Designing Change for a Living Planet
Over 100 post-secondary students will be designing change with WWF-Canada this spring
Over 100 post-secondary students will be designing change with WWF-Canada this spring
While Canada is home to much of the world’s last remaining intact ecosystems, it needs your help. Canadian wildlife are facing serious threats, including climate change and habitat loss. WWF-Canada is calling on Canadians to take hands-on action to help steward, protect and restore nature in communities where they live, learn and work.
Young professionals like you have important voices and perspectives. Do you have ideas that will mobilize Canadians to take action for nature? We’re calling on post-secondary students to come design and pitch their best ideas to inspire action at Designing Change for a Living Planet 2022 from June 11 – June 18.
Drawing inspiration from the everyday and your unique academic background, as a participant you will have the opportunity to:
Apply online for a spot at this year’s national event by 11:59 p.m. EDT Sunday May 29, 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by June 1, 2022 and placed on a team by WWF-Canada.
When and where is the event?
The event will be held online over three half days, including Saturday, June 11, Sunday, June 12, and Saturday, June 18, 2022.
What will each day entail?
When is the application deadline?
To be considered, students must apply by 11:59 p.m. EDT Sunday May 29, 2022.
When will successful applicants be notified?
Successful applicants will be notified by June 1, 2022, and introduced to their team before the event. All students will be updated on the status of their application by June 3, 2022.
How does the competition work?
Student teams will be given time to ideate together, create their idea and prepare a presentation. Each team will have the opportunity to present their concept to a panel of judges for the chance at the grand prize for their campus.
What is the grand prize?
The grand prize is a conservation grant for your campus that will support action that helps nature thrive. WWF-Canada will work closely with your campus to identify and support an existing or new project idea that will help protect or restore nature on your campus. Students on the team have the option of playing a role in the roll-out of the conservation project.
How long is each event day?
Approximately four hours each event day.
Is attendance at each day required?
Yes.
Who will be there?
Post-secondary students from Canadian colleges, universities, and CEGEP campuses will be in attendance, as well as campus sustainability professionals, sustainability and engagement experts from diverse sectors and WWF-Canada staff.
Who can participate?
Post-secondary students enrolled at a Canadian post-secondary institution can apply. Students from all academic disciplines (and all degree or diploma types) are welcome. No previous experience or expertise with environmental sustainability or conservation is required.
I am graduating this school year. Am I still eligible to participate?
Yes, students graduating in the 2021-2022 school year (including students completing their final post-secondary courses December 2021, April 2022, and August 2022) are eligible to apply.
What language will the event be offered in?
While the event will be delivered in English, students who wish to participate in French will be offered the resources and support needed to succeed. Students who are primarily French-speaking are encouraged to apply to participate in this event.
What previous experience is needed?
No previous experience in design competitions or knowledge of environmental sustainability or conservation is needed. All perspectives and academic backgrounds are encouraged, valued, and welcomed.
What preparation is needed?
No preparation is needed prior to the event. Everything required to successfully participate will be provided at the event.
Will extra time outside of event days be required to complete the competition?
With the exception of a short personal reflection exercise between event days, the time required to complete the competition is provided during each day of the event.
If our concept is selected, are we expected to implement our project idea?
There is no expectation that students will implement their concepts. Ideas generated will help shape and inform how Canadians can be mobilized to protect and restore habitat.
How can I join a team?
Students must apply online by 11:59 p.m. EDT Sunday, May 29, 2022, to be considered for a team. Successful applicants will be placed on a team by WWF-Canada. Prior to the event, WWF-Canada will introduce successful applicants to their teammates.
Do I create my own team?
Interested students must apply as individuals. Students are not responsible for creating their own teams.
I have a friend/group interested in applying with me. Can we be on the same team?
WWF-Canada creates multi-disciplinary student teams from the pool of applicants and cannot accommodate specific students who wish to be placed on the same team. If you know of peers interested in participating, please encourage them to apply online.
Who is on each student team?
Teams will be comprised of post-secondary students from different academic disciplines, selected by WWF-Canada. In some cases, teams may be comprised of students from different campuses.
Will Internet access be required to participate?
To participate fully, participants will require access to the Internet.
Can’t find the answer to your question? Contact us at [email protected].
Had a great time collaborating with peers interested in sustainability. We took a holistic look at an important issue and delivered recommendations to industry leaders that were well received. Thank you so much for the opportunity to collaborate for a better world!
WWF's Designing Change For a Living Planet 2018 was an incredible event put on by caring and dedicated volunteers that consisted of WWF-Canada staff, academic institutions and other organizations. This event challenges individuals to not only think outside the box and disrupt the norm but to redefine societal norms as they currently exist for a better future.
WWF's Designing Change For a Living Planet 2018 was an incredible event put on by caring and dedicated volunteers that consisted of WWF-Canada staff, academic institutions and other organizations. This event challenges individuals to not only think outside the box and disrupt the norm but to redefine societal norms as they currently exist for a better future.
Help protect threatened species and their habitats.