HOW IT WORKS

Living Planet @ Campus is WWF-Canada’s national program engaging post-secondary students from any Canadian college, university or CÉGEP to take action for nature on campus and in their community. Student participants create a login and can participate in a suite of activities ranging from raising awareness to taking conservation action. Participants log their actions, demonstrating the impact that students can make in helping nature to thrive. Post-secondary students can get recognition for their participation by completing the program’s Living Planet Leader student certification.

Living Planet Leader is WWF-Canada’s self-guided certification for post-secondary students. Students can make it their own, participating in opportunities on campus and in the community to make a difference for nature. Upon completion, students can add the certification to their resume and LinkedIn profile, recognizing their achievements in environmental sustainability.

To qualify, students must complete actions in:

• Campus, community or global volunteerism
• Personal application of sustainability
• Application of sustainability in academics
• Leadership and teamwork

Students must complete and submit all requirements within three months after graduating from their final semester.

Learn more about the Living Planet Leader certification

Canadian colleges, universities and CÉGEPs can collaborate with the Living Planet @ Campus program by becoming a WWF-Canada Campus Partner.

A WWF-Canada Campus Partner under a three-year MOU collaborates with WWF-Canada to deliver conservation and engagement activities to students, staff and faculty through the Living Planet @ Campus program, bringing to life initiatives offered by the Living Planet @ Campus program each academic year.

Campus Partners are provided with administrative access to students registered for the Living Planet @ Campus program and to student submissions related to Living Planet @ Campus activities and the Living Planet Leader student certification. Campus Partners have the opportunity to promote related environmental campus initiatives to our registered students.

A WWF-Canada Campus Partner who completes the annual requirements is eligible for our WWF-Canada Living Campus certification.

• Align your campus with recognized global conservation experts.
• Connect your campus sustainability efforts to conservation action.
• Be recognized for your engagement and conservation impacts through our campus certification for WWF-Canada Campus Partners.
• Help achieve your student, staff and faculty engagement goals with our brand, suite of activities, and access to Living Planet @ Campus students at your institution.
• Gain administrative access to our Living Planet @ Campus program platform, where you can view and connect with students signed up from your campus.
• Raise awareness of WWF-Canada’s Living Planet Leader student certification and gain the opportunity to recruit Living Planet @ Campus students to participate in your campus initiatives.
• Take advantage of our unique suite of WWF activities including Earth Hour, the Designing Change for a Living Planet student competition, Go Wild Grants to kickstart campus projects, and more.
• Access WWF conservation and biodiversity experts.
• Access opportunities exclusive to WWF-Canada Campus Partners.
• Advance your professional development through both program delivery and learning opportunities with the WWF-Canada Campus Partners network while shaping and informing the program with WWF-Canada staff.

Each year of our partnership, Campus Partners must:

• Create opportunities for students, staff and/or faculty to learn about and participate in the Living Planet @ Campus program
• Lead at least one conservation activity
• Lead at least one WWF engagement activity
• Help to shape and inform the program as part of our network of WWF-Canada Campus Partners

WWF-Canada Campus Partners complete and submit an Annual Action Plan, outlining how they will achieve the four partnership requirements. Each academic year before the end of June, requirements are to be completed and activities and achievements submitted to WWF-Canada via an Annual Final Report.

A Campus Partner who successfully completes the year’s requirements in accordance with their Annual Action Plan is eligible for the WWF-Canada Living Campus certification.

• Review our WWF-Canada Campus Partnership & Certification requirements  and this FAQs page
  • Other recommended learning resources include:
    • About WWF-Canada’s Living Planet @ Campus program
    • About WWF-Canada’s Living Planet Leader student certification
    • Guide to Conservation Activities for WWF-Canada Campus Partners
    • Guide to WWF Engagement Activities for WWF-Canada Campus Partners
• Submit your Request to Partner with WWF-Canada form
• Our team will contact you to begin next steps, including the development of your:
  • Annual Action Plan, outlining how you will deliver the Living Planet @ Campus program
  • Three-year MOU with WWF-Canada

Partnership between WWF-Canada and a Canadian post-secondary campus is three years under an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). During this time, Campus Partners can work towards the annual certification. After the three years, the partnership agreement can be renewed, allowing Campus Partners to continue being eligible for certification.

No. There is no fee for campus partnership

WWF-Canada Campus Partners who complete all four requirements of their MOU as outlined in their Annual Action Plan, including:

• Creating opportunities for students, staff and/or faculty to learn about and participate in the Living Planet @ Campus program;
• Leading at least one conservation activity;
• Leading at least one WWF engagement activity; and
• Helping to shape and inform the program as part of our network of WWF-Canada Campus Partners;

are eligible to obtain campus certification where they are recognized as a WWF-Canada Living Campus.

WWF-Canada Campus Partners achieving certification status will:

• Be recognized as a WWF-Canada Living Campus and celebrated through WWF-Canada communications channels, including on our website, in an announcement, and in other communications opportunities as they arise.
• Hold the certification status for the following academic year; for example, successful WWF Campus Partners submitting for certification status at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year will hold and celebrate their certification throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.
• Receive an official digital certification badge and press kit used to celebrate your achievements on campus channels.

WWF-Canada Campus Partners who complete the requirements and are recognized as a WWF-Canada Living Campus with our certification are:

• Recognized for campus engagement and conservation impacts
• Highlighted on our WWF-Canada website
• Celebrated on WWF-Canada social channels, in our public fall announcement and more
• Provided with an exclusive WWF-Canada certification badge to celebrate the achievement on campus channels, including institutional websites

Only WWF-Canada Campus Partners are eligible for the campus certification.

WWF-Canada Campus Partners who complete the four annual requirements of their MOU are eligible to obtain the WWF-Canada Living Campus certification. At the end of June when Campus Partners submit their Annual Final Report, they can submit for certification status. If confirmed, Campus Partners hold their certification status for the following academic year. Each year of partnership, Campus Partners can be eligible for certification status when annual requirements are met.

Is your campus interested in our campus certification, but not a current Campus Partner? Complete and submit the “Request to Partner with WWF” form to get started as a WWF-Canada Campus Partner and become eligible for certification.

Express your interest with our Request to Partner with WWF-Canada form . Our team will connect with you on next steps, including the completion of an Annual Action Plan and signing of a partnership agreement.

Any Canadian college, university or CÉGEP can become a WWF-Canada Campus Partner. Once an institution becomes a Campus Partner, they can begin working towards their certification.

To be eligible for campus certification, your post-secondary institution must first be a WWF-Canada Campus Partner.

To become a WWF-Canada Campus Partner:

• Review this FAQ page and our WWF Campus Partnership & Certification Requirements [link out to: resource.
• Submit your Request to Partner with WWF-Canada form
• Our team will contact you to begin next steps, including the development of your:
  • Annual Action Plan, outlining how you will deliver the Living Planet @ Campus program
  • Three-year MOU with WWF-Canada

For each year of your three-year Campus Partnership MOU, your campus will:

• Develop and submit an Annual Action Plan outlining how you will deliver the four partnership requirements:
  • Create opportunities for students, staff and/or faculty to learn about and participate in the Living Planet @ Campus program
  • Lead at least one conservation activity
  • Lead at least one WWF-Canada engagement activity
  • Help to shape and inform the program with our network of Campus Partners
    • Participation in Lunch and Learns, surveys, our Annual Strategic Planning Meetings, contributing case studies, joining committees when available, etc.
• Implement your Annual Action Plan
• Submit an Annual Final Report, celebrating your achievements with WWF-Canada
  • This is when you can request campus certification status

WWF-Canada Campus Partners achieving certification status will:

• Be recognized as a WWF-Canada Living Campus and celebrated on WWF-Canada’s communications channels, including on our website, in an announcement and through other communications opportunities as they arise
• Hold the certification status for the following academic year (For example, successful Campus Partners submitting for certification status at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year will hold and celebrate their certification throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.)
• Receive an official digital certification badge and press kit used to celebrate your achievements on campus channels

At the end of the three-year MOU, Campus Partners can continue their journey with WWF-Canada, renewing the campus partnership for an additional three years. These Campus Partners will continue to be eligible for certification status.

2023-2024 academic year (August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024):

• At least 30 days before MOU is signed (October 31, 2023, at the latest): 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan due
• November 30, 2023: Deadline to become a WWF-Canada Campus Partner under MOU. Any campuses signing the MOU after this date will be considered a partner for the 2024-2025 academic year
• June 28, 2024: Deadline to complete 2023-2024 partnership requirements
• June 28, 2024: Deadline to submit Annual Final Report (and request certification status, if applicable)
• July 1 – July 19, 2024: Certification requests reviewed by WWF-Canada
• End of July: Campuses notified of certification status by WWF-Canada
• August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025: Certification status held by successful WWF-Canada Campus Partners (confidential until WWF-Canada public announcement in September 2024)

2024-2025 academic year (August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025):

• August 30, 2024: 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan due for existing WWF-Canada Campus Partners
• At least 30 days before MOU signed (October 31, 2024, at the latest): Deadline for new campuses to submit Annual Action Plan
• November 29, 2024: Deadline to become a new WWF-Canada Campus Partner under MOU
• June 30, 2025: Deadline to complete 2024-2025 requirements
• June 30, 2025: Deadline to submit Annual Final Report (and request certification status if applicable)
• July 1 – July 18, 2025: Certification requests reviewed by WWF-Canada
• End of July: Campuses notified of certification status by WWF-Canada
• August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026: Certification status held by successful Campus Partners (confidential until WWF-Canada public announcement September 2025)

2025-2026 academic year (August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026):

• August 29, 2025: 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan due for existing WWF-Canada Campus Partners
• At least 30 days before MOU signed (October 31, 2025, at the latest): Deadline to submit Annual Action Plan (new campuses)
• November 28, 2025: Deadline to become a WWF-Canada Campus Partner under MOU
• June 30, 2026: Deadline to complete 2025-2026 requirements
• June 30, 2026: Deadline to submit Annual Final Report (and request certification status if applicable)
• July 1 – July 17, 2026: Certification requests reviewed by WWF-Canada
• End of July: Campuses notified of certification status by WWF-Canada
• August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027: Certification status held by successful Campus Partners (confidential until WWF-Canada public announcement September 2026)

WWF-Canada Campus Partners must report on activities carried out from August 1 to June 30.

When the requirements are completed and submitted before the June deadline each year and the status is approved by WWF-Canada, the certification is valid for the following academic year from August 1 until July 31 (one academic year).

At the end of the three-year MOU, Campus Partners can continue their journey with WWF-Canada, renewing the campus partnership for another three years. These Campus Partners will continue to be eligible for certification status.

No. To be eligible for our campus certification, your institution must be a WWF-Canada Campus Partner.

Yes. Any Canadian post-secondary institution can become a WWF-Canada Campus Partner. Any Campus Partner can be eligible for certification during the partnership, if interested.

No. There is no fee for certification

Kickstart your journey by completing our Request to Partner with WWF-Canada form. This is your opportunity to tell us more about your campus, its achievements and goals, and why you would like to partner with WWF-Canada.

Upon receipt, someone from WWF-Canada will contact you with information on next steps, including how to get started on your annual Action Plan, and provide our three-year MOU for you to review and sign.

Each year of our three-year MOU, WWF-Canada Campus Partners have the opportunity to create their individualized campus plan on how they will bring the Living Planet @ Campus program and the MOU requirements to life. This enables each Campus Partner to make the program their own to best support campus needs and goals. The Annual Action Plan outlines how you will:

• Create opportunities for students, staff and faculty to learn more about the Living Planet @ Campus Program
• Lead one conservation activity
• Lead one WWF engagement activity
• Help to shape and inform the program with our network of WWF-Canada Campus Partners
  • Participating in lunch and learns, surveys and our annual strategic planning meetings; contributing case studies; joining committees when available; etc.

To meet MOU requirements, each existing and prospective WWF-Canada Campus Partner must:

• Create opportunities for students, staff and faculty to learn more about the Living Planet @ Campus Program. This can include promotion of the Living Planet @ Campus program through different campus in-person and digital channels
• Lead one conservation activity
• Lead one WWF engagement activity
• Help to shape and inform the program with our network of WWF-Canada Campus Partners
  • Participating in lunch and learns, surveys and our annual strategic planning meetings; contributing case studies; joining committees when available; etc.

Each year of the MOU, a WWF-Canada Campus Partner must lead at least one conservation activity. Review our Conservation Activities for WWF Campus Partners Guide to learn more.

Each year of the MOU, a WWF Campus Partner must lead at least one WWF engagement activity. This can include leading a BioBlitz/biological inventory event, an informational session/workshop on WWF-Canada’s Living Planet Leader student certification, or a WWF Earth Hour event or campaign for campus students, staff and/or faculty. Review our Engagement Activities for WWF Campus Partners Guide to learn more.

All WWF-Canada Campus Partners must submit an Annual Action Plan to be eligible for continued partnership. When a campus successfully carries out their unique Annual Action Plan and submits their Annual Final Report, the Campus Partner will be eligible for our campus certification.

Yes. Your Annual Action Plan reflects your plans for the academic year in accordance with your partnership requirements. Completing an Annual Action Plan each year will give your campus the opportunity to be flexible and adapt your partnership deliverables to address changing needs or strategic directions of your campus.

Your first Annual Action Plan must be submitted at least 30 days before the signing of your three-year MOU with WWF-Canada. For each following academic year during partnership, the Annual Action Plan must be submitted by end of August for that academic year (where each academic year runs from August 1 to July 31).

Yes. All requirements must be completed and submitted before end of June of that academic year (see Important Dates for Campus Partnership & Certification  for exact dates).

The link to the online Annual Final Report form will be emailed to all WWF-Canada Campus Partners.

WWF-Canada Campus Partners have from August 1 to the end of June (approximately one academic year) to complete the annual requirements and submit their Annual Final Report to be eligible for the certification.

Campus Partners complete and submit an online Annual Final Report provided by WWF-Canada, in which they can also request certification status.

WWF-Canada will review your report against the requirements of the partnership MOU. Campus Partners who have successfully met the criteria through the activities carried out on campus for the year will be awarded the certification. All Campus Partners will be notified by WWF-Canada on the status of their certification application by the end of July.

Successful Campus Partners will have time to prepare communications before WWF-Canada launches a public announcement of certified campuses.

WWF-Canada Campus Partners who have requested certification through their Annual Final Report at the end of June will be notified by WWF-Canada on their status by the end of July.

Reports submitted by WWF-Canada Campus Partners are not publicly accessible at this time. Impacts submitted by Campus Partners in their report will be celebrated through WWF-Canada’s communications channels to recognize campus achievements.

Yes. Reports undergo a review process to determine if certification status is awarded. Campus Partners will be contacted by WWF-Canada to confirm if certification requirements have been met.

Campus Partners will receive access to resources on WWF-Canada’s Living Planet @ Campus website, as well as a resource platform exclusive to Campus Partners.

Consider connecting with local campus and community experts to support your program to see how they can assist with different parts of your program delivery. These campus and community members may include professors, researchers, environmental student clubs/associations, student engagement office, co-curricular record team, local environmental organizations, conservation authorities, businesses or your municipality.

Your campus certification will be made available to you in a digital format once your certification status has been achieved.

The Living Planet @ Campus student engagement program, the WWF-Canada Campus Partners program and the certification for WWF-Canada Campus Partners are all available in English and French.

WWF-Canada campus partnership and certification are only available to Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Not at this time. WWF-Canada’s Living Planet @ Campus program, its partnerships, and the campus certification are only available to Canadian post-secondary institutions. Please see WWF-Canada’s Living Planet @ School for the opportunities we offer to primary, middle and secondary schools in Canada.