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Thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous donor, the ³Ô¹ÏÍø launched the Sustainability Scholars Program in 2024.  This unique graduate program allows students to work with local partners on sustainability research projects via a paid internship. Between May and August, the students take on applied research that develop their professional capacity while tackling identified sustainability challenges.  

This year, 12 scholars from a wide range of educational backgrounds took part in the program. From forest restoration plans to researching how ghost gear harms marine life, these projects are making the world a better and more sustainable place. 

Conservation and restoration for Littlewood Forest 

Matt Britton, who is completing his master’s in public administration, partnered with the non-profit Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture to create a conservation and restoration plan for the 17-acre plot of natural springs, wetlands, and swamplands known as Littlewood Forest.  

In the 1800s the area around Littlewood Forest in North Saanich, BC, was cleared for agricultural purposes, eventually transforming into a racetrack in the 1950s. The area has, over decades, been overtaken by invasive species, requiring a comprehensive plan to introduce restoration and conservation actions.  

Working for watersheds

Watersheds, which are an area that collects and channels water into another larger body of water, are an important part of many ecosystems. They can be a source of clean water, as well as a habitat for plants and animals. But securing and restoring them can be quite the challenge.

Kalpana Jha, a doctoral student in public administration, partnered with Watersheds BC with the goal of developing a watershed workforce for the province. Watershed workforces work towards protecting natural watersheds. Kalpana's research identified programs and micro-credentials needed to develop this workforce within the Stronger BC Future Action Plan.

Researching fishing pollution and its sources on the coasts of BC

Ghost gear is a term used to describe abandoned fishing items that get left behind in marine locations. This often includes discarded objects such as fishing gear, crab pots, and other items intended for marine use. Ghost gear harms marine wildlife, causing damage to coastal ecosystems and adding to marine pollution.

Shima Akar, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering, partnered with West Coast Environmental Law and Surfrider Canada to research the types of ghost gear pollution present in coastal waters, and locate its sources. This information would be used to help form policy proposals and enhance producer responsibility and advance environmental stewardship.