Laurentian University, Canada

Laurentian’s Green Leaf of Hope

Since 2023, Laurentian University’s Environmental Sustainability Committee has helped students learn what it means to be Nature Positive through the Green Leaf of Hope initiative. At convocation, students have the opportunity to pledge to “work on their relationship with nature” and as a symbol of this pledge, students are given a Nature Positive Green Leaf of Hope pin to wear on their gowns. To champion this commitment, Doctor Jane Goodall became the first to wear this pin and has been a symbol of hope in our world much like the graduates from Laurentian University.

The successful implementation of the Green Leaf of Hope campaign was an important way to raise awareness of the Nature Positive University Alliance while providing graduating students with a meaningful gift to symbolize the importance of working on their relationship with nature. After only one year of action, over 1000 graduating students have taken the pledge to work on their relationship with nature with ongoing presence at convocation ceremonies this upcoming spring and fall.

We are looking forward to continuing this initiative at future convocation ceremonies and hope that all graduates of Laurentian University work to become strong stewards of the environment.

Top 3 Learnings

1. We learned the importance of student led initiatives.
2. We learned how to work collaboratively with other departments within our University.
3. We learned how to improve our personal relationships with nature.