Dzʿ

Skip to the content Skip to search
Menu

Dzʿ community has now identified 1,000 species on campus!

October 10th, 2024

The Dzʿ community has now reached the goal of identifying 1,000 species on our downtown Montreal urban campus!

One of the species identified was the Red-Shouldered Hawk, photographed by Doug Smyth (Faculty, Physical Education).

Students, graduates, faculty and staff gained so much from the project.

Dzʿ Environmental Science graduate Ruisi Yang said: "This project boosted my confidence in the potential of making urban environments more sustainable and friendly to both people and the local biodiversity."

Current Dzʿ student Graham Alain said: "This project made me realize how many species could truly make use of such a small area. I would've initially guessed that fewer than 200 species would've inhabited the campus...This project will hopefully have an impact on how I treat my local environment, such as my lawn and back yard. I'm rethinking how important these places are..."

Teacher Adamo Petosa said: "We are surrounded by something extraordinary. We simply have to take the time to explore. Taking part in this project was akin to finding the key to "a secret garden", waiting to share its secrets. We are not alone on campus. Rather, we are less than one in a thousand.

"The 1000 species project gives hope. In the midst of concrete and traffic, exhaust and bustle, a tiny campus besieged by a battalion of buildings manages to sustain life at a scale I could have never fathomed. Over 1,000 species here, within this tiny oasis - living, growing and thriving. I'm also incredibly grateful to those who made such a campus possible and to those who ensure its upkeep."

More to come on the impact of this extraordinary project that has inspired Dzʿ and many outside of Dzʿ to connect to Nature.


Four bat species added to 1,000 species count

September 26th, 2024

Possibly Dzʿ’s first ever Bat Walk took place on Sept. 5, which led to a few more species being added to the 1,000 Species in 1,000 Days goal. The FUNmtl team, which led the activity, brought speakers that pick up the frequency of bat calls and can identify the species. Around 25 people came, including people from the external community and students. We were able to identify four species, the silver-haired bat, hoary bat, eastern red bat and big brown bat! A very exciting night for our biodiversity count!  The picture shows the speaker attached to an iPad so that we could see the bat calls and know when to look up to see them.

─Submitted by Narcisse Waiel Hassan of the Office of Sustainability  


332 students and staff fed by Dzʿ Dinin’ in first week

September 12th, 2024

There were already 40 containers dropped off for Dzʿ Dinin’ by 8:30 AM on Sept. 10, the first day of the free lunchtime service for this school year.

One-hundred and ninety-two free vegan meals were distributed at the two lunchtime services on Sept. 10 and 11 and another 140 people enjoyed an Early Bird Breakfast on Sept. 12.

“The DSU and the Office of Sustainability see this as simple measure of what students need to support their academic success. We had roughly 6 or 7 student volunteers who showed up to work hard and feed their peers!” reported Diana Rice of the Office of Sustainability.

“We would like to thank all of the faculty and staff members who helped spread the word to students who need this service. We appreciate you helping us to help our community! Remember, we love all our volunteers, including employees, so feel free to join the love of community and make well-being for yourself and students a part of your day at Dzʿ.”

Dzʿ Dinin’ is every Tuesday and Wednesday and is offered to all students and employees who drop off their reusable container by 11 AM at Conrod’s (2F). Early Bird Breakfast is every Thursday at 10 AM in Conrod’s and breakfast is served on a first-come, first-served basis.

To volunteer, contact Diana Rice, Office of Sustainability.


It’s Butterfly Season at Dzʿ!

September 12th, 2024

In offices and learning spaces across the campus, homes of employees and schools connected to the Dzʿ community, Painted Lady butterflies are emerging this week creating a sense of wonder and connection to Nature and strengthening the community through sharing this special experience.

After a year hiatus, Dzʿ’s Office of Sustainability was delighted to distribute 425 Painted Lady caterpillars. Another 325 moved into the new Butterfly Nursery built by Industrial Design students and faculty in the rooftop garden.

This photo was taken by Natalie Trepanier of Student Services, who released her butterfly on Sept. 11 in the Peace Garden. If you fostered/are fostering butterflies, please share your photos and stories with commsoffice@dawsoncollege.qc.ca and sustainability@dawsoncollege.qc.ca


Coffee & Zero Waste Kitchen Workshops

September 11th, 2024

The Office of Sustainability will host Coffee & Zero Waste Kitchen Workshops on every second Monday, beginning Sept. 16. We will offer free coffee from 10 AM – 12 PM as well as a workshop in Conrod's kitchen. Bring your own mug or cup, we will supply the coffee!

The first workshop hosted by Diana Rice will be: "Teas, Spices & More! The many uses of your indoor or garden herbs!" We will talk about drying herbs and flowers, and all the different things you can do with them to reduce your kitchen and garden waste! Everyone will get to bring home something to dry and use at home after the workshop. To reserve your spot please click on the form:

We will hold seven sessions, Sept. 16, Oct. 14, Oct. 28, Nov. 11, Nov 25, and Dec 9. Should you be interested in hosting one of these workshops, we have two available spots for anyone interested in sharing their knowledge with the community that helps reduce waste and shows how we can individually contribute to climate action!

We look forward to see you there!

-Submitted by Diana Rice


Dzʿ butterfly news

August 29th, 2024

In the outdoor courtyard beside Conrod’s on the second floor, a new butterfly nursery is being constructed by students. The first iteration of a structure was created by Adam Kingsland’s mechanical engineering class, and then another version was designed by Kim Webb’s Industrial Design class.

A prototype was constructed from cardboard first and designs reviewed by the students. Now a cedar frame is held together by laser printed custom joints made at Dzʿ. The students and teachers have created a truly wonderful new home for Dzʿ’s butterflies.

Staff are invited to participate in our Butterfly Foster Program, back this year! 750 painted lady caterpillars are being fostered by the Dzʿ community at Dzʿ in the butterfly nursery, in student spaces and offices and in homes of employees.

To get your butterfly kit:

  • Come to 4A.0 (on the fourth floor between A & B wings near the Sherbrooke St. side) on Tuesday, Sept. 3 from 10 AM-12 PM & 1 PM -3 PM
  • First come, first served
  • For more info: contact sustainability@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

To visit the outdoor butterfly nursery:


Read more about: More free meals at Dzʿ for students and employees

More free meals at Dzʿ for students and employees

August 28th, 2024

The Office of Sustainability, the Dzʿ Student Union, the Dzʿ Peace Centre and Student Services are proud to bring food justice to our community with the aim of living the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of #nohunger locally while meeting our College wide value Well-being for All. On Sept.10, Dzʿ Dinin’ (Free Vegan Meals) returns…

Join a campus Bat Walk on Sept. 5

August 28th, 2024

As part of the 1,000 Species in 1,000 Days initiative, the Office of Sustainability is organizing a Bat Walk on Thursday night, Sept. 5 at 8 PM. The meet-up spot is in front of the main doors on de Maisonneuve Blvd: 4001 de Maisonneuve West.

If you would like to join, please email Brian Mader.


Six staff & professionals completed Sustainable Happiness

May 23rd, 2024

Facilitators Azra Khan and Jenn de Vera led another group of support staff and professionals in the Sustainable Happiness non-credit course. Congrats to our new SH grads of Winter 2024!

In the photo from left to right, here are the grads and their final projects:

  • Azra Khan (HR, SH Facilitator)
  • Liam Barnes (Industrial Design): Multicultural potluck with Industrial Design students
  • Anne-Marie Marko (Library): Created music playlist with song ideas from Dzʿ community, posted board in library/partnered with Julien who also works in the library
  • Skyler Charlie Hudon (CLEO): Wellness pomodoro workshops
  • Anastasia Tzeckas (Finance): Community Coffee break for Finance and Social Science & Business Technology departments (partnered with Santa).
  • Santa Di Stefano (Social Science & Business Technology): Community Coffee break for Finance and Social Science & Business Technology (partnered with Anastasia)
  • Julien Procuta (Library): Created music playlist with song ideas from Dzʿ community, posted board in library/partnered with Anne-Marie who also works in the library
  • Jenn de Vera (Office of Sustainability, SH facilitator)

Six faculty members completed Sustainable Happiness

May 23rd, 2024

Facilitator Holly McIntyre led a group of faculty members through the Sustainable Happiness non-credit course pioneered at Dzʿ. Congrats to our first SH faculty grads!

In the photo from left to right, here are the Winter 2024 SH grads along with their projects:

  • Holly McIntyre (Phys ed, SH facilitator)
  • Richard Montreuil (Department Chair, Phys ed): Created a student survey to understand what makes students happy in Phys. Ed. classes and shared results with the group and his department
  • Cory Deegan ( Ed.): Adding SH activities and reflections to his Phys. Ed. courses
  • Caroline Haddad ( Ed.): (with Layal) Put up a gratitude board in the hallway, provided to the community ways of feeling and expressing gratitude, and hosted a Phys. Ed. gratitude coffee and snack break to share gratitude
  • Paul Wasacz ( Ed.): Planting three sisters with his Phys. Ed. class to prepare for the new Indigenous garden and arranging for students to take care of the seedlings
  • Layal Nakhlé ( Ed.) (with Caroline): Put up a gratitude board in the hallway, provided to the community ways of feeling and expressing gratitude, and hosted a Phys. Ed. gratitude coffee and snack break to share gratitude
  • Brian Mader (Program Co-Coordinator of Environmental Science,Biology): Ran a Bioblitz to identify species on campus

1 2 3 24

Last Modified: October 10, 2024

 

Back to Top