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Western Environment & Sustainability Network

Group photo of the Western Environment and Sustainability Network

Students at Western are demonstrating leadership towards building a regenerative future in many different ways. The groups listed on this page represent undergraduate and graduate student clubs and groups who are a part of the Western Environment & Sustainability Network (WESN). Participation in the network is open to main campus and affiliates. Any group interested in getting involved can email sustainability@uwo.ca to learn more. 

The goals of WESN include:

  • Raise awareness of student-led sustainability initiatives and opportunities for students to get involved 
  • Support cohesion and collaboration amongst sustainability groups on campus 
  • Regular dialogue about Western Sustainability initiatives with student groups 

Annual Sustainability Fair

Western Sustainability hosts an annual Sustainability Fair each October for groups in the Network to raise awareness of their initiatives, like a mini Clubs Week. The Sustainability Fair provides a space for all students to learn about how they can get involved with sustainability, whether they are at main campus, affiliates, undergraduate, or graduate students. 

Western Environment & Sustainability Network

The Animal Ethics and Sustainability Leadership (AESL) program at Huron offers a unique major and minor that allow students to build animal and environmental knowledge along with management and leadership skills to help create a more humane, just, and sustainable future. A multidisciplinary BA degree that interweaves the social sciences, management and organizational studies, and the arts, AESL also cultivates community and students from Huron, Western, and King's can engage in community work, attend events, and build connections in the world of animal protection, advocacy, and beyond.

Learn more through the program page, follow on Instagram @HuronAnimalEthics, or contact program coordinator Dr. Kendra Coulter at kendra.coulter@huron.uwo.ca. 

The purpose of BUGS is to broaden the academic and social experience of Western undergraduate students with an interest in biology. BUGS aims to connect undergraduate biology students with similar goals to each other, to serve as a liaison between undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and department officials, and to foster an environment where students can learn about scholarship, career, scholastic, and volunteer opportunities. Connect with BUGS on Instagram, Facebook, or by email at westernbugs@gmail.com.
The Climate Crisis Coalition (CCC) is a grassroots, student-run organization formed with the purpose of helping Western University fulfil its responsibility of being a leader in the fight against the ongoing deterioration of the planet’s environment. We prioritize advocacy work that targets the fossil fuel industry, such as fossil fuel divestment.  We are always welcoming new members throughout the year! Check out some of our past actions on our Instagram @climatecrisiscoalitionuwo and learn more about us on Discord Server. 

EWB Canada invests in people; the organization identifies, encourages, and equips talented leaders to have a positive impact on local, regional, and global communities. EWB invites and empowers people who value collaboration and cooperation to develop solutions to local and global poverty, inequality, and sustainability issues. EWB offers immersive experiences at Western, across Canada and sub-Saharan Africa to launch future leaders equipped to understand and engineer systems change.

EWB Western is a highly active chapter within the organization, with portfolios that focus on a range of global and local issues such as: Climate Change, Fair-Trade, Food Systems, Youth Engagement, Gender Equity, Political Advocacy and more! Connect with EWB Western on Facebook, Instagram, Slack, or by email at uwo@ewb.ca

EnviroUSC is a USC student service that promotes a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues that are important to students at Western. Enviro provides numerous opportunities and initiatives for students to get involved in on campus throughout the year relating to gardening, sustainable food, waste, water, outreach and more! For questions, project ideas, or to join, contact EnviroUSC by Instagram, Facebook, or by email at envirousc@westernusc.ca.

FRESH is a comprehensive peer nutrition education program that utilizes a partnership with the Food and Nutrition program and Western's Hospitality Services to increase awareness, improve knowledge, build skills, and influence the campus food environment. Through interactive events and healthy eating initiatives, FRESH strives to make Western and its affiliates the healthiest campus in Canada!

If you are interested in requesting a FRESH event, please email FRESH at fresh@uwo.ca. For Resources and information regarding FRESH, check out the website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Friends of the Gardens (FOGs) is a group of volunteers of who care for two of Western’s beautiful gardens: St. Mary's Rock Garden and the Pollinator Garden. We are an enthusiastic team coming from all parts of the university; undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, faculty, retirees, alumni, and community members.

FOGs volunteers work through the year on a variety of projects like garden maintenance and Plant Sales. We also make an annual contribution to bursaries for undergraduate and graduate students. We have a strong drive for environmental work and a great sense of community. If you like plants, insects, and nature, join us! Learn more on our website.

GreenSort was founded when the lack of effective waste education among Western students was identified by individuals with a passion for sustainability. Our mission is to act as a bridge between Western’s commitment to sustainability and the student body. Many efforts have taken place by Western but there's a clear disconnect between intention and impact as we've connected with students. 

As a community, students have the potential to exponentially increase waste diversion, and greatly reduce the amount of waste dumped into landfill sites. Maximizing this potential is where our work lies. We believe that waste management can only be as efficient as the consumers–Western students–want it to be. Help us foster a cleaner tomorrow. Learn more here.

The Green Club has a purpose of raising awareness to environmental issues, by creating opportunities for all students to gain knowledge and experience in relevant environmental issues. Our mission is to increase dialogue amongst environmental organizations and the Huron’s community; providing support to Huron’s community, but also, London’s community with existing environmental initiatives.

Visit their Instagram to learn more!

The mission of HPAWS is to guide students in knowing the animals who are our neighbours and how, in our everyday lives and careers, we can make a positive change for them. HPAWS offers a variety of programming, from social events and site visits to volunteer opportunities. We encourage students from all faculties to get involved, including those on the main campus. Follow us and feel free to message us anytime on Instagram @hpaws.huron.

The goal of the Indigenous Student Association (ISA) is to maintain a sense of community amongst their peers across campus while also providing programming, events, and workshops in order to educate Western's Campus about Indigenous peoples, their nations, and their distinct cultures alongside current issues involving Indigenous peoples presently. 

Learn more and connect with the ISA on their website, Instagram, and Facebook, or by email at isa.westernu@gmail.com.

Degrowth is a multidisciplinary field that synthesizes our understanding of economics, history, anthropology, ecology, political science, and technology to form a broad critique of growth-dependent human development. The Ivey Degrowth Club (IDC) aims to spread awareness about degrowth while educating students on the concept’s relevance in their respective career paths. IDC presents alternative economic structures that align with Earth’s planetary boundaries while offering pragmatic solutions to the various crises we face today. Discussions will coincide with the HBA curriculum to offer alternative discussions to course programming such as the infinite growth narrative taught in mainstream economic classes. IDC welcomes all community members to participate in dialogues and contemplate subjects that are not typically addressed at Ivey but hold significant value for aspiring business leaders.
The HBA Sustainability Certificate is directed by Dr. Oana Branzei and is generously funded by RBC and the Chisholm Family Foundation. The Certificate empowers Ivey HBA students to build and lead more sustainable organizations. It includes a coordinated set of courses and experiences designed to provide a strong grounding in the principles and best practices of sustainability. The program positions students to begin their journeys as responsible C-Suite decision-makers, entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders and policymakers.

The Ivey MBA Sustainability Club is an organization led by the student cohort, which works closely with the Ivey Centre for Building Sustainable Value and operates under the MBA Association (MBAA). The Club aims to inspire, educate, and promote collaborative efforts for future business graduates, with the objective of demonstrating and educating the student body on sustainability practices, to be implemented throughout their professional careers and everyday lives. The Club organizes a variety of student run events, such as fireside chats, panelist sessions, and field trips, independently and through collaboration with other Ivey Business School clubs, to reach both Ivey’s undergraduate and graduate students. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Ivey MBA Sustainability Club or collaborating on an event, please contact Ivey MBAA.

The Ivey MSc Sustainability Club organizes events and initiatives that equip students with technical skills and valuable networking opportunities in the field of sustainability.

In 2017, Ivey Social Impact Club (SIC) was formed as a merger between the Ivey Not-for-Profit and Ivey Sustainability clubs. Since then, the group has been connecting passionate Ivey students to opportunities in the impact space by promoting business as a tool to create positive social and environmental change.

Learn more and connect with the club on their website and Instagram.

The Environmental Commissioner is responsible for organizing activities and fundraising events related to environmental affairs. They coordinate with various campus and external groups, including the Director of Physical Plant, the Environmental Intern, and EnviroUSC, to address sustainability at King’s. They support the Environmental and Sustainability Intern, organize Environmental Awareness Week, and oversee the King’s Community Garden with the help of designated coordinators. Contact them here environment@kucsc.com.

Purple Hands is a student-run charity that focuses on bridging the gap between the student populations and marginalized and vulnerable individuals in London. We do this through outreach, advocacy, and educational events and campaigns to work towards alleviating some of the burdens that those experiencing homelessness in London face, as well as to connect the London community with the Western Community.

If you are interested in learning more about Purple Hands initiatives and ways to support the London community, please follow us on Instagram (@purplehandsuwo) and check out our website (www.purplehandsuwo.com)!

Purple Market is a free, student-led marketplace where members of the Western community buy and sell textbooks, furniture, dorm gear and more. Every account is verified with a uwo.ca email, so exchanges stay on campus. By making it easier to pass items on than to throw them out, especially at move-in and move-out, Purple Market helps keep usable goods out of the landfill. Founded by Western student Will Porter. 

Learn more here

The Schulich E.A.R.T.H club aims to educate medical students about the environmental influence on human health, provides resources for future use, and develops practical solutions for health improvement from an environmental perspective.

Find them on Instagram!

Western’s SSC Environmental Committee strives to ensure that our science study body is actively educated about and engaged in initiatives supporting current environmental and sustainability practices. Through a variety of interactive workshops, educational media, collaborations with London organizations such as Goodwill thrift stores, and the introduction of environment-friendly practices like proper waste disposal, we hope to make Western a greener and healthier community.

For any questions, concerns, or new initiative ideas, contact environment@westernssc.ca or visit our Instagram (western.ssc) or website (https://www.westernssc.ca/)! 

The Sustainability Committee strives to make SOGS an environmentally sustainable organization. Centralized by the SOGS Climate Emergency Declaration, the committee works closely with the SOGS Sustainability Coordinator, graduate students, the campus community, and city stakeholders to better communicate and educate SOGS members about issues pertaining to the global climate crisis and environmental sustainability. Email the committee at sustainability.committee@sogs.ca and stay updated with current initiatives on Instagram.

The UES Sustainability Committee is a group of undergraduate students that operates under the Undergraduate Engineering Society (UES). The goal of the committee is to run initiatives that educate engineering students and promote sustainability in their daily lives and professional careers. This committee also works to provide all UES activities with guidelines for being sustainable, audit all UES activities' environmental footprint, and suggest improvements for the following year.

Students interested in attending events, checking out resources, or contacting UES Sustainability can stay updated through Instagram, or email the group at sustainabilitycommittee@groups.uwo.ca.

WATS is a multidisciplinary group of students, faculty, and staff at Western University who are passionate about researching and promoting safe cycling and walking as a means of transportation. Much of current infrastructure is focused on cars, and while cycling and walking is not for everybody (and not for every day), WATS believes that better support for active transportation will yield important and significant benefits. Cycling and walking is fun, and research clearly shows that it is good for body, brain, society and environment. 

WATS sends out a newsletter by email and hosts meetings where all members are welcome! Connect with WATS on Twitter or by email at wats@uwo.ca. 

WestERn Community for Active Transport (WERCAT) is organized by Western Emergency Medicine and powered by a handful of dedicated medical students from Schulich School of Medicine. Our advocacy work is partly inspired by WATS and our goals are twofold: 1) To provide a community for those looking to transition to non-car transport at LHSC and St. Joseph’s Hospital Campuses and 2) To engage in community advocacy in London and region with the hope of reducing vulnerable road user morbidity and mortality while making active transport options more viable for all.

To learn more, join our community, or contact us, check out our Instagram or Twitter.

Western Environmental Business (WEB) is a club that fosters a future generation of environmentally conscious business leaders and changemakers. Through carefully curated programming of workshops to case competitions, WEB strives to educate students on the intersections of business and sustainability. Students are encouraged to join as general members regardless of skill level or faculty.

Come join us in making a meaningful environmental impact! Follow WEB on Facebook and Instagram to receive updates on events.

The Western Sustainable Leaders Program (WSLP) is a collaborative initiative between the Office of Sustainability and student leaders on campus. WSLP hosts regular events, green campus tours, workshops and walks throughout the year on a range of sustainability topics. There are also many ways to get involved with contests and prize draws! Email wslp-sus@groups.uwo.ca and follow @westernuSustain for more information.  
Western University Vegan Society provides free education resources on living a vegan or plant-based lifestyle. We advocate for the promotion of plant-based diets as a way to live healthier and more sustainable lives, as well as raising awareness about animal rights. WUVS remains open to people from all walks of life, regardless of whether they are vegan or interested in learning more!
Western Wildlife Conservation Society (WWCS) is a student organization dedicated to educating and increasing involvement of the student body in wildlife conservation. WWCS aims to raise awareness of how to lower ecological footprints and create a healthy and sustainable planet. WWCS pairs up with local organizations such as the London Environmental Network and Salthaven Wildlife and Education Center to educate students on how they can get involved locally to help our environment and the wildlife that live in it. Contact WWCS on Facebook, Instagram, or by email at wildlifeconservation.club@westernusc.ca.