Pathways Week 2025

Bikechain is an educational bicycle repair space serving the University of Toronto and the public. Since 2005, we have taught over 40,000 people how to fix their bikes and ride safely.

Live Green Toronto is a City of Toronto program that provides grants, incentives, resources and tools to promote behaviour change and catalyze climate action to meet Toronto's ambitious target to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2040.

Cuso International (Cuso), a Canadian-based global organization, is dedicated to addressing poverty and creating opportunities for greater equity. With over 60 years of meaningful impact, we focus on addressing the underlying challenges that limit progress. We leverage innovative approaches and strong partnerships to deliver tangible, lasting results in communities across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.

We work in partnership with governments, non-profits, and local organizations across the globe. From supporting small businesses to advancing equity and education, our initiatives have strengthened livelihoods and unlocked sustainable, economic opportunities.

We believe in localization, understanding that communities themselves hold the solutions to their challenges. By working alongside local leadership and community representatives and prioritizing collaboration, we ensure that our initiatives are community-driven and designed to foster autonomy & resilience.

EcoSpark is an environmental charity connecting people to their local natural environment through education, monitoring and stewardship. Operating since 1996, EcoSpark has developed a reputation as a community leader in local engagement, education, citizen science and collaboration. EcoSpark strives to initiate life-long environmental action in volunteers and participants through inspirational programs. Our programs engage participants in activities, giving them the tools to learn about and take actions that benefit their local environment. Educators, students and local community members participate in scientific research projects in collaboration with certified staff and other professional scientists. Working in a collaborative fashion, EcoSpark mentors citizens in meaningful environmental work while contributing valuable data to local, regional, national and international environmental research projects.

For over forty years, FoodShare Toronto has supported community self-determination and food justice across Toronto. We advance food access through targeted programming for those most affected by food insecurity while pushing for broader systemic change to eliminate poverty and hunger at their roots. Our vision is a Toronto where all people can feed themselves, their families, and their communities with dignity and joy. Our mission is to advocate for food justice by supporting community-based food initiatives and driving systemic change through public education and policy advocacy. At the heart of our work is the belief that food is a fundamental human right, and our programs are rooted in equity, community leadership, and long-term sustainability.

Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a world-wide community-centred conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall in over 30 countries. It aims to understand chimpanzees and other wildlife and their habitats, and to empower people to be compassionate citizens dedicated to a more sustainable planet.

The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada brings this work home, and supports it abroad. In Canada, we support youth and Indigenous communities to implement projects that address the convergence of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental inequity. In Africa, we support communities across chimpanzee ranges to enable conservation that protect these endangered species, while helping people to live sustainably.

LEAF is a non-profit organization that teaches people about trees and gets them excited about the urban forest. We plant native species in backyards and public spaces while engaging citizens in urban forest stewardship through planting, education and training.

Promoting and safeguarding a merit-based, representative and non-partisan public service that serves all Canadians, in collaboration with stakeholders. We also manage GC Jobs, providing applicants and managers with a single portal to access all public service job opportunities.

Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) is a registered charity and one of Canada’s leading wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organizations. Founded in 1993, TWC is dedicated to the rescue, medical care, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.

TWC had admitted thousands of wild animals from over 300 species, ranging from songbirds and squirrels to foxes, owls, and even beavers. Their on-site wildlife hospital is equipped with specialized medical facilities, and their team includes licensed veterinarians and trained wildlife rehabilitators who provide expert care tailored to each species’ needs.

Beyond direct animal care, TWC also plays a vital role in public education and human-wildlife conflict resolution. Their Wildlife Hotline responds to over 40,000 calls annually, offering advice and solutions to help the public coexist peacefully with urban wildlife. TWC also delivers community outreach programs, school presentations, and online resources to promote awareness and stewardship.

TWC operates almost entirely through donations and receives no government operational funding, relying on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to support its mission. The organization is also supported by a large network of dedicated volunteers who assist with animal care, transportation, and education efforts.

The U of T Trash Team is a science-based community outreach organization made up of undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, researchers, local volunteers and staff all working together with a common goal to increase waste literacy in our community while reducing plastic pollution in our ecosystems. We were founded in 2017 in collaboration with the Rochman Lab, part of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto.

Want to build your resume while helping to restore nature? Working towards a career focused on wildlife, sustainability or the environment? Chat with our team about WWF-Canada’s Living Planet @ Campus — a program engaging thousands of post-secondary students like you in addressing the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change — and about careers in the environmental NGO sector.

WWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a future where wildlife, nature and people thrive. Founded in 1967, we are the country’s largest international conservation organization and part of the WWF global network working in 100 countries worldwide.

Youth Challenge International (YCI) is accelerating youth innovation for good. Together with young leaders and innovators, we are creating a better future where people, planet, and profit can thrive. We are going all in on the bold ideas, skills, and ventures that will get us there. In over 30 countries, YCI has teamed up with young people and partner organizations to transform complex challenges into sustainable solutions; collectively, we learn fast, fail smart, and turn insights into action. We believe that a better world can – and will – be built by the next generation.

We support students and alumni with career exploration, job search, further education applications, and other stuff through workshops, programs, and individual advising.

The mandate of the President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS) is to advance coordination of the University’s tri-campus contributions and objectives on climate change and sustainability programming through the following four subcommittees: Teaching & Learning, Research, Operations, and Student Leadership. We run the Sustainability Pathways Program, and also offer paid internship opportunities for graduate students through our Sustainability Catalyst internship program.

Curious about hands-on learning opportunities at the School of Environment? Stop by the School of the Environment booth to learn more about courses that offer valuable experience with environmental organizations through academic internships, help tackle real-world problems with one of our community partners, or learn about research opportunities here and abroad.

The School of the Environment offers two pathways for graduate studies at the University of Toronto; the Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) program and the Collaborative Specializations. The MES is an intensive, 12-month research-stream program that responds to the growing need of society to understand and develop solutions to the environmental and human well-being challenges facing us in the 21st century. Upon graduation, MES graduates will have acquired a transdisciplinary perspective on environmental issues, learned to use methodologies and tools relevant to environmental protection and sustainability solutions, and will be well prepared for a variety of careers in the private and public sectors, or for further studies at the doctoral level. Our Collaborative Specializations in Environmental Studies and Environment and Health offer students enrolled in a graduate degree program elsewhere at the University of Toronto (U of T) the opportunity to specialize and explore an interdisciplinary area that complements their existing degree program.

The Undergraduate Office at the School of the Environment manages courses and programs offered by the School, such as the Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Ethics, Environment & Health, Environment & Behaviour, Environment & Energy, and Climate Change Studies programs. We also administer the Certificate in Sustainability on behalf of the Faculty of Arts & Science. If you have any questions about our courses, experiential learning and research opportunities at the School, our programs and your journey to program completion, and getting connected with our student groups, please reach out to us at ug.office.env@utoronto.ca.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015 as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. At its core are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which call on all countries to work together to end poverty, improve health and education, reduce inequality, foster economic growth, address climate change, and protect oceans and forests.

The SDGs build on decades of international collaboration, including the Millennium Development Goals, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development.

At the University of Toronto, the SDGs have inspired new approaches to research and collaboration. In December 2020, the university hosted two Institutional Strategic Initiative (ISI) workshops that brought together over 120 participants from three campuses and more than 25 disciplines. The strong engagement and enthusiasm that emerged from these discussions led to the creation of SDGs@UofT as an ISI dedicated to advancing research and action on the global goals.

SDGs@UofT was established to strengthen research capacity, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and mobilize knowledge to address urgent global challenges. Its objectives are to:

1) Design organizational structures that support collaboration on SDG-related research.

2) Conduct research that reflects diverse perspectives and methods to inform the SDGs and future global goals.

3) Empower trainees to actively engage in SDG-focused research.

4) Build sustainable local and global partnerships that advance transformative research and training.

5) Mobilize knowledge to ensure research has a meaningful societal impact.

Through these efforts, SDGs@UofT aims to contribute to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future while positioning the University of Toronto as a leader in advancing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.

The Sustainability Office works with students, faculty and staff to minimize the environmental impact of campus operations, offer sustainable services, deliver transformative infrastructure projects and advocate for positive change.

The Environmental Students’ Union represents the students enrolled in the programs of the School of Environment and affiliated departments. ENSU acts as a liaison between students enrolled in the programs and the corresponding faculties. We always welcome feedback on environment-related programs and courses. ENSU's aim to promote environmental awareness in the student community is realized in the organization of social and academic events and offering information on the various environmental programs at U of T. These programs range from the undergraduate to graduate level, offering a variety of environmental career paths available to students, and general information on sustaining our individual lifestyles, our campuses and the planet.

We are the student union for the graduate students within the School of the Environment. This includes all Master's of Environment and Sustainability students and all those who do a collaborative specialization in the School of the Environment, master's or PhD. We host fun social and academic events.

Regenesis is a student-led, non-profit organization that empowers students to take action on sustainability and environmental justice. We create hands-on opportunities and community-based solutions that make our campus more sustainable and inclusive.

At the University of Toronto, our initiatives include the Free Store (redistributing gently used goods to reduce waste), Community Gardens (supporting local food security), the Farmers’ Market (connecting students with fresh, affordable produce), and sustainability-focused events. We also collaborate with partners to amplify student voices in climate action and social equity.

Regenesis is built on collaboration, accessibility, and student leadership. By supporting innovative projects and community engagement, we aim to show that campuses can be living examples of sustainable and just communities.

Hosted by the School of the Environment

Need a new LinkedIn profile photo? The School of the Environment is offering free headshots! Drop-in anytime between 1 PM and 5 PM on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025, in Room 427 at the UTSU Student Commons!

Photos will be taken on a first-come-first-serve basis and sent through email post-event. This event is exclusively for enrolled School of the Environment students.

Hosted by the School of the Environment.

In this workshop, we will look at how you can effectively communicate your research to the public. Research often involves abstract ideas, complicated experimental designs and analyses, and technical language. As researchers, we must do a better job at communicating our findings to the general public in a way that can be understood. In this workshop, we will discuss ways in which we can disseminate our research to the public in effective and engaging ways.

Hosted by the School of the Environment.

Join us as Dr. Kariuki Kirigia talks about his journey through academia, from bachelors, to a PhD, to becoming an assistant professor.

Lecture Abstract

An intriguing aspect of academia lies in the way an academic pursuit unlocks doors to both the known and the unknown, often expanding the potential pathways as one progresses in their academic journey. In this exploration, I delve into the motivations behind pursuing graduate studies and the evolving expectations in the face of new encounters and discoveries, both accidental and otherwise, to reflect on pathways into academia. In an ever-dynamic yet highly gratifying pursuit, an academic journey presents both opportunities and challenges that are sometimes discernible and other times less so. I reflect on my personal journey into academia to address these divergent and shifting dynamics, forging a pathway into academia, and some insights into potential avenues for enriching academic experiences for graduate students.

Speaker Bio

Kariuki Kirigia is an Assistant Professor with a joint appointment in the School of the Environment and African Studies Centre at the University of Toronto. Kariuki’s research lies at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity conservation, land governance, African indigenous knowledges, and sustainability in Africa. Kariuki works in close partnership with African indigenous organizations and African universities in pursuit of knowledge co-production. Prior to joining the University of Toronto, Kariuki pursued a Liberal Arts bachelor’s degree at University College Utrecht, an MSc in Sustainable Development at Utrecht University, both in the Netherlands, a PhD in Anthropology at McGill University, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Concordia University, both in Montreal, Canada. He has published widely including an edited book volume, African Potentials’ for Wildlife Conservation and Natural Resource Management: Against the Image of ‘Deficiency’ and Tyranny of ‘Fortress’ and a recent book chapter, “Flourishing Flowers, Withering Livelihoods: Social Networks for Food Security in Naivasha, Kenya” in the edited volume, Agricultural Intensification, Environmental Conservation, Conflict and Co-Existence at Lake Naivasha, Kenya. He is working on a book project tentatively titled “Promises of Property: Dispossession, Displacement, and Conservation in African Indigenous Commons”. Kariuki’s past research has spanned many countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, the Netherlands, and Canada, focusing on food security, agriculture and agribusiness, floriculture and foreign investments in Africa, payment for ecosystem services (PES) schemes, community-led hydroelectricity projects, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), microfinance in rural Kenya, land and water governance, and climate anxiety among youth.

Hosted by the Multi-Faith Centre 

This professionally guided 30-minute mindfulness session offers a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect, and restore balance during your day. Designed to support both beginners and experienced practitioners, the session includes a brief introduction to the principles of mindfulness, a calming breathing exercise, and a 10-minute guided body scan meditation.

Participants will gain practical techniques that not only foster a sense of calm and clarity in the moment, but also serve as valuable tools to integrate into daily life—whenever focus, grounding, or stress relief is needed!We invite you to join us for this restorative experience and take away skills that support well-being beyond the session.

Join us to learn what mindfulness is, learn a short breathing practice, and then try a 10-minute body scan meditation. This session will be a great mindfulness break for those who are new to mindfulness and meditation, as well as, for those who have deep practices.

Hosted by the Centre for Learning Strategy Support

This is your opportunity to start applying strategies to enhance your motivation to your study and work schedule! Join us from 3 PM – 4 PM on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025, in Room 426 at the UTSU Student Commons to attend the workshop.

With the aid of an upper-year peer mentor at the Centre for Learning Strategy Support, you will learn different methods to improve your motivation and design a personalized approach for staying on track for the rest of term.

By the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Understand different types of motivation and what drives your own work
• Identify your values and the purpose they serve
• Set SMART goals for the tasks on your to-do list

About the facilitator: Micah Tan (he/they) is a fourth year student doing an EEB and Toxicology Double Major with an Environmental Biology Minor. This is his second year working with the CLSS as a Peer Mentor.

This workshop is provided by the Innis College Writing Centre

Learn how to write about yourself in a compelling, persuasive way for job and graduate-school applications.

Laura Curran (MSFM, 2021 [UBC]; HBSc., 2020) is a Registered Professional Forester with experience in project management, urban forestry research, and field work. Whether she is gathering data in the field or writing reports in the office, Laura works to understand, create, and manage healthy forest ecosystems.

Laura is currently a Forest Technician I & Project Lead, Urban Forest Studies at the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

Maria Barradas Ferreira (B.A., 2017) intended to become a teacher and work overseas, but taking ENV200Y with Prof. Ann Zimmerman in 2009 led her to re-assess her worldview and set her down a non-linear educational path. Maria's path has now come full circle and she works in the public sector, leading energy consumption tracking and reporting for City of Toronto internal buildings. She's also a certified PADI Rescue Diver and spends most Decembers in Curacao volunteering on coral reef restoration projects.

Maria is currently a Senior Energy Management Analyst at the City of Toronto.

Quinn Goranson (UofT Hon. B.A., 2021) is an environmental conservation policy professional with a masters degree in Public Policy and Global Affairs from the University of British Columbia. Quinn was a member of the CEDAR project, conducting quantitative and qualitative research on nuclear energy discourse in Canada. She has experience working in both international climate policy at the federal level as well as fiscal and environmental protection policy at the provincial level. Quinn enjoys being outdoors, building community, and making art.

Quinn is currently a Policy and Research Analyst at the Ontario Provincial Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.