Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology, Canada

Our Forest: A Living Lab for All

For the second consecutive year, Canadore College was selected by Colleges and Institutes Canada as one of ten national demonstration sites for campus living labs.

Our project focused on the 460 acres of forested land at our College Drive Campus and, using a boots-on-the ground approach, sought to conduct a forest inventory, data collection, and mapping on forest health, structure, and composition to create a 10-year forest management plan to obtain FSC (Forest Council Stewardship) certification.

The project also sought to measure sequestration rates while engaging employees, students, and community members throughout the process to gain valuable input and spread awareness about the importance of protecting nature.

Top 3 Learnings

1. Nature gives us so much; let’s protect it.
2. The forest can be many positive things to many people; all are meaningful.
3. Prioritize an Indigenous view of sustainability that views nature as a relative, not a resource.