Events for Land Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation

 

Events for Land Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation

Supporting Land Ecosystems Through Education and Action

Sakarya University organizes a wide range of events each year to promote the conservation and sustainable utilisation of land resources, forests, and biodiversity. These initiatives are led by the Topluma Katkı ve Sürdürülebilirlik Koordinatörlüğü (TOKAS) and supported by university clubs, local authorities, and national agencies, reflecting a strong integration of education, research, and community action.

Tree Planting and Biodiversity Activities

In 2024, multiple reforestation and biodiversity-enhancement events were held across the campus and city:

• Fruit Tree Planting Event: Organized by the Turkish Music Research and Promotion Student Community and the State Conservatory, where fruit saplings were planted in the Conservatory Garden to promote campus biodiversity and awareness of sustainable ecosystems [URL]

Figure 1: Students and faculty planting fruit trees to support biodiversity on campus.

• Forest Week Tree Planting Ceremony: Conducted with the participation of the Sakarya Governor, University Rector, and student clubs such as the Nature and Camping Club, reaffirming SAU’s commitment to forest conservation and land stewardship.

​Figure 2: “Tree planting with Sakarya Governor and students during Forest Week.”

These activities help strengthen soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem awareness among participants.

Integration of Art, Ecology, and Sustainability

To raise environmental awareness through art, Sakarya University hosted the “Nature’s Voice and Dialogue” event (May 2024), where faculty and students from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture created site-specific artworks in the forested area near SAÜ Café. The event blended artistic expression with ecological reflection, featuring sculptures made from recycled materials and a sound performance using eco-instruments. [URL]

Figure 3: “Art students creating installations in the forested area during Nature’s Voice and Dialogue.”

 

Turkey Environment Week (June 2024)

Under the motto “We Have One World”, the Sustainability Office organized activities with SAÜ Foundation School students to foster awareness on sustainable land use and biodiversity.
Key actions included:

• Building bee and insect hotels, birdhouses, and feeding stations to support pollinators and wild birds.
• Field demonstration of the campus water irrigation system sourced from spring reservoirs, highlighting sustainable landscape management.
• Awareness sessions on water conservation and sustainable land resources led by faculty experts. [URL]

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Figure 4: “Elementary students constructing bee hotels and birdhouses during Environment Week.”

These actions illustrate SAU’s engagement in early-stage environmental education for the community.

Science&Future – The Science for Stronger Societies Project (2024–2026)

Coordinated by Sakarya University under the EU Horizon-MSCA programme, this project conducts awareness events in schools across Sakarya, Düzce, and Kocaeli to teach sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity protection.
Events titled “Researchers in Schools” involve interactive workshops and presentations on ecosystem balance, renewable energy, and land management.

• Example schools: SAÜ Foundation School, Gebze Alaettin Kurt Anatolian High School, Düzce Turgut Özal Anatolian High School, Nazmiye Ömer Sözer Middle School.  [URL]

Figure 5: “University researchers delivering sustainability workshops in regional schools under the Science&Future Project.”

These educational outreach programs connect scientific knowledge with practical conservation actions, directly aligning with SDG 15.

Summary of Impact

Through its integrated programmes — combining tree planting, creative engagement, and science outreach — Sakarya University fosters a culture of land stewardship both within and beyond campus.
Each activity reinforces sustainable land utilisation, strengthens community participation, and demonstrates the university’s leadership in terrestrial ecosystem conservation.