Biodiversity is essential for the natural world. It keeps ecosystems in balance and allows species to live and grow together. For humans it provides food, clean air, and water, and supports our well-being. The Biodiversity in Manitoba is unique, bringing together prairies, boreal forest, and tundra, along with wetlands, rivers, and lakes. This mix creates a home for thousands of plants, animals, and fungi.

At RRC Polytech, we know how important this is, which is why we are excited to join two new initiatives: the Campus Biodiversity Network and the 2025 Campus Nature Challenge. Both are opportunities for students and staff to connect with nature, learn about local species, and take part in research that reaches beyond our campus.

Campus Biodiversity Network

By joining this network, RRC Polytech will connect with other colleges and universities across Canada that are working to highlight and protect biodiversity. The network builds biodiversity profiles for campuses and also contributes to international research on urban green spaces.

Through this work, we want to:

• Build community through a shared focus on biodiversity
• Raise awareness about local wildlife and conservation
• Encourage small but meaningful actions for sustainability
• Create clear biodiversity profiles for our campuses
• Add our voice to international research on urban biodiversity

How to participate: iNaturalist

We will be using the iNaturalist app to collect observations on the Notre Dame Campus. It is easy to use and a fun way to get involved:

• Take a photo of any plant or animal you see on campus
• Share your observations with the iNaturalist community
• Learn more about the species around you with help from others

To view what species have already been observed at the Notre Dame Campus, visit our project page.

2025 Campus Nature Challenge

From September 21 to 28, 2025, campuses across Canada will take part in the 2025 Campus Nature Challenge, a week-long “bioblitz” to record as many species as possible. RRC Polytech will join from the Notre Dame Campus.

To kick things off, the Office of Sustainability will host a Nature Walk on Monday, September 22, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. We will meet in the main hall of the STTC building at the Notre Dame Campus, and from there we will walk around campus, make observations together, and share information about local biodiversity.

If you would like to participate, we encourage you to register in advance to let us know you are coming. Registration is not required, and walk-up participants are also welcome. Also, we recommend downloading the iNaturalist app before the event, but it is not mandatory.

September 22 to 26, is also Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week on campus. RRC Polytech recognizes Indigenous people as the original and ongoing stewards of this land. Around the world more than 80% of biodiversity is stewarded by Indigenous communities. We encourage all interested participants to also explore the Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Week workshops and events schedule.

If you have any questions, comments, or would like more information, please write to us at sustainability@rrc.ca