Updates

June 6, 2022

An inspiring update from Nancy Shackelford (Academic Director of the Restoration of Natural Systems Program at UVic):

“The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is partnering with the Society for Ecological Restoration on Make a Difference (MAD) Week. MAD Week is a now-annual week in June where groups around the world can register and report on restoration events for a global celebration – extending World Environment Day and adding a restoration focus.

A group of students out of UVic have launched a regional hub for the Week, in hopes of bringing together and honoring the thousands of volunteers and dozens of restoration organizations we have regionally. We are truly in a restoration bubble here. Last year and this year these students organized, by far, the most registered events for any one region globally. For each event, they send at least one rep with swag and cameras in hand to thank the volunteers.

We have a regional logo designed by Sarah Jim (Member of W̱SÁNEĆ Nation & Senior Crew Member for PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱) that gets used and distributed, a video that Sarika Suzuki narrated last year, and a ton of amazing participants, almost entirely due to the commitment and work of the UVic student team.

They have growing efforts around decolonial practices and protocols, but it will be a slow and thoughtful journey. I’m super proud of them, and of all their amazing work.”