Trent University
MyTrent
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Trent Online
    • Summer Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Timetable
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Academic Advising
    • Library
    • Centre for Teaching and Learning
  • Admissions
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Services & Support
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Administrative Departments
    • Alumni Services
    • Athletics
    • Campus Security
    • Careerspace
    • Colleges
    • Communications
    • Conferences
    • Financial Aid
    • Financial Services
    • Health & Wellness
    • Indigenous Services
    • Information Technology
    • International Students
    • Learning Support
    • Parking
    • Printshop
    • Recruitment
    • Registrar's Office
    • Residence & Housing
    • Student Clubs
    • TrentU Card
  • Research
    • Research at Trent
    • Research Centres
    • Find an Expert
    • Resources
  • Give to Trent
  • About Trent
    • About Trent
    • Careers
    • Giving to Trent
    • Governance
    • How to Find Us
    • Media
    • News & Events
    • President's Office
    • Staff Directory
    • Trent Facts
    • Contact Us
  • Campus Locations
    • Peterborough
    • Durham GTA
    • Online
  • Future Students
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Trent Forward: COVID-19 Info
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Map
  • Careers
  • Directions
  • Library
  • Site Map
  • Bookstore
Skip to main content Home
  • Peterborough
  • Durham GTA
  • Online
  • MyTrent
MENU
Trent University
News and Events
  • Latest News
  • Trent Experts
  • For Media
  • For Faculty and Staff
  • Publications
  • Contact Us
  1. Trentu.ca
  2. News and Events

Healthier Ecosystems and Hands-on Learning Advanced at Trent University with $350,000 TD Bank Group Grant

November 2, 2021
Share This Story

Funding will enhance natural spaces and wildlife habitats in the 868-acre University Green Network on Trent’s Symons Campus

Students engage in hands-on learning in Trent University’s nature areas.
Students engage in hands-on learning in Trent University’s nature areas.

Trent University has received $350,000 from TD Bank Group (TD) to implement environmental enhancement projects in the new University Green Network (UGN), a key component of the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan, which features a commitment to maintain 60 per cent of the Symons Campus in Peterborough as nature areas and green space.

“The Trent Symons Campus Lands are a precious asset, rich in natural and cultural heritage, vital to the resilience of Trent and our communities,” says Jennifer Clinesmith, director of Campus Planning & Development at Trent University. “We are thankful that this generous grant supports our plan to be an active caretaker for a valuable ecosystem, while prioritizing teaching and research on the land and encouraging all to appreciate and engage with nature. Our goal is to demonstrate best practices taught in the classroom through active stewardship of our beautiful natural environment.”

The University Green Network prioritizes engaging students in hands-on learning as well as collaborations with   with Michi Saagiig First Nations and a variety of local community organizations.

The grant, given over three years, will help advance environmental stewardship of the UGN – a large and connected 868-acre system on Trent’s Peterborough campus that includes diverse habitats, wildlife corridors, productive landscapes and diverse green spaces that support ecological function and biodiversity. Stewardship efforts will be guided by the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan, which was approved earlier this year.

The grant will help fund an ecologist to lead creation of the UGN Systems-Level Plan – a best practice planning approach to take a landscape-level view and identify composition and relative representation of habitat types across the UGN. The plan will identify priorities for restoration and enhancement of the natural environment, as well as innovative and actionable opportunities to bring ecologically regenerative elements into the campus. Implementing the System-Level Plan recommendations will involve students, Michi Saagiig First Nations, and organizations including Camp Kawartha and Peterborough Green-Up.

Expected actions include creating a meadowland bird habitat, removing invasive species, creating nesting mounds for Blanding's turtles (a species at risk) and creating new natural spaces within the campus.

Educational signage, featuring western and Indigenous knowledge about flora and fauna, will be installed alongside trails and walkways. Interpretive signage will also be installed throughout the UGN to support learning about natural features, including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge about species of interest and concern to Indigenous peoples.

"At TD, we believe that creating a vibrant planet and healthy environment is foundational to feeling confident about our collective futures,” says Carolyn Scotchmer, executive director of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. "That’s why we are dedicated to developing, enhancing and protecting natural spaces across Canada including the Trent University campus lands. These enhancement projects will help create environmental benefits for the local Trent community, as well as health and social benefits."

Trent’s new ecologist will liaise with the Nature Areas Stewardship Advisory Committee, School of the Environment faculty, Indigenous Environmental Studies and Biology departments, and a variety of Master’s programs to embed the UGN Stewardship Plan actions into coursework. The ecologist will also liaise with local First Nations to engage Indigenous youth in the work.

“For the past three years, Elders, Knowledge Holders and Consultation Liaisons from Curve Lake have participated in the creation of the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan,” says Chief Emily Whetung of Curve Lake First Nation. “Through this ongoing engagement, we have ensured that Indigenous Traditional Knowledge has an active role in guiding the relationship the University has with the land. This ongoing collaboration presents an opportunity to showcase the positive relationship between public institutions and First Nations."

About the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan

Approved by the Board of Governors in February 2021, the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan was a three-year endeavour that culminated in a framework for the evolution of the Symons Campus. The Plan advances the University's mission as a learning institution, steward of the natural environment, and community anchor. The Plan includes guiding principles, inspirations from around the world, and emerging best practices to achieve an inspiring vision to demonstrate leadership in environmental education and stewardship, and respect for Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. It commits the University to maintain 60% of its lands as Nature Areas and green space and to ensure new buildings meet high environmental standards. Trent’s Symons Campus represents a substantial portion of the City of Peterborough’s woodlands and wetlands, and many enjoy trails and wildlife in its 11 nature areas. The Plan introduces a University Green Network to connect these Nature Areas and greenspaces across the campus and provide a robust network of rich and biodiverse natural features. Access the Trent Land and Nature Areas Plan at trentu.ca/trentlandsplan.  

About Trent University

One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.

Cara Walsh, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6240 or carawalsh@trentu.ca.

Find other stories about: Trent Lands Plan, Indigenous, Environment, Biology, Experiential Learning

Share This Story

You Might Also Like

Image of Serena Karevich smiling in bata library.

Empowering Leaders in Marginalized Communities

Dr. Aaron Shafer holding two shrews

The Fast and Furiously Informative Life of a Shrew

From left to right: Michael Khan, Provost & Vice President Academic. Aidan McLaughlin, Arthur Cup recipient. Leslie Spooner, Interim Director Athletics and Recreation.

Trent University Student-Athletes Honoured at Annual Excalibur Athletics Awards Banquet

Trent University logo
Challenge the Way You Think

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

Peterborough

1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, ON Canada, K9L 0G2

Toll Free: 1-855-MY-TRENT

Campus Map

Durham Greater Toronto Area

55 Thornton Road South
Oshawa, ON Canada, L1J 5Y1

Phone: 905-435-5100

Campus Map

Social Media Directory
  • Contact
  • Directions
  • Site Map
  • Accessibility
  • @ Copyright 2023 Trent University