Campus projects receive support from Laurier’s Sustainable Hawk Fund

July 21, 2022

Ten new green projects will take root on Wilfrid Laurier University’s campuses with funding support from the Sustainable Hawk Fund.  

Established in 2015, the Sustainable Hawk Fund provides up to $30,000 annually to fund the integration of faculty, staff and student-led sustainability practices into campus life.  Previously funded projects include campus gardens, sustainable apparel and art installations, among others.  

“The Sustainable Hawk Fund program provides the opportunity to build and maintain a culture of sustainability at Laurier,” said Eric Meliton, manager of Laurier’s Sustainability Office. “The projects initiated through the fund leave a positive, long-lasting legacy for faculty, staff and students with a collective dedication to sustainability.”  

Project pitches are judged by Laurier’s sustainable campus committee. 

The Sustainable Hawk Fund will support the following 10 projects throughout 2022 and early 2023:  

Laurier Beehives 

The Laurier Beehives Project aims to address declining honeybee populations by providing managed colonies at the One Market Building on Laurier’s Brantford campus. The project invites Laurier students to volunteer caring for the colonies and learn about pollinators and their importance in the ecosystem. Laurier-farmed honey will also be produced. 

Food Justice Garden Engagement Campaign 

The Food Justice Garden Engagement Campaign will create awareness about the Food Justice Garden initiative at Laurier’s Waterloo campus and focus on Indigenous ways of knowing, fostering relationships and providing practical gardening skills to make the garden a learning space for the entire community. The campaign will include drop-in planting days, walking tours and permanent educational signage.  

Green Campus Project 

The Green Campus Project will assess feasibility, design and implementation to create a more sustainable means of stormwater management at Laurier’s Waterloo campus. The project will introduce green infrastructure, including rain gardens and permeable pavement.  

Food4Hawks Meal Workshop Series 

The Food4Hawks Meal Workshop Series will provide Laurier students, staff and faculty with online cooking workshops focused on sustainability. Ingredients will be provided to participants, who will be shown how to prepare a variety of meals while learning about food insecurity, food sovereignty and food literacy.  

Sustainable Happiness Certificate 

The Sustainable Happiness Certificate will be awarded to faculty, staff and students who complete a non-credit course developed by Laurier Education instructor Judy Halpern. Course participants will learn about various topics related to sustainability and create a happiness toolkit and reflective journal. In-person and online offerings of the Sustainable Happiness Certificate are in development. 

Reusable Food Distro Bags  

The Reusable Food Distro Bags Project aims to reduce the number of plastic bags destined for landfills by providing the Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group with reusable tote bags for its weekly food distribution event at Martin Luther University College.  

Nurture Pack Do-It-Yourself Workshops 

The Nurture Pack Do-It-Yourself Workshops campaign provides ergonomic, transportable and food-safe storage packs to unhoused and displaced members of the Brantford community. The campaign invites Laurier students to assist in the assembly of the packs and learn about sustainability through workshops. 

Appcycle 

The Appcycle Project seeks to improve waste management systems in institutions, businesses and public spaces. The project features two components: the development of an app to educate users about recycling streams and the creation of waste bins that scan items to determine their appropriate waste stream. 

Sustainability Week  

Held at Laurier’s Waterloo campus from Feb. 28 to March 7, 2022, Sustainability Week raised awareness about a series of sustainability issues through themed events including trivia, a movie night, donation drive and scavenger hunt.  

Microplastics Week Campaign  


The Microplastics Week Campaign, an online initiative held in March 2022, educated the Laurier community about the source of microplastics and their impact on the environment. The campaign included interactive events designed to raise awareness and facilitate discussion about microplastics, including virtual discussions with Canadian experts.