Life on Land

1. Ontario Master Naturalist: Lakehead University's Ontario Master Naturalist program is the first of its kind in Canada and offers certificates and workshops available to members of the public focused on conservation and environmental stewardship to broaden their knowledge and expertise of the natural world through formal training and guidance.
2. Outreach and Community Engagement: Lakehead University often organizes outreach initiatives with local school boards, community groups and the general public aimed at promoting conservation and sustainable land use, examples include webinars, seminars with guest speakers and conference events.
3. Lakehead University Herbarium Conservation Reserve: The Greenwood Lake Conservation Reserve has been established to better understand the conditions of the white pines within the Ontario forests and help with future conservation and regeneration within the reserve.
4. Land-Based Learning Opportunities: The Department of Indigenous Education, in partnership with First Nations communities in the region, offers Aki-based (land-based) learning opportunities to students through traditional, activity-based learning on the land. This program fosters relationships to the land through Indigenous teachings, traditions, culture, and environmental stewardship.

Lakehead's food providers, Aramark Canada and Dana Hospitality LP, have long-standing commitments to advancing sustainable sourcing practices that minimize impacts on people, animals and the environment. Aramark's Supplier Code of Conduct addresses three core commitments: 

1. Sustainably caught seafood, 
2. Humanely raised proteins, and 
3. Locally sourced fruits and vegetables 

Aramark also has an environmental sustainability platform called  'Green Thread' which emphasizes responsible sourcing, waste minimization, efficient operations, and transportation management optimization. Through their commitment to responsible sourcing, Aramark purchases local, seasonal and responsibly raised, grown and sourced products whenever possible.

The university actively engages in research, conservation, and restoration projects that aim to safeguard and enhance ecosystems, with a particular focus on areas under threat. These initiatives include the remediation of natural habitats, planting of native species, wildlife monitoring, and public outreach and education programs to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem health.  Examples of current initiatives include:

1. Outdoor Learning Spaces: Lakehead University has a number of formal and informal outdoor learning spaces on both of our scenic campuses.  These outdoor spaces not only enhance the educational experience but also contribute to the conservation and preservation of existing ecosystems and their biodiversity.  More information about Lakehead’s outdoor learning spaces can be found here.
2. Lakehead University Herbarium Conservation Reserve: The Greenwood Lake Conservation Reserve has been established to better understand the conditions of the white pines within the Ontario forests and help with future conservation and regeneration within the reserve.
3. Freshwater Coastal Management Research Group:  Dr. Robert Stewart, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography leads an interdisciplinary group examining issues related to freshwater coastal regions including coastal zone management and source water protection.  His work also includes the development of Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) along the north shore of Lake Superior to reduce and eliminate threats to aquatic ecosystems. 
4. Protection of Species at Risk: Dr. Julie Rosenthal, Associate Professor in the Department of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism has served on the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario. More information can be found here and here.
5. Community Partnerships: Lakehead University researchers actively collaborate with community partnerships and research to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and biodiversity, through organizations such as the Lakehead Regional Conservation Authority, EcoSuperior, Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada, Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority and others.
6. Research Centres: The Aquatic Toxicology Research Centre (ATRC) at Lakehead University specializes in regulatory testing/monitoring of the effects of effluents on aquatic organisms. The ATRC provides a full range of toxicity testing services including acute testing on rainbow trout and daphnia magna (water fleas). 

Lakehead University offers a comprehensive range of free and paid educational programs focused on ecosystems providing students with a deep understanding of the intricate connections between living organisms and their environment.  Educational programmes on ecosystems include:

1. Degree Programs: Lakehead University offers various undergraduate, master and doctoral programs that include coursework and/or research on ecosystems. 
   1. These include:
      Undergraduate programs: Biology, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management and Sustainability Sciences;
      Master programs: Biology, Environmental Studies, Forestry and Forestry Management;
      Doctoral program: Forest Science.
2. Microcredentials and Certificates: The Nature Explorers with Technology (NEWTs) is a nature exploration and science program for teens aged 15-19.  This program is run jointly by the Thunder Bay Field Naturalist (TBFN) club and the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies at Lakehead University.

The Ontario Master Naturalist Program (OMNP), is a community program established by Lakehead University Orillia in partnership with Ontario Nature. The first of its kind in Canada, the OMNP provides naturalists and those interested in nature and environmental stewardship the opportunity to receive a Master Naturalist certificate. Plants, insects, reptiles, birds, geology, and wetlands are just a few of the topics that participants explore during the program.

3. Claude Garton Herbarium (LKHD): The Claude Garton Herbarium (LKHD) has developed a collaboration with iNaturalist to leverage citizen science to expand our collective botanical knowledge of Northwestern Ontario. The herbarium offers workshops on the program and assists in teaching plant identification skills.
4. Aki Kikinomakaywin Camp: In collaboration with Confederation College, Lakehead University hosts the Aki Kikinomakaywin camp (meaning learning on the land), a week-long educational program that provides Indigenous youth with hands-on training in science, technology, engineering arts and mathematics.  This initiative emphasizes the deep cultural connection to land including biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

Lakehead University is engaged in offering educational programs and outreach initiatives to local communities on sustainable management of land for agriculture.  These efforts align with our commitment to promoting environmentally responsible practices and supporting the well-being of our broader community.  This includes free and paid opportunities through academic programs, workshops and community partnerships.

1. Academic Programs: Lakehead University offers various programs that integrate theoretical and applied perspectives on sustainable management of land for agriculture including Biology, Chemical Engineering, Geography and the Environment, Geology, Indigenous Learning, Natural Resource Management, Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and Sustainability Sciences.
2. Community Outreach through Research Centres: The Lake Superior Living Labs Network, hosted at Lakehead University, partners with local organizations to offer educational outreach to the community for seed saving, short-season gardening and agriculture, including partnering with the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station (LUARS) on an Agroecology and Seed Security project which aims to increase access to ecological seed varieties adapted to Northern Ontario’s agro-ecosystems through participatory, farmer-led research. This project was free for farmers to participate in. LUARS is committed to the establishment, operation, promotion, and transfer of agricultural research for the further development and diversification of the agricultural industry through small-plot research and extension. It conducts outreach on sustainable agriculture, including research into different crops to discern better rotation for fields, better ways to control weeds, disease, and pests, and improve crop yields.

Lakehead University is engaged in offering educational programs and outreach initiatives to local communities on sustainable management of land for tourism.  These efforts align with our commitment to promoting environmentally responsible practices and supporting the well-being of our broader community.  This includes free and paid opportunities through academic programs, workshops and community partnerships.

1. Academic Programs: Lakehead University offers an undergraduate degree in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, this program integrates theoretical and applied perspectives that cover a breadth of subject areas including leadership, nature-based tourism and sustainable land management.  Our programs including Biology, Chemical Engineering, Geography and the Environment, Geology, Indigenous Learning, Natural Resource Management and Sustainability Sciences also cover topics related to sustainable management of land for tourism.
2. Microcredentials:  Lakehead University also offers a paid microcredential program known as the Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (OPTIS) / Northern Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (NOPTIS) to foster growth in the tourism industry.
3. Community Outreach in Research: Lakehead University is actively engaged in promoting sustainable land management for tourism through research conducted by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism.  This department collaborates with communities and various organizations to foster sustainable practices. For example, Dr. Harvey Lemelin leads initiatives to build capacity for wildlife management, parks management and rural Indigenous tourism.  His work has also focusing on the tourism potential of trails, parks and protected areas in the region.  Through these efforts, we aim to enhance community engagement and promote responsible tourism that benefits both people and the environment.

Lakehead University has established policies and practices to ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems associated with the university including forests, mountains and drylands.

Our commitment is evident through Lakehead University’s Sustainable Building Policy and Sustainability Plan.  These documents underpin our dedication to protecting, conserving and enhancing the region’s environmental resources while also maintaining the quality of the environment and bolstering natural ecosystems.

Guided by the principles of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating system and the Sustainability Plan, Lakehead University has been actively engaged in conserving and resourcing local natural ecosystems across our campuses.  Our initiatives and sustainable practices include: the use of bioswales on the Orillia campus, native plantings and adaptive and drought-tolerant species to minimize the need for supplemental watering, a green roof to control stormwater runoff, bioretention area stormwater management landscaping, rain garden, and outdoor classroom designed to showcase various native plants and ecosystems.

These policies, plans and practices are in place to demonstrate our commitment to environmental stewardship and the preservation of natural landscapes. 

Lakehead University recognizes that Northern Ontario and Simcoe County are home to many threatened species, and it’s crucial to take proactive steps to address the factors that jeopardize their habitats and existence.  Lakehead University is in the preliminary planning stages to identify, monitor and safeguard the well-being of IUCN Red Listed species and national conservation list species residing in areas affected by the university’s operations.

Lakehead University's Sustainability Plan commits to creating a landscape management plan, and biodiversity management strategy designed to identify vulnerable ecosystems and species on campus and prevent, manage, and/or remediate damage to natural habitats and sensitive natural areas. 

The Office of Sustainability has taken tangible steps to reinforce these commitments.  Several projects have been implemented to create habitats for pollinators, including the development of a rain garden and outdoor classroom.  These spaces have already witnessed a significant increase in pollinator activity, including the monarch butterfly, which is recognized as a species of special concern under the Ontario Endangered Species Act. These projects are not only contributing to the conservation of vital species but also serve as educational tools to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our natural environment.

Lakehead researchers are also engaged in research in this field. Dr. Adam Algar has worked with an international team of researchers to develop an innovative tool for quantifying the vulnerability of species communities.  This tool equips decision-makers with valuable insights to identify management priorities and guide protection efforts where they are most urgently needed.

Dr. Julie Rosenthal, Associate Professor in the Department of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism has served on the Committee on the Status of Status of Species at Risk in Ontario. Nationally, Dr. Rosenthal has also led research on the impact of recreational activities on species at risk in Canada.  Her findings on this initiative can be found here.

Lakehead’s approach to date has encompassed commitment and action in our Sustainability Plan, hands-on projects and groundbreaking research that contribute to the preservation of at-risk species.  Lakehead continues to explore opportunities to advance this work.

Lakehead University’s campus ecosystems not only supports a variety of plant and animal species but also provides valuable ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification and climate regulation. Integrating biodiversity considerations into planning helps maintain a balanced environment that benefits both the university community and the surrounding ecosystems.

The university ensures that all development aligns with the Sustainable Building Policy and is committed to safeguarding local biodiversity including the protection of environmental quality, conservation of water, and the protection of land and water environments.  

Lakehead University has adapted the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating system in all building construction and renovations.  The LEED rating system encourages biodiversity in planning and development through sustainable site selection to minimize disruption to local ecosystems, sustainable landscaping practices, stormwater management and innovation credits for habitat restoration.  The Sustainability Plan also includes commitments to create a plan and biodiversity strategy to identify vulnerable ecosystems and species on campus and prevent, manage, and/or remediate damage to natural habitats and sensitive natural areas.  

Our approach to include local biodiversity is evident in several planning and development projects such as the implementation of bioswales on the Orillia campus, the cultivation of native plantings, and the use of adaptive and drought-tolerant species to minimize the need for supplemental watering. We have also integrated eco-friendly features like green roofs to manage stormwater runoff, bioretention areas for stormwater management landscaping, rain gardens, and outdoor classrooms that showcase a diverse array of native plants and ecosystems.

1. Compliance: Lakehead adheres to all relevant environmental regulations and guidelines related to the management of invasive species including those established by local and federal authorities.
2. Prevention and Early Detection: Lakehead University’s Sustainability Plan commits to creating a landscape management plan, and biodiversity management strategy designed to identify vulnerable ecosystems and species on campus and prevent, manage, and/or remediate damage to natural habitats and sensitive areas. The landscape management plan will include identifying alien species on campus and their impact on vulnerable species, as well as strategies to mitigate their impact.

3. Education and Awareness: Lakehead Orillia's Ontario Youth Naturalist Program run by the University's Office of Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning has been partnered with the Invasive Species Centre to educate students on invasive species propagation, management, and eradication methods, and to motivate them to get involved as community scientists and environmental activists. The Claude Garton Herbarium located at Lakehead University monitors and collects information on over 100,000 species in Northwestern Ontario, and in national and global boreal ecosystems. By analyzing specimens researchers can identify the introduction and establishment of alien species within the campuses.

To ensure the preservation of shared land ecosystems, Lakehead University actively engages in collaborative efforts with the local community.  These ecosystems serve as valuable hubs of biodiversity, offering opportunities for scientific exploration, experiential learning and a deeper connection to nature.  Examples of current initiatives and projects are found below.

The Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station is committed to the establishment, operation, promotion, and transfer of agricultural research. Through small plot research and extension, as well as community-based agricultural research, the station contributes to the development and diversification of the agricultural industry.

The Faculty of Natural Resources Management administers and manages the Legacy Forest research site in collaboration with Resolute Forest Products, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, & Ontario Parks. The Legacy Forest examines the impacts of intensive forest management.

The Lakehead University Department of Forestry is actively engaged in maintaining the Greenwood Lake Conservation Reserve in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.  This collaboration aims to better understand the conditions of white pines within Ontario forests, contributing to future conservation and regeneration efforts within the reserve.

Lakehead University researchers are also actively collaborating with community partnerships and organizations such as the Lakehead Regional Conservation Authority, EcoSuperior, Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada, Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority and others to maintain shared land ecosystems and biodiversity within the communities we serve.

The university’s water quality framework comprises of several crucial components:

1. Hazardous Waste Disposal Standard: Lakehead University’s procedures for the disposal of hazardous waste to safeguard staff, students, the general public, property and the environment.
2. Spill Reporting and Response: The Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and the Ontario Regulation 675/98 require immediate reporting of spills, including hazardous materials, to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ Spills Action Centre. This allows for a rapid response to mitigate and clean up pollution incidents.
3. Emergency Response Plans: Lakehead University maintains comprehensive emergency response plans, enabling a rapid and effective response of accidental spills or incidents.
4. Environmental Assessment: Proposed developments and activities that may affect water quality are subject to environmental assessment processes to assess potential impacts and mitigation measures.

Both provincial and federal legislation govern water quantity and quality, encompassing various aspects of water protection including environmental compliance, spills management, source water protection, safe municipal water drinking systems, conservation efforts, guidelines for land use developments, wetland habitat preservation, transportation of hazardous materials, joint commissions for Canada-US border waters, marine pollution prevention, and public awareness and education initiatives. 

These measures collectively work to prevent polluted water from entering water systems and to respond promptly to pollution incidents to minimize environmental and public health risks. 

Additional Resources:

Lakehead University has implemented comprehensive measures, protocols and training to ensure the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials. 

Lakehead University has established a Hazardous Waste Disposal Standard and a Waste Disposal Policy which outlines procedures pertaining to the disposal of hazardous waste on campus.  These wastes are a by-product of maintenance, research, and teaching activities at Lakehead University and require proper management to safeguard staff, students, the general public, property and the surrounding ecosystems.

Lakehead University also has a Biosafety Committee with representation from faculty, technical staff, administration and the broader community which oversees biosafety programming on Lakehead University's campuses. 

Faculty and staff working with hazardous materials at Lakehead University are required to familiarize themselves with the following policies, procedures and guidelines found here.