When it comes to learning about nature — and turning your passion for it into a career — an hour outside is worth many hours of indoor study, explains Narcisse Hassan, an ecology student at Concordia University.

New trees on Concordia’s Loyola Campus © Concordia University

“Often in sciences, we focus on what happens in class and what happens in the book, but the real learning is the application of knowledge, and that happens outside the classroom.”

Narcisse is one of the students benefitting from Concordia earning its 2025 WWF-Canada Living Campus certification, which recognizes post-secondary institutions for outstanding commitment to conservation and the environment.

As part of meeting the requirements, the university planted 1,700 trees and shrubs on its Loyola campus. This increased the diversity of vegetation on the property, boosted the proportion of native species from 55 per cent to 76 per cent, and expanded habitat to support more birds, mammals, insects and other wildlife.

But plants and animals aren’t the only ones who will gain — the new “micro-forests” are being used for field research by students like Narcisse and for recreation by the surrounding Montreal community.

“If you plant more than 1000 trees, you’re going to get so many bugs and birds,” Narcisse says, “and that’s really exciting, especially because we’re in an urban environment.”

Concordia was one of seven post-secondary institutions to earn the WWF-Canada certification in 2025. That list includes Vanier College, also in Montreal; Carleton University in Ottawa; York University and Seneca Polytechnic in the GTA; Niagara College’s campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario; and University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario.

These campuses implemented a range of conservation and engagement activities throughout the 2024 — 2025 academic year to successfully meet the rigorous certification criteria.

Tree planting event © York University

These requirements included creating, restoring or stewarding habitat for wildlife on campus; raising awareness of biodiversity and conservation issues; and supporting students in pursuing WWF-Canada’s Living Planet Leader student certification.

The access to hands-on learning that these initiatives provide is invaluable to students.

“Being part of the Phragmites [an invasive reed] removal project was a really meaningful experience for me,” says Nitisha Patel, an Ecosystem Restoration student at Niagara College. “Seeing the impact of invasive species firsthand and getting to be part of a real solution made the work feel urgent and empowering. It wasn’t just about pulling plants; it was about protecting biodiversity and helping our campus ecosystems thrive again.”

At a time of economic uncertainty, students are clear that nature still matters to them and the future that they envision for themselves.

Spring tree planting © University of Waterloo

“Volunteering within the campus community empowered me to make an impact in the places I love,” says Alessia Bozzoli, a student in York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change.

“It allowed me to meet many like-minded people and be recognized for my commitment. I recommend students to become involved, not just for the merit, but for the great opportunity to be involved in real change and connect their passion for sustainability into a community and an impact.”

Investing the resources needed to achieve the Living Campus certification demonstrates how dedicated these post-secondary institutions are to being leaders in conservation and to attracting students — like Narcisse, Nitisha and Alessia — with similar dedication.

The Living Campus certification is offered through WWF-Canada’s Living Planet @ Campus program in partnership with The Barrett Family Foundation.