Goal 15: Life on Land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss
Research
The Biogeoscience Institute
This research institute offers researchers two field stations: the Barrier Lake Station, located in the Kananaskis Valley, and the R.B. Miller Station, located in Sheep River Provincial Park. These stations engage in extensive research on animal ecology and wildlife conservation biology, vegetation dynamics and forestry, ecosystem sustainability and environmental economics, and human, domestic animal and wildlife disease interactions. This institute hosts not only UCalgary academic courses, but also courses from the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, SAIT and Wilfred Laurier. Learn more.
Environmental Processes and Natural Resources Research Group
This research group studies our natural environment and its resources, with strengths in spatial analysis and habitat modelling. Faculty members and graduate students have contributed to research projects that identify and manage habitat for a variety of wildlife species, and restore specialized habitats. Projects include satellite-based forest monitoring and landcover mapping, landscape ecology, wildfire impacts and the conservation of sensitive species. Learn more.
Teaching, Learning and Student Experience
Land-Based Learning Experiences
Annually, the Werklund School of Education offers optional land-based experiences to Bachelor of Education students in Indigenous Education. Accompanied by instructors and guided by a Kainai Elder, students hike, visit sacred sites and learn about Indigenous and land-based education. Students experience Indigenous knowledge systems and imagine a sustainable shared future together. Learn more.
Importance of Animals in Indigenous Culture
As part of new co-learning partnership between the Stoney Nakoda First Nation and UCalgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM), vet students visited a school in the Morley community to discuss animal health. The initiative fosters a relationship with the community and allows for two-way learning; Morley students learn about veterinary science and UCVM participants learn about Stoney Nakoda culture and their perspective around animal health. Learn more.
Canadian Mountain Network
UCalgary is a member of the Canadian Mountain Network which supports the protection of Canada’s extensive mountain systems and their people through Indigenous and Western ways of knowing that inform decision-making and action. These areas provide a wide range of benefits to Canadians such as fresh water, biodiversity/biocultural diversity, natural resources, energy, shelter and recreation, as well as cultural and spiritual connection and healing.
Campus and Community Impact
Campus
Through Bee City Canada, UCalgary secured a Bee Campus designation in early 2020. This designation highlights the Department of Biological Sciences’ ongoing research contributions to understand bees and other beneficial insects that support agricultural and urban landscapes. UCalgary also has one of the largest physical bee collections in Canada, with over 100,000 specimens in a digital archive. Also, pollinator habitat programming is provided through the Sustainability Resource Centre, offering resources and tools to get involved.
Local
The Biogeoscience Institute’s Community Outreach Programs connect science, research and education with the public, and cultivates relationships between naturalists and researchers. These programs are open to campus and Calgary community members. They also offer Field Study Programmes for grades 7-12 students that highlight the many ecosystems found in our mountain environment.
International
Faculty members from UCalgary's Department of Biological Sciences work collaboratively with the Calgary Zoo’s Centre for Conservation Research (CCR). The CCR works globally to help endangered animals once again thrive in the wild. They focus on species recovery and are recognized as a North American leader in the science of species reintroduction. Working with governments, non-profit organizations, specialists, industry and communities, our researchers conduct ground-breaking scientific research.