Dalhousie University
PAE-19: Community Sustainability Partnerships

In the College of Sustainability, sustainability partnerships with the community are of two kinds, capacity-building, and curriculum-based. Capacity-building partnerships take the form of internships within the College office funded by community and government agencies (YMCA, Eco-Canada, others), with a mission to develop linkages among community agencies, and between agencies and the College. Outcomes to date include a report on Food Services and the Dalhousie Community; an inventory of sustainability-oriented community agencies and their activities; and a proposal for a network of agencies offering programs in youth leadership for sustainability along with an outline of an immersive education experience for youth in “urban sustainability issues.” Curriculum-based partnerships include:- • community-oriented research in SUST 2000 Humanity in the Natural Environment: An introduction to problem-based learning; • community agency internships in SUST 3002 Environment, Sustainability & Society Internship; • and community-based research and project work in SUST 4000 Environment, Sustainability & Society Capstone. The co-curricular Certificate in Sustainability Leadership includes community participation in the weekend workshops, and student participation in community service learning activities. Additionally, Dalhousie's partnership activities pursued through the Envision Kentville‘ ICSP process included Dalhousie University's Cities & Environment Unit. A trial engagement session was held between the CEU & Town of Kentville council and staff on the topic of downtown public space, specifically Centre Square.