UNIVERSITY OF THE FRASER VALLEY
Spring into action with March for Sustainability

Every March at UFV, you'll find collaborative events springing up all over campus related to climate change, biodiversity, EDI, gender equality, and more. Multiple departments across the university come together for March for Sustainability to provide fun, educational activities aligning with the United Nations' sustainable development goals and the five "P's" of sustainable development: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.  

"The intention is to look for solutions," explains Doran Hoge, UFV's director of energy and environmental sustainability. "When we talk about some of the sustainability challenges that we're facing in the world today, we often talk about all the doom and gloom and the heavy stuff. Each of the March for Sustainability events is really focused on the positivity: looking at a better future, looking at solutions for that better future and doing it in a way that's promoting Indigenization, promoting equality, EDI, all these themes that the university is committed to. This is a public-facing manifestation of UFV's commitment to sustainability." 

For Alec Zinman, sustainability programming assistant, that positivity is part of what makes these month-long events so special. 

"Open mic night and Queeraoke are a big highlight. Hearing people come up to the stage and speak their truths is always so empowering, and then we end it off with people having fun, being silly, singing songs. We highlight the fun that can be had throughout all this. These aren't just seminars or conference talks, we get to play board games. We get to sing karaoke, go to the cedar weaving workshop. By integrating that fun into this work, it builds that connection with the community."

March for Sustainability begins on Monday, March 2 with an immersive learning experience called Beyond Blankets: A Stó lō Lands Exercise initiated by Grand Chief Clarence "Kat" Pennier and Dr. Keith Carlson of the UFV Peace and Reconciliation Centre. The interactive experience will take participants through key moments in Stó lō history, including life before first contact, the impact of smallpox, colonialism, and Stó lō resurgence. It takes place from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in room A421 at the Abbotsford campus.  

On Monday, March 9 from 12-2 pm, the Wild(erness) Women event will bring professionals from the Fraser Valley Search and Rescue groups, Women in the Wild, and BC AdventureSmart, who explore the great outdoors and give their time and expertise to empower other women to get into nature. Attendees will take part in an interactive workshop to prepare for adventures in nature. To sign up and learn more about this event, click here.  

 Simple Meals and Shared Connections takes place on Monday, March 16 from 4-6 pm. This event will be a hands-on cooking class for students using ingredients commonly provided by the UFV Food Bank. Each participant receives a food basket (including spices), and will be entered into a draw for Save-On Foods gift cards. Register here to secure your spot.

March for Sustainability provides an opportunity for the public and the entire UFV community to come together around a shared goal and make connections. And those connections are vital for students, those may be networking opportunities that lead them to the next stage of their career. Through a gardening workshop, a hackathon, or an eco-anxiety student connection group, these events remind us that a better future is possible, and we're surrounded by community that will help us work toward it.  

"We can't do this work alone. We are living in very challenging times globally, locally and nationally and it is really easy to fall into this kind of despair," says UFV sustainability manager Jennifer Martel.

"What really helps me through these challenging times is hope.  Seeing the number and variety of people from all different backgrounds, passions, and fields of study and work who come out to these events shows me I'm not alone in this that there are so many people who care. People need to find that connection, that community to remind themselves that they're not alone in how they're feeling. They're not alone in wanting more and wanting better.

"We all are impacted by sustainability or lack thereof; but it also means we all can have an impact on sustainability. I leave every March fulfilled, empowered, and so, so hopeful." 

Whether you're interested in science, sustainable fashion, film, or fermenting your own vegetables, March for Sustainability has an event for you. Visit the website to find more information.