John Abbott College Receives WWF Go Wild Grant to Enhance Biodiversity

In an exciting development for environmental conservation, John Abbott College in Sainte-Anne-De-Bellevue, Québec, has been awarded a prestigious Go Wild Grant from WWF Canada. The $1,500 grant will bolster the college's innovative Land-Based project, aimed at enhancing biodiversity on campus.

The Land-Based project, primarily funded by a grant from Colleges and Institutes Canada (Campus Living Lab program), seeks to transform a section of the campus currently dominated by a low-diversity lawn into a thriving wild habitat. With the support of WWF Canada, John Abbott College plans to establish a micro-forest and a First People’s Garden, incorporating diverse native plant species to restore biodiversity and support local wildlife.

Shannon Coulter-Low, a key figure in the initiative, expressed enthusiasm for the project's blend of Indigenous traditions and modern ecological understanding: "The grant is helping us build a very unique and exciting project which joins together western perspectives and Indigenous ways of knowing (two-eyed seeing). These plants will be used to create a sacred space for our Indigenous students and all learners to engage with the land in this interdisciplinary project."

The micro-forest and First People’s Garden will serve as vital habitats for pollinators, insects, birds, small mammals, and amphibians, while also contributing to carbon sequestration, improved air quality, temperature regulation, and water retention in flood-prone areas. This transformative initiative aligns with WWF-Canada’s mission to restore and protect nature, combat wildlife loss, and mitigate climate change impacts.

John Abbott College joins 59 other institutions across Canada in receiving a Go Wild Grant this year, contributing to the organization’s larger goal of regenerating one million hectares for biodiversity and climate by 2030. The project exemplifies the transformative impact of grassroots initiatives in fostering environmental stewardship and nurturing connections between communities and nature.

Elizabeth Hendriks, Vice-President of Restoration and Regeneration at WWF-Canada, shared her excitement: "We’re delighted to be funding 59 new Go Wild projects. Each year, we’re blown away by the quality and creativity of the applications, and 2024 is no exception. We can’t wait to see this year’s grantees bring their projects to life to restore and protect important local habitats and help biodiversity and the climate."

John Abbott College, a public Anglophone college serving students since 1971, is situated on the western tip of the Island of Montreal. With an increasingly diverse student body, the college continues to lead in initiatives that promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.

This grant from WWF Canada marks a significant milestone in the college's journey towards creating a more vibrant and ecologically sustainable campus environment. As the project unfolds, it is expected to inspire similar initiatives across the country, contributing to the broader effort of preserving and restoring nature for future generations.