UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
SENS honours student leadership and action in sustainability

The University of Saskatchewan (USask)'s School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024/25 Certificate in Sustainability Awards, which highlight the outstanding work of undergraduate students committed to making a positive impact in their communities.

Members of the DEDicated to Elms group at the 2025 Sustainability Fair hosted by students in ENVS 401 and EVSC 485. (Photo: Submitted)

Each year, students enrolled in the ENVS 401: Sustainability in Action capstone course apply their knowledge to real-world issues, collaborating with peers and community partners to create meaningful change. These projects reflect the core values of the certificate program: creativity, leadership and a commitment to sustainability that extends beyond the classroom.

"We continue to be impressed by the passion and creativity that students bring to their projects each year," said Dr. Colin Whitfield (PhD), associate professor, SENS. "This year's cohort demonstrated an incredible ability to connect sustainability theory with real action that challenged their learning and individual processes."

Olita Elia is this year's recipient of the Certificate in Sustainability Excellence Award, presented annually to a student who demonstrates outstanding leadership, initiative and engagement in both academic and community sustainability efforts.

As a leader of the DEDicated to Elms team, Olita helped to spearhead a project focused on raising awareness of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) in Saskatoon. Inspired by her work with SOS Trees, Olita took charge from the first day of class to build a team that would not only explore ways to raise awareness of DED but also educate the public about what the disease is and what they can do to stop the spread.

Throughout the semester, Olita took on a key leadership role by coordinating team check-ins, acting as spokesperson and guiding the development of outreach materials and community engagement.

Her commitment extended beyond the classroom as Olita has volunteered with several organizations in Saskatoon in recent years, bringing her lived experience and cultural background into the work, all while emphasizing the importance of reciprocity, intergenerational knowledge and Indigenous ways of knowing in long-term sustainability efforts.

The DEDicated to Elms team developed a website, interactive displays, custom maps, letters to the City's Environmental Advisory Committee and physical specimens of infected trees and beetles to highlight the ecological and financial risks posed by Dutch elm disease.

This year's Outstanding Sustainability in Action Project Award is presented to the DEDicated to Elms team for their collaborative work addressing Dutch Elm Disease in Saskatoon.

Over the 13-week capstone course, the team created an engaging and accessible public awareness campaign to highlight the ecological and financial risks posed by DED. Their work included interactive displays, custom maps illustrating local elm tree distribution in the City, and physical specimens of infected trees and beetles. They connected with hundreds of people through events such as the Sustainability in Action Tradeshow and Gardenscape, a major annual exhibition in Saskatoon.

Their message was clear. Saskatoon's urban forest, which was valued at $530 million in 2020, is at risk, with elm trees making up 25% of the city's canopy. And while work has been done to educate the public about the threat posed by DED, the number of cases continues to increase.

Just last year, there were 11 reported cases, up from four the year before.

"So, you see, it really has the potential to spiral out of control," said one team member. "A lot of people that we talked to throughout the semester had never heard about DED, let alone knew how to identify it or how to stop it spreading throughout Saskatoon."

The team also developed a website, prepared letters to the City's Environmental Advisory Committee, and shared their work with City Council, where it was acknowledged at a meeting in March 2025, and referenced in city planning for future responses to DED as part of the elmwood disposal initiative next steps document. The group also partnered with SOS Trees for Arbour Week events and an upcoming tree-planting initiative.

"We wanted to use this short window of time to build advocacy and equip people with the tools to recognize and respond to DED," said one team member. "It's not just about losing trees. It's about protecting the health, beauty and resilience of our city's environment."

By combining research, advocacy, and public engagement, the DEDicated to Elms team exemplifies what it means to put sustainability into action.