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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Events

Upcoming events

 

Healthy Mind, Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Our Collective Actions

Starting Friday, May 1 (ongoing)

  • Healthy Mind, Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Share a photo or sustainability tips and practices of how you are staying healthy (mindfulness activity and stretches, connecting with nature, reducing single-use items, nutrition tips, meatless recipes, etc.) while physically distancing. Submissions will be used to create a collage of how the Ontario Tech community is living sustainably, both on and off campus.

SUBMIT YOUR TIPS AND PHOTOS

 

National Forest Week and National Tree Day

Sunday, September 20 through Saturday, September 26

  •  2020 marks the 100th anniversary of National Forest Week in Canada! The Canadian Institute of Forestry has created the theme for this year as 'Healthy Forests- Healthy Future'. Visit the event page to find out more!
  • National Tree Day is on Wednesday, September 23.
  • ACTION: We Grow Tress from Home - Collect acorns from around campus or your neighbourhood; foster the acorn over winter; plant acorn, and care for and water acorn during growth process into a tree. Take pictures and share with us on social media @OT_GoGreen or email sustainability@ontariotechu.ca 

 

Ongoing events

Ontario Tech Community Gardens

Join us this spring as a part of the second year of Ontario Tech Community Gardens. Contact sustainability@ontariotechu.ca to sign up and learn more. ** Note: The Community Garden will not be operating during summer 2020 due to the pandemic, following university procedures; updates will be shared on this page and in the Weekly Report. **

Sustainability on social

#MugLife

Chance to win a prize, during certain times in the year by tagging yourself using a reusable mug with #MugLife and @OT_GoGreen.

Caught Green-Handed

All month long, tag yourself, your friends, family or coworkers completing a sustainable act (using a reusable water bottle, taking public transit, cycling, etc.) and use #CaughtGreenHanded.

Sustainability Scavenger Hunt

Keep your eyes open for sustainability-related initiatives on campus! Whether its something you do, something your friend/co-worker does or something the university is doing, we want to see the sustainability-related things happening on campus. Share it on social media and tag us @OT_gogreen, and #gogreenstayblue to showcase your discovery!

Archived event information and galleries

  • 2020

    Honey Jarring Workshop

    Friday, January 31 and Friday, February 7, 2020 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in UP1501.

    Come out and be a part of the Local Ontario Tech Honey making process, and learn about our pollinator project on campus. This workshop lets you get hands on in the honey making and jarring process.

    Grow Your Own: Seed Exchange Workshop - CANCELLED

    Seed saving is important because you:

    • Develop seeds that become acclimated to our local climate
    • Grow plants that are more pest resistant
    • Save money on seeds and plants
    • Know the origin of your food
    • Become less dependent on large food producers

    Attend this informational and engaging workshop to learn more!

    • When: Friday, March 20 from 4 to 5 p.m.
    • Where: Fireside Reading Room, North Oshawa Campus Library
    • Host: Ryan Cullen

    Repair Cafe: Don't Throw it Away! -CANCELLED

    Friday, March 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre, Atrium

    Repair Cafe is an event where people repair household electrical and mechanical devices, computers, bicycles, clothing, and more! Bring in your broken items on Friday, March 27! We are also looking for volunteers to sign up, with skills for fixing certain items! Email sustainability to sign up as a fixer, or bring in items the day of to get hands on to watch and learn how to repair various household items.

    Email: sustainability@ontariotechu.ca

    Ontario Tech Sustainability Scavenger Hunt! - POSTPONED

    Students will have the opportunity to explore sustainability initiatives on campus in a fun and exciting way!
    For each question, indicate your answer in the 'short answer text' box located directly under the question. Students will have to navigate sustainability features on campus as well as using our website.

    The first five students, staff or faculty to answer these questions correctly receive a prize!

    Virtual Earth Week and Earth Day

    April 20 to 24, 2020

    Celebrate Earth Week with us virtually! Take a picture of how you will be celebrating and tag us on social media @OT_GoGreen. Here are this week's themed days (see the Earth Week Poster): 

    • Meatless Monday: Try a delicious plant-based meal!
    • Textile Tuesday: Donate clothing to those in need or repair torn items. Did you know that North Americans send more than 10 million tonnes of clothing to landfill each year? Ninety-five per cent could be recycled or reused! (Source: Waste Reduction Week Canada).
    • Wellness Wednesday (Earth Day): 
      • Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy Planet: Practice a mindfulness activity and connect with nature. 
      • April 22, 2020 will mark 50 years of Earth Day celebrations, but we should celebrate Earth Day every day! Support the fight towards protecting our Earth. #EarthDay2020
    • Trashless Thursday: Reduce single-use plastics by using reusable bottles and mugs!
    • Food Waste Friday: Shop strategically to reduce food waste. Don't forget to compost!

    Other ideas include: 

    • Complete an Earth Day EcoChallenge with your family or individually
    • Gardening 101: Learn basic tips for planting a garden
    • How to start vegetable container gardens
    • 30 days of activities in April
    • Create a Netflix Party and watch a documentary. Here are a few suggestions: The True Cost, Planet Earth, Cowspiracy, More than honey, Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things
    • Healthy Mind, Healthy Spaces, Healthy People: Share a photo of what makes you happy or share how you are staying healthy (your daily physical activity, nutrition tips, etc.) with friends and family; don't forget to tag us too!

    World Bee Day 

    May 20, 2020

    • We can all do our part to help bees and pollinators on World Bee Day!
      • Ideas/suggested activities include: planting native flowers, buying raw honey from local farmers or campus, buying products that follow sustainable agricultural practices, and avoiding pesticides and herbicides in your garden. 
      • Share what you will be doing by submitting a photo.

    World Environment Day
    Friday, June 5, 2020

    World Ocean Day
    Monday, June 8, 2020

    National Pollinator Week
    Monday, June 22 through Sunday, June 28, 2020

    • Celebrate pollinators and all that they do! Plant pollinator-friendly flowers, build a bee condo and don't forget to bee kind to all pollinators and the environment!
    • Learn more about the Ontario Tech Pollinator Project as we expand our gardens and create a two-hectare pollinator-friendly garden
    • Share what you will be doing on social media, tag or DM us @OT_GoGreen using #pollinatorweek or submit a photo!

     

     

  • 2019

    Recycle-Mania (February)

    Booths

    Look for the blue team on campus! We will be having a booths on...

    • Friday, February 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - 61 Charles Building, second floor
    • Monday, February 11 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. - Business and Information Technology Building, Atrium
    • Wednesday, February 27 from noon to 2 p.m. - Business and Information Technology Building, Atrium

    Come see us at the booths for recycle themed events, trivias and your chance to win some prizes!

    Earth Month (April)

    Recycling Booth

    The Blue Team will host a booth on recycling in the Science Building, Founding Deans Atrium on Monday, April 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

    Guided Nature Walk and Campus Cleanup

    The Blue Team will host a campus cleanup and guided nature walk Wednesday, April 17 from noon to 2 p.m. Meet on first floor of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (CRWC), outside the turnstiles. Bags and gloves will be provided.

    Earth Day Nature-Based Meditation

    This nature-themed meditation on Monday, April 22 is designed to reconnect us with our planet. Check back soon for further details!

    Yoga in the Dark

    Yoga in the Dark is back again this year! Join the Blue Team on Monday, April 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the CRWC Aerobics Room. Wear your bright yoga clothes for a glow-in-the-dark yoga session that promotes power conservation—with a fun twist!

    Pollinator Tour and Nature Clean-Up (July)

    In celebration of National Pollinator Week, Ontario Tech is opening its doors to community members and students to showcase the exciting expansion to our Pollinator Project. This #GoGreenStayBlue initiative enables the bee populations to recover after a rapid decline in the last several years due to habitat loss and pesticide use. The tour will feature 3 Ha hydro-seeded Wildflower Gardens, our 40 honey-producing hives maintained by Royal Meadows Farms, and our Solitary Bee Hotels, made of recycled material. Attendees will also visit the campus Community Garden plots, tree nursery and our greenhouse and solar panels. Through the tour, we will incorporate a nature clean-up, for those interested. Gloves and bags will be provided; recommend attendees wear closed-toe shoes. Our expert apiarists will be on site to give a Beekeeping 101 talk, answer questions, and allow you to look at our hive window box. Come prepared with all of the bee questions you may have and maybe some cash for sweet Ontario Tech wildflower honey produced on campus or infused honey made by Royal Meadows! Bee-aware if you have bee allergies, as we will be close to bee hives during this tour!

    This event is June 20, 2019 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. located at the Ontario Tech OCIS Office. 

    Sign up here!

    Campus Market

    Our annual Campus Market will return September 26, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This market incorporates various local vendors selling things such as maple syrup, fresh produce, jewelry, clothing, and more! 

    Pollinator Tour (October)

    Ontario Tech is opening its doors to community members and students to showcase the exciting expansion to our Pollinator Project. This #GoGreenStayBlue initiative enables the bee populations to recover after a rapid decline in the last several years due to habitat loss and pesticide use. The tour will feature three hydro-seeded wildflower gardens, our 40 honey-producing hives maintained by Royal Meadows Farms, and our solitary bee hotels, made of recycled material. Our expert apiarists will be on site to give a Beekeeping 101 talk, answer questions, and allow you to look at our hive window box. Come prepared with all of the bee questions you may have and maybe some cash for sweet Ontario Tech wildflower honey produced on campus or infused honey made by Royal Meadows! 'Bee-aware' if you have bee allergies, as we will be close to bee hives during this tour!

    This event is Thursday, October 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ontario Tech Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability office (285 Britannia Avenue West, Oshawa, Ontario). 

    Fall Movie Night

    On Thursday, October 17, The Oshawa Environmental Advisory Committee will screen the movie Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees at the Regent Theatre. Ontario Tech honey will also be available for purchase (cash only), and we will be accepting non-perishable food donations. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This event is open to staff, students, faculty and community members! 

    Waste Reduction Week

    Waste Reduction Week is Monday, October 21 through Friday, October 25. Catch us on campus for various events, educational booths and more! Further details to follow.

    Booth: Tuesday, October 22 from noon to 4 p.m. in UB Atrium.

    Booth: Thursday, October 24 from noon to 4 p.m. in UA West Atrium.

    Fair Trade Week

    Fair Trade Week is Monday, October 28 through Friday, November 1. Catch us on campus and follow our social media for free fair -trade smoothies, informational booths, giveaways and more! More details to come.

    Booth: Tuesday, October 29 from noon to 4 p.m. Come check out our booth to learn about Fair Trade, and win some prizes!

    Reverse Trick-Or-Treat Collaboration with World University Service of Canada: Thursday, October 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., located in UA West Atrium! 

     

    Thrift Swap:

    All students – whether you live off or on campus – are encouraged to bring items to swap out or recycle to either the Simcoe Residence lobby or South Village Residence lobby from Monday, December 2 to Thursday, December 12. All items left by December 12 will either be recycled in a responsible manner or donated to a local charity.

    Items accepted at the Thrift Swap:

    • Gently used Clothing
    • Nonperishable food items
    • Used books
    • Small household items
    • Writing utensils
    • Used batteries
    • Electronic waste
    • Disposable plastic bags
  • 2018

    2018 Campus Market

    Thursday September 27
    11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Polonsky Commons (north Oshawa location)

    Thursday October 4
    11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Victoria Pedway (downtown Oshawa location, beside Regent Theatre)

    Visit a variety of local vendors and artisans selling honey, baked goods, fresh produce, maple syrup, jewelry and more!

    Unlock the Potential of Food

    Thursday, March 15
    11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
    Business and Information Technology Building, Atrium 
    Facebook event link

    Glow and Flow Yoga

    Tuesday, March 20
    3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
    Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, gyms 1 and 2
    View the event poster

    Sustainable Literacy Assessment

    This assessment will help evaluate the university's level of sustainable literacy, through asking knowledge- and opinion-based questions relating to the different aspects of sustainability, both on campus and globally. This survey is open to students, staff and faculty. Complete it by Friday, November 23 for a chance to with a university prize pack.

    Honey Jarring Workshop

    This honey jarring workshop aims to get students, staff and faculty involved in Ontario Tech's own Wildflower Honey, and learn about the process of making honey, as well as educate on the importance of pollinators. 

  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014