Living and learning in a sustainable way is a core value
At Saskatchewan Polytechnic faculty, staff and students are encouraged to incorporate a value of working, living and learning in a socially and environmentally responsible way. This value has led to the creation of a proposed sustainability charter, which is developed to support the strategic plan and guide future sustainability initiatives.
"With sustainability listed as one of our core values at Sask Polytech, we want to make sure we are guided by a set of principles that are rooted in best practices and can support the strategic plan," says Curt Schroeder, Learning Technologies trainer and sustainability action team project manager.
The charter will support a variety of objectives, such as establishing a sustainability policy, recommendations for all practices and procedures in operations and promoting research and innovation. It will also identify indicators of success.
Sask Polytech's commitment to sustainability doesn't end there though. The office of Applied Research offers a Sustainability Initiative Fund (SIF) to support applied research initiatives that create ecological awareness and/or promote social and economic responsibility.
"This fund is about supporting sustainable development, which seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations," says June Anonson, acting director, applied research. "We're in a position right now to learn our way out of current social and environmental problems as we learn to live sustainably."
Current projects receiving SIF funding include exploring a localized climate change adaption tool for Saskatchewan and mapping invasive plant species at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.
If you're looking for a little inspiration for Earth Day, make sure to check out one of the campaigns being run by Earth Day Canada. There is even a way to remotely take a pledge to make Earth Day every day and remotely sign a 25th anniversary earth flag. Learn more at their website, www.earthday.ca.
This is the third instalment of a four-part series highlighting the core values at Saskatchewan Polytechnic values: excellence, respect, integrity and sustainability.
Sustainability: We work, live and learn in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. We support the health, safety and overall wellbeing of our students, employees and partners. We are conscientious stewards of our resources and continuously look for entrepreneurial and creative ways to strengthen and improve our organization. These considerations underlie all our actions, behaviours and decisions.