UVic School of Environmental Studies

09/09/2026

Can meditation, ritual, and contemplative practice help us build more just societies?

A new book co-edited by our James Rowe explores how contemplative practices intersect with activism, democracy, decolonization, human rights, disability justice, and social movements.

Learn more:

Mindfulness is now a zeitgeist. The mainstreaming of mindfulness – what Time Magazine calls the “mindful revolution” – is being powered by research documenting the physical and mental health benefits of meditation. Like most revolutions, the mindful revolution is composed of multiple, compet...

09/08/2026

Orange Shirt Day asks more of us than remembrance alone.

It calls on us to listen, learn, reflect, and take action toward reconciliation.

On September 29, the UVic community will gather to honour Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and renew our commitment to a more just future. 🧡

Learn more:

UVic is committed to reconciliation. We're working to foster truth, respect and mutual understanding with all Indigenous peoples and communities. You can partner in the work of reconciliation by…

09/02/2026

What happens when a century-old photograph meets climate change?

Drawing on images from UVic's Mountain Legacy Project, researchers are documenting how landscapes have transformed over the past 100+ years—and how climate change is creating ecological conditions with no historical precedent.

Read more:

As temperatures continue to rise, scientists are witnessing the emergence of ecological conditions with no historical precedent.

08/26/2026

Some of the most meaningful learning happens outside the classroom.

Through Indigenous-led marine research, UVic students are gaining hands-on experience while supporting projects rooted in community priorities, stewardship, and reciprocal relationships.

It's an example of how research can be strengthened when it is guided by respect, collaboration, and Indigenous leadership.

Read the full story:

Kinoogeix Mikki Mitchell spent a summer studying cultural, ceremonial and food harvests as part of the UVic Sustainability Scholars program.

08/19/2026

A barred owl checking out our ES staff member on her break. They're often seen in the beautiful campus Finnerty Gardens!

08/18/2026

🤖 AI. Chatbots. Surveillance pricing. Naturemaxxing. AI slop.

What do these have to do with environmental studies?

Quite a lot, actually.

New for Fall 2026, ES 480 A02: Nature & Technology asks students to examine how technologies carry values, organize power, and reshape our relationships with nature—and with one another.

📅 Tuesdays, 2:30–5:20
👨‍🏫 Prof. Eric Higgs
🌱 ES 480 A02

08/17/2026

Looks like orientation has started. 🦌

A local mom was spotted giving her twins a campus tour this week, covering the essentials:
• best grazing spots
• quiet study areas
• how to avoid 8:30 a.m. classes

We assume they'll be applying to Environmental Studies.

08/12/2026

From UVic to France 🇨🇦➡️🇫🇷

Our Terroir Field School has wrapped after an incredible program exploring how geology, climate, agriculture, culture, and history shape the meaning of place.

Students learned in vineyards, farms, salt marshes, caves, markets, and historic landscapes — the kind of classroom that changes every day.

07/29/2026

How do successful campaigns grow? What can land defence movements teach us about organizing for climate justice?

Join Indigenous Climate Action, Research for the Front Lines, and UVic's Transformative Climate Action program for the first event in the Organizing Climate Futures webinar series.

This conversation features Sleydo' Molly Wickham, Jesse Stoeppler, and Tia Kennedy, who will share insights from Indigenous organizing and land defence, exploring how movements are creating pathways toward more just and livable climate futures.

📅 Aug 13
🕛 12:00–1:30 PM PT

Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EDU8nj2vRHGdBqYmda95aA

We hope you'll join us for what promises to be a thoughtful and inspiring discussion.