Page 10 - Sustainability Plan

Stewardship
RRU maintains the integrity of several onsite
ecosystems to promote environmental learning.
— Dr. Jonathan Moran, Associate Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability
One of the goals of the Royal Roads University Strategic Direction is to be “a leader for sustainable stewardship of our historic lands.” In keeping with the theme of the sustainability plan to live in harmony with the land and
the community, this goal takes on special signi cance in this sustainability plan.
The history of the Royal Roads land begins with stories from the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) and Lekwungen (Songhees) families who once lived on these lands to harvest for food, medicine and clothing. These families shared the land resources with the Scia’new (Beecher Bay) and T’Sou-ke (Sooke) families. Traditionally, guests were treated with respect, kindness and generosity, knowing guests would not take more than they needed. We are grateful to the Xwsepsum and Lekwungen ancestors and their families who have made it possible for us to continue to work, live and learn on these lands.
“By protecting the ecological and historical integrity of the Hatley Park National Historic site, we honour the ways of knowing and being, and our diverse contributions to the site.” Asmanahi Antoine, Indigenous Education and Student Services Manager
Sneq’wa e’lun (Blue Heron House) was created for the Indigenous Education and Student Services (IESS) of ce, and to provide a home away from home for Indigenous students, faculty and staff. The IESS of ce works closely with the local First Nation communities’ Chiefs and Elders to assist Royal Roads to weave traditional knowledge and ways of being into our daily lives.
Responsible stewardship will raise the signi cance of the ecological, historical and ancestral importance of Royal Roads University lands.
Over the next ve years we will continue practicing responsible and sustainable stewardship in collaboration with the Xwsepsum and Lekwungen families and the neighbouring Scia’new and T’Sou-ke families, as well as the communities of the Westshore.
Initiatives that foster stewardship:
■ The Community Relations and Advancement department and the Of ce of Sustainability are collaborating with a team of staff and faculty to raise the signi cance of “sense of place” in the Teaching and Learning model of Royal Roads University. A Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science student team will do a major project
on this subject in 2015 which will include an assessment of building an outdoor classroom on campus and a labyrinth by 2020.
■ Also in 2015, another team of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science students will work
on a ve-year plan for the removal of invasive plant species on the campus core. The School of Environment and Sustainability faculty will also begin studying the ecological signi cance of the campus lands, with special recognition of the rare Garry Oak Ecosystem.
■ The Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative (ELSI) is a broad coalition of community and environmental groups working together to protect, enhance and restore Esquimalt Lagoon and the Coburg Peninsula. The university is
grateful to have the support of so many volunteers in the community protecting the ecosystems and species of the Royal Roads lands, which support
a Migratory Bird Sanctuary, sh bearing streams, rare and endangered ecosystems and species.
■ The Commemorative Statement guides all activities on campus for the Hatley Park National Historic Site and is supported by our heritage committee which includes representation from the military, acknowledging the rich history of the Royal Roads Military College. Friends of Hatley Park have dedicated many volunteer hours and funds to restoring important historical assets on the National Historic Site.
■ With so many signi cant sites on campus, there is a need for interpretative materials throughout Royal Roads University and a comprehensive “Landscape Plan” demonstrating the diversity of landscapes and ecosystems on campus. This work will be completed over the next ve years.
OUTCOME
Protecting the ecological, historical and ancestral signi cance of Royal Roads University lands and waters is essential to the university’s stewardship responsibilities and to the future well-being of all members of our community and future generations.
Sustainability Plan 9