By Alex Huls September 5, 2025

For the second consecutive year, World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) has recognized York with its Living Campus certification, highlighting the University’s ongoing commitment to environmental leadership and sustainability.

The Living Campus designation celebrates post-secondary institutions for their leadership in conservation and environmental stewardship, while encouraging community involvement through education and action.

“Being designated a WWF Living Campus is a testament to York University’s deep commitment to conservation, community engagement and creating lasting environmental impact. Our partnership with WWF-Canada empowers students to become sustainability leaders and inspires collective action for a healthier planet,” says Nicole Arsenault, director in the Office of Sustainability.

York’s renewed certification reflects its sustained efforts to enhance sustainability across its campuses since first receiving the recognition last year.

Among those efforts is the ongoing development of campus-wide renaturalization and ecological regeneration plans that emphasize Indigenous plant species. These projects support local habitats and biodiversity while creating accessible and educational green spaces.

Facilities Services has played a central role, implementing pollinator habitats and strategies to promote ecosystem diversity, revitalizing the historic fruit orchard at Stong House and planting more than 578 native plants and 238 native trees across the Keele and Glendon campuses.

“Our grounds team is proud to be committed to ensuring York’s campuses contribute meaningfully to addressing today’s environmental challenges,” says Stewart Dankner, director of property management with Facilities Services. “Through our stewardship, we’re creating sustainable, welcoming spaces that support both the community and the broader environment.”

Facilities Services has also collaborated with the Maloca Gardens team, Regenesis, the Centre for Bee Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, and the Biodiversity Working Group to advance visible, accessible biodiversity initiatives focused on student well-being, community engagement and food sustainability.

These efforts, and the renewed Living Campus designation, also support York University’s sustainability strategy, Positive Change: Connecting People, Planet and Purpose, launched in 2024, which builds on the University’s record as an international leader in sustainability research, teaching, partnerships and campus practices.

York has tracked its progress in its most recent Sustainable Development Goals Report which highlights an 82 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from investments and the protection of more than 785 acres of greenspace.

Students are invited to take part in WWF-Canada’s Living Planet Leader certification program, which helps develop sustainability knowledge and skills to make an impact both at York and in communities.

For more information or to register, visit the Office of Sustainability website.