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Western Sustainable Leaders Program (WSLP)

Western Sustainable Leaders Program (WSLP)

The Western Sustainable Leaders Program (WSLP) is a way for students to engage with sustainability throughout the year with a network of like-minded students from across campus interested in sustainability. Each month features a different theme with educational and experiential opportunities to get involved!

The WSLP engages guest speakers from across campus and the broader community, providing opportunities for students to network with professionals and peers involved with a wide range of sustainability initiatives on campus and in the community. This program also supports students in earning the WWF-Canada Living Planet Leader certification by offering sustainable living tips, volunteering, and student leadership positions. Students have the opportunity of earning the Sustainability Leader designation for their Western Co-Curricular Record every year.

WSLP Events

With in-person experiences on campus coming back in full swing, we're very excited to offer face-to-face events and activities this year! Previous virtual webinar recordings are available to view below, but more information about past and upcoming events is available on our OWL site! See this link or scan the QR code below if you would like to be added to the site and receive WSLP updates from our email list.

Safeguarding Biodiversity with Nature Canada Letter Writing Campaign - Nov. 30, 2022

Nature Canada is one of Canada's oldest and largest nature conservation charities, and on Nov. 30 they are bringing their NatureBus to Western University! Join the WSLP, Nature Canada, and other campus and community environmental organizations in a letter-writing campaign where your message about biodiversity will be featured in the NatureCOP installation: "Letters of Hope - Canadians' support and wishes for a nature positive world."

WSLP x SSC Research in Environmental Science and Biology Event - Nov. 28, 2022

The WSLP has partnered with representatives from Science Student Council to bring you a special event for environmental science and biology students, centred around helping you find opportunities in research! Panelists include Dr. David Edgell, PhD Candidate Emily Stuckless, Dr. Katrina Moser, and a USRI recipient, 4th year undergraduate student Natalie Minda! Come hear about their journeys in research, and ask your questions.

WSLP x FOGs Native Seed Saving - Oct. 11, 2022

Brought to you by the Friends of the Gardens (FOGs) at Western and FOGs member Samuel Rycroft, we're going to take you on a tour of Western's own native pollinator garden! You'll get the opportunity to identify and collect native seeds as well as explore potential opportunities within FOGs for more hands-on experience.

WSLP x Ivey Social Impact Club Post-Hoco Campus Clean-up - Sept. 25, 2022

Join WSLP and the Ivey Social Impact Club to clean up campus after the homecoming events on Friday and Saturday! Supplies will be provided, but please bring your own garbage bags, flagging tape, gloves, etc. if you can.

Bike to Campus Day - Sept. 22, 2022

Bike to Campus Day is an annual event featuring a full day of activities, including a WSLP co-curricular verified Green Campus Walking/Cycling Tour over the lunch hour!

Check out the Bike Fair on Kent Drive North (in front of McIntosh Gallery) for tips about bike safety, input to the City's Mobility Master Plan, involvement with active transportation advocates on campus, bike safety checks, and free bike swag. At 12pm join the WSLP for a Green Campus Walking Tour to learn about sustainability features on campus while enjoying campus on bike or foot.

WSLP Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA) Day BioBlitz - Sept. 18, 2022

ESA stands for London's Environmentally Significant Areas - such as the Medway Valley Heritage Forest ESA behind Western and Huron's campus grounds. The purpose of ESA Day is to educate the communities surrounding ESAs about them, why their conservation is important, and how visitors can help to limit their impact.

One of the guided activities for this day will be a WSLP BioBlitz @ 12 - 1pm, which students can count towards their Sustainable Leader designation on the Western Co-Curricular Record. Come on out to meet other WSLP members while enjoying a beautiful walk in the forest, guided by Western PhD Candidate, Brendon Samuels.

Benefits for Students

This program has been designed collaboratively by Western Sustainability and a team of students! We believe student leadership is key for sustainability and have built this program to benefit students and build leadership skills in a number of ways: QR code for WSLP registration

Gain recognition on Western's Co-Curricular Record by attending a minimum of four of our monthly events. Students can earn this designation every year!
Network with professionals in various sustainability sectors
Learn about a range of sustainability themes
Stay updated on volunteer and leadership opportunities
Connect with students from various academic backgrounds to discuss interdisciplinary solutions to sustainability challenges

The program is open to all students (undergraduate, graduate, main campus, affiliates).

If you would like to get involved, click this link or scan the QR code to fill out our sign-up form!