently imported.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 15 Life on land
Presenter: Muhammad Abdullah 
Location: Regina campus, room 140.1

This talk will briefly discuss a track and trace system developed for Prairie Clean Energy – a  Canadian bioenergy company. The talk will look at the introduction of the track and trace technology, how it is working in practice and working, and a live demonstration.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 7 Affordable and clean energy
  • Goal 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production

Presenter: Sonja Aagesen 
Location: Regina campus, room 140.1

This talk will first examine the increasing affects of extreme weather caused by tropical cyclones in the northern Philippines due to warming oceans and sea-level rise in combination with local geography. The talk will then discuss the impact on infrastructure and agriculture, in relation to coastal food security and livelihoods of the Indigenous peoples in Aurora province and what measures are being taken to increase community resiliency.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 13 Climate action
Presenter: Uyen Lam 
Location: Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr., main lecture theatre

This talk will share how remote sensing and GIS are being used to map the locations and status of oil wells in Frog Lake, Alberta. The information is displayed in dashboards to help decision-making and to track the environmental impacts of abandoned wells. In addition, we are creating an app to be used by emergency services, like the fire department, for better emergency management and wayfinding.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 15 Life on land
Presenter: Colin Whitfield 
Location: Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr., lecture theatre

There are no tools or data products available for hydraulic design and analysis that have been developed for the unique challenges of the Canadian prairies. The Prairie Hydrological Data Product (PHyDAP) addresses this gap. From comprehensive field observations, Prairie Water developed seven classes that describe the more than 4000 watersheds in the prairie region. These classifications are combined with the Cold Regions Hydrological Model to provide locally specific time-series data which can be used in hydraulic modelling. Through this approach, PHyDAP provides hydrological data that is more reliable than existing sources not specific to prairie hydrology. PHyDAP data can be combined with hydraulic models to support improved infrastructure design that reflects the unique hydrology and climate of the Canadian prairies.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 15 Life on land
Presenter: Abdul Raouf 
Location: Regina campus, room 140.1 

Sensors mounted on satellites are continuously acquiring data of the Earth and its environment. This presentation will give an overview of how we can, and do, use this valuable source of information to address a broad range of sustainability challenges. Satellite remote sensing data is an essential resource for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals including Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 13 (Climate Action),and Goal 15 (Life on Land).

SDG goals:
  • Goal 2 Zero hunger
  • Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 15 Life on land
Presenter: Helen Baulch, University of Saskatchewan
Location: Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr., lecture theatre

Responsive to questions from partners, we embarked on a multi-dimensional research program to understand options for managing the drainage of prairie wetlands. Novel ecosystem service models, based upon the unique hydrology of the region demonstrate important impacts of drainage, including flooding, increased nutrient export, and impacts on habitat and biodiversity. Expert-driven scenario development also shows potential for critical changes in the region associated with climate and land use change. Importantly, there are fundamental differences among stakeholders in their understanding of how the system works, leading to divergent interpretations of the benefits and consequences of drainage.
Presenter: Blake Weiseth 
Location: Saskatoon campus, Idylwyld Dr., main lecture theatre

Effective water management on farms seeks to strike a balance of allowing farmers to manage water on the landscape, such as through wetland consolidation, but also limiting downstream environmental impacts. A consolidation project was initiated in the fall of 2020 where surface ditches were constructed to channel runoff water from eight ephemeral wetlands situated in a single field site having a common management history. A number of different practices aimed at mitigating P losses were then tested to assess impact on P export, and crop yields. The results provide insight into potential land and water management best-practices on prairie croplands.

SDG goals:
  • Goal 12 Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 15 Life on land

Why Sustainability Day?

Sustainability is one of Sask Polytech’s four key values, and feeds into our vision and mission— to lead the rise of polytechnic education and empower a better Saskatchewan. As part of our commitment to those values, Sask Polytech signed up to the UN SDG Accord, a global initiative to UN SDGs.  
 
Sask Polytech has many existing initiatives, projects, courses and other activities that contribute to these global goals. Sustainability Day allows us to share those activities and celebrate all of the good work we are doing. We know we can be even more innovative and sustainable as an institution through greater collaboration and sharing of knowledge, skills and resources. Sustainability Day is also an opportunity to connect with others across our campus community in the spirit of miyo wâhkôhtowin—good relationships.  

Contact us

Sustainability Day planning committee
applied.research@saskpolytech.ca