Campus Naturalization Initiatives

The preservation and enhancement of campus ecology, biodiversity, and naturalized landscapes is of utmost importance
to UBCO. Our Campus Plan, Design Guidelines, Whole Systems Infrastructure Plan and Integrated Rainwater
Management Plan provide guidance in support of the expression of these values on campus, and in seeking to
reflect the unique characteristics of our local environment.

  • Ecological Audits and Inventories

    Our unit continues to benefit greatly from the information and guidance shared by the Indigenous
    Studies program’s summer intensives and their ongoing work to undertake campus ecological audits
    and inventories, which we anticipate will cover more and more areas of campus, through its many
    seasonal changes, over the coming years.

  • Managing Invasive Species

    There is work is underway to manage invasive species, provide best management practices to
    support ecosystems and species at risk, and manage rainwater that falls on campus in a way that
    supports the natural hydrological cycle, with co-benefits to campus ecology and biodiversity. We
    acknowledge there is much more work to be undertaken and are leveraging opportunities wherever
    possible within new projects and renewals to create a positive impact on our surroundings.

  • En’owkin Centre Engagement

    In our pursuit of meaningful and culturally sensitive change, we are engaged in emerging
    conversations with Indigenous faculty, staff and traditional knowledge keepers through
    engagement with the En’owkin Centre. Through ongoing consultations, we hope to co-create and
    implement strategies that acknowledge and respect local Indigenous cultural protocols, ensuring
    that their wisdom is appropriately integrated into our naturalized landscape initiatives.

  • Outdoor Gathering Space

    Recently, the development of a conceptual design for the Outdoor Gathering Space project was
    proposed within the area east of the existing campus pond. This project was developed in
    alignment with UBCO’s 2019 commitments in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s
    Calls to Action, and will address ambitions for ecological restoration, traditional food
    harvesting and preservation, and a medicine garden, as well as an outdoor learning structure,
    gathering circle and fire pit, and other flexible spaces for teaching and learning.

  • x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn

    The landscape approach for the x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn is presently under construction south of the EME
    building. The landscape for this project will retain the large area of intact indigenous trees
    and their naturalized understory on Alumni Ave. as well as on the east side of the site, and
    feature extensive indigenous planting areas informed by engagement with the En’owkin Centre and
    Traditional Ecological Knowledge keepers. While there will be a few small areas that will
    include hydroseeding with a locally appropriate, naturalized seed mix, no formal / mowed lawns
    will be provided.

  • Reichwald Health Sciences Centre
    Lawn Renaturalization

    The campus recently initiated a transition of greenspace adjacent to the Reichwald Health
    Sciences Centre (RHSC) to reduce irrigation requirements and allow for indigenous plants and
    flowers to support pollinators.

    Additional work is currently underway now to determine where and how these efforts can be
    expanded elsewhere on campus.