The Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change provides reach ahead resources and hands-on skill building to support and foster environmental, sustainability, and social justice education for the next generation. With our increasingly interconnected world and booming population, the need for active citizenship and environmental stewardship has never been greater. From wetland conservation and planning sustainable cities to pushing for social justice and bringing about corporate social responsibility, the resources we offer in EUC will complement your EcoSchool’s EcoMandate and assist in your planning for Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) activities.
Enhancing Environmental Education
We are dedicated to inspiring environmental change and social justice in your school. To assist you in enhancing environmental education in your classrooms, we offer a series of dynamic programs that will engage your students beyond the textbook. Whether you need an activity for your Eco-Schools’ conference, Eco-Fair, or to support your classroom curriculum, our programs can assist you in creating a dynamic learning opportunity.
Change Your World
The Change Your World conference aims to inspire youth in Ontario to be the next generation of environmentally and socially active citizens. We welcome high school students and their teachers to this dynamic one-day conference that brings together youth and community organizations from across the province to discuss, collaborate and learn how to make sustainable and equitable change.
30+ High schools across Ontario
20+ Alumni & Community Organizations
30+ Hands on Workshops
SHSM Career Exploration/Reach Ahead
EcoSchool Curriculum
Grades 10-12
We are currently planning how to offer our Change Your World conference in a new virtual format.
Sign up now to reserve a spot for your school, class or student clubs
Virtual Lectures
Whether you’re teaching Regional Geography, Canadian and World Issues, Environmental Science, Resource Management, Equity and Social Justice, World Geography or covering relatable subjects in your curriculum, our virtual lectures by our professors will add something new. Learn about environmental, geographic, and social justice topics, inspire future interests, and meet SHSM and EcoSchool requirements.
Offered September-April
Free
SHSM Career Exploration
Reach Ahead
EcoSchool Curriculum
Grades 10-12
Workshop and Seminar Series
Looking to add a guest speaker to your classroom or eco-conference? We have developed a series of seminars geared toward inspiring your students to consider post-secondary opportunities in environmental and urban change, learn more about careers in environment, sustainability, and justice, and discover our very own EcoCampus in Costa Rica.
Offered September-May
Free
SHSM Career Exploration
Reach Ahead
EcoSchool Curriculum
Grades 10-12
Workshop and Seminar Series - The Programs
Welcome to Environmental & Urban Change
Introducing YorkU’s newest Faculty: The Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. Join with us to learn about our program offerings in the Environment and Geography and how you can become a changemaker.
Listening to the Land: An Introduction to Environmental Justice and Storytelling
Join the Indigenous Environmental Justice (IEJ) Project, led by Canadian Research Chair, Deborah McGregor, to explore stories on the land. How can Indigenous storytelling point to justice and environmental issues? How can Indigenous and non-Indigenous people move toward reconciliation through storytelling? What story can you tell?
Careers in the Environment
The Ecoboom has opened doors for professionals interested in studying the environment and sustainability outside traditional conservation roles. Explore market trends, career pathways, and next steps for environmental careers in fields such as business, science, and government.
Careers in Geography
What can you do with a degree in Geography? Discover how studies in Geography prepare you for job opportunities in law, science, technology and more exploring trends and career pathways.”
Discover our Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica
Take your students on a journey through the cultural and ecological beauty of the Las Nubes Biological Reserve, home to York University’s EcoCampus. Learn about species identification, Indigenous ways of knowing and community development in the Costa Rican rainforest.
Exhibitor at Your School Fair
Are you planning a virtual conference, an Eco-Fair or a career fair at your school? Invite Environmental and Urban Change to run a table in your conference’s marketplace to highlight York University’s Environmental and Geography programs or career pathways.
Request a Virtual In-Class Workshop
Experience Las Nubes at the York University EcoCampus: Bring Your Class to Costa Rica
The Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change offers a 10-day program for high school students at our EcoCampus and other locations in Southern Costa Rica. This field course is rich in experiences that range from food production, forest ecosystems, Indigenous issues, Costa Rican history, rural culture and biodiversity conservation. The program has an immersive community-based approach, which builds on our long-standing relationships with different communities in Southern Costa Rica, including local producers, cooperatives, environmental groups and organizations and Indigenous communities, among others.
Registering in this program is a 2 month process (e.g. if you are planning a trip for March Break, you should start the process in January) and it’s offered throughout the year.
This program is dependent on public health guidelines and restrictions. Programming likely to continue in Fall 2021.
EUC Shadow Program for Future Students
Do you have a great student who is passionate about environmental, geographical, and social change? Foster their love of the environment by encouraging them to take part in our EUC Shadow Program for Future Students
Offered Monday to Friday
Free
SHSM Career Exploration/Reach Ahead
What Can Students Do?
- Sit in on an online first or second year Environmental and Urban Change course
- Meet with a current student
- Chat with an Admissions Representative
Interested in attending an EUC Shadow day, please email us at EUCApply@yorku.ca
Please note: This program will begin in Winter 2021
Professional Development for Teachers
We hear to support environmental education and that includes professional development for you! Book one of our workshops below for your next professional development day or sign up for one training sessions.
Earth to Table Legacies
Are you looking for online resources to engage students in discussing critical issues such as food justice and anti-racism, Indigenous history and worldviews, and eating animals? The Earth to Tables Legacies educational package offers teachers and activists 10 videos and 11 photo essays based on intergenerational and intercultural conversations, using food as an entry to these social issues and more. A visually enticing website includes a teacher's guide for each video and photo essay, with questions, activities, commentaries, and resources for further research and action.
Advanced Teacher Training Certificate Courses with York U and EcoSource
EcoSource and YorkU are partnering together for this year’s Advanced Teacher training program. Join us for live, interactive online learning sessions for educators led by EcoSource, YorkU professors, and other guest speakers. The Approaches to Sustainability Education Teacher Certification Program provides the tools to empower elementary and secondary school teachers to implement sustainability education and active citizenship in their school communities.
High School Outreach in Environmental and Urban Change
Discover the many high school outreach offerings of the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. Perfect for guidance counsellor days or teacher conferences, this seminar covers the programming offered by the Faculty and how we can support you in your classroom.