Get involved
Collaboration is at the core of sustainability - working together on new opportunities is what will continue to make UVic a leader in sustainability on the ground, in the office and in the classroom. This can only be accomplished through inter-campus partnerships, student participation, and the passion of dedicated faculty and staff working to green their workplace. Find out more about how you can be part of the solution by exploring the opportunities explained in the tabs below.
Sign up to receive our weekly emails summarizing sustainability news and events by emailing action@uvic.ca.
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Action teams
Sustainability action teams
At UVic, we see sustainability as a shared responsibility - everyone has a role to play in making where we work and go to school a place where we incorporate environmental responsibility into everything we do. You can get directly involved by joining one of these groups of sustainability action teams and become a sustainability leader - learn lots, make new friends and make a difference!
The sustainability action team (SAT) program is a series of initiatives to green our offices, our student residences and our labs. Find out more and sign up your team here.
Student groups
UVic is home to many student groups with a sustainability focus. Find out which one is right for you, and get involved!
Environmental Studies Student Association (ESSA)
Sustainability Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
UVic Sustainability Project (UVSP)
UVSS Environmental Sustainability Council
Vancouver Island Public Interest Group (VIPIRG)
Community
Here's a sampling of the many non-profit organizations in the area working on sustainability issues:
BC Sustainable Energy Association
Friends of Beaconhill Park Society
Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society
Friends of Renewable Energy (FORE BC)
Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre
Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition
Islands Organic Growers' Association
Mount Tolmie Conservancy Association
Pacific Shorekeepers and Reefkeepers
Raincoast Conservation Society
Sea Change Marine Conservation Society
Sierra Club - Victoria Chapter
Society for Organic Urban Land Care
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Stewards of Irreplaceable Land
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation
Victoria Native Plant Study Group
Victoria Natural History Society
Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Revolving Fund
Do you have an energy or water saving idea, that if implemented, could result in utility cost savings for the university? Through the Revolving Sustainability Fund initiative, you can see your idea put into practice and contribute to more sustainable operational practices at UVic.
Launched in 2011, the Revolving Sustainability Fund provides $250,000 in capital to fund conservation projects on campus that provide immediate financial returns on investment. The projects pay back the fund through savings from utility or operating costs. Because the money is repaid to the fund, the fund is able to reinvest the capital (making it a revolving mechanism) to fund additional sustainability projects on campus.
Contact action@uvic.ca for more info.
Residences
Students living in student residences on campus have a unique opportunity to practice sustainability where they live.
Residence Life & Education hosts a number of themed communities, including Sustainability in the South Tower residence building, one of our green buildings on campus (LEED Gold accredited). Students take special programming to explore sustainability at the individual, community and societal levels. Contact reslife@uvic.ca for more information.
Residence students have access to Communiy Leaders that may lead sustainability initiatives and events such as energy and waste reduction competitions, eco-themed movie nights and speakers, and special workshops available to their students living in residence throughout the year.
The Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability is available to assit Community Leaders or residence students with ideas, events, and may even provide a small budget for prizes if you have a contest idea.
Check out a few of our residence resources here:
Residence Sustainability Guide
Residence Appliance Audit Instructions (Energy Meters available at Res Life)
