RRC Polytech is proud to participate in SDG Month Canada this March, a national collaborative initiative that brings colleges and universities together to increase awareness and engagement with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a shared global framework for addressing challenges such as climate change, inequality, responsible consumption, and community well-being.

As a signatory of the SDG Accord, RRC Polytech continues to integrate sustainability across campus culture, curriculum, and institutional practices. SDG Month provides an opportunity to highlight this work and recognize the contributions of students, staff, and faculty.

SDG Student Competition

One of the highlights of the month is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Student Competition, which recognizes student projects that advance sustainability and align with one or more of the 17 SDGs.

The competition offers four cash awards:

$2,000 for Best Overall Submission
$1,000 for Top Applied Research Entry
$1,000 for Top Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Entry
$1,000 for Top Academic Assignment

Eligible projects may include course assignments, capstone projects, applied research, case studies, or independent initiatives that demonstrate impact.

Application deadline: March 24, 2026.

The SDG Student Competition is supported by Crozier Kilgour

Manitoba Gardening 101 and Planting Workshops

Growing food locally is one way individuals can take meaningful action toward sustainability.

Manitoba Gardening 101 is a hands-on workshop series hosted in collaboration with Campus Wellbeing and the Sustainability Office. Designed especially for beginners, the sessions introduce participants to practical skills such as starting seeds indoors, understanding Manitoba’s growing conditions, and selecting climate-appropriate plants.

The first session takes place on March 25 from 12:10 to 12:50 PM in the Greenhouse at the Notre Dame Campus, with additional sessions planned for April and May.

Staff and students are welcome.

Launching the SDG Community of Practice

As part of SDG Month Canada, RRC Polytech is also launching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Community of Practice for staff and faculty.

The SDG Community of Practice will bring together colleagues interested in integrating sustainability and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. The initiative will focus on topics, such as education, equity, sustainable communities, responsible consumption, climate action, and partnerships, among others, creating space for collaboration across teaching, research, and campus operations.

The first gathering will introduce the purpose of the Community of Practice and invite participants to help shape its direction moving forward.

Check Staff News for more details.

Additional SDG Month Activities and Related Events

Throughout March, members of the RRC Polytech community are invited to participate in events related to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Here are a few learning opportunities to explore:

March 5 | Wolves of Manitoba

Hosted by the Friends of the Living Prairie Museum, this in-person and virtual talk explores wolf ecology in Manitoba, including how wolves interact with their environment, select prey, and influence predator-prey dynamics. The session will share insights from recent Manitoba-based research.

This event aligns with SDG 15 Life on Land and SDG 4 Quality Education.

March 9 to 13 | RRC Polytech’s Inclusion Week

RRC Polytech’s annual Inclusion Week is a week-long series of in-person and virtual opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to strengthen equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in our classrooms, workplaces, and daily interactions.

Inclusion Week aligns with SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 5 Gender Equality, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

March 10 | Birdability Community Conversation

Each year, migratory birds travel extraordinary distances using complex navigation systems that include the Earth’s magnetic field, celestial cues, and environmental signals. This virtual Birdability session explores how and why birds migrate, while creating space for learning and connection within a community that includes blind and low-vision birders.

This event aligns with SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 13 Climate Action, and SDG 15 Life on Land.

March 24 | Keeping it Local: Co-ops as a Succession Plan for SMEs

This webinar explores how transitioning small and medium-sized businesses to employee or community ownership can provide a sustainable and values-driven approach to business succession. The session will examine cooperative ownership models, Employee Ownership Trusts, and Employee Stock Ownership Plans, and how these models help retain jobs, local expertise, and economic benefits within the community.

This event aligns with SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.

March 25 | Awards Evening – Building Envelope Design Competition

This event, taking place at RRC Polytech from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, celebrates innovation in high-performance building design in Manitoba.

The evening brings together professionals, students, and industry leaders to showcase design solutions focused on energy efficiency and sustainable building practices. Attendees will have the opportunity to view submissions, connect with others in the field, and celebrate this year’s competition winners.

This event aligns with SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 13 Climate Action.