In 2025, Sakarya University continued to promote the conservation and sustainable utilisation of terrestrial ecosystems through environmental education, hands-on planting activities, interdisciplinary outreach, and cooperation with regional organisations. Led by the Community Engagement and Sustainability Coordination Office (TOKAS), faculties, student societies and institutional partners, these activities brought together students, university staff and local stakeholders to strengthen awareness of forest protection, responsible land use, biodiversity, and climate resilience. The university combines scientific knowledge with participatory activities that support its green-campus vision and the objectives of SDG 15: Life on Land.
During Forestry Week in 2025, Sakarya University organised the “Forests and Climate Change: Protection, Sustainability and Steps for the Future” event within the Sustainable Future Meetings series, in cooperation with TOKAS, the In-Service Training Branch and student societies. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahnaz Gümrükçüoğlu Yiğit from the Department of Environmental Engineering discussed the role of forests as carbon sinks, their contribution to climate-change mitigation and the importance of sustainable forest management. The programme concluded with a practical fruit-tree planting activity involving participants, connecting environmental education with direct campus greening action.
Figure 1. Forest conservation awareness and fruit-tree planting during Sustainable Future Meetings, Sakarya University
The university expanded its practical greening efforts later in the year through the “Green Homeland” tree-planting activity of 20 November 2025, organised with Sakarya Technopark near the Fusion Incubation Centre. University management, academics, students and representatives of local authorities participated in planting saplings. The event brought institutional and community stakeholders together around environmental responsibility, campus vegetation and long-term stewardship of green areas.
Figure 2. Sakarya University and Sakarya Technopark participants supporting campus greening through the Green Homeland initiative (2025).”
In parallel, the university strengthened preparedness for threats to forest ecosystems. A forest fire prevention and response training programme held on 26 May 2025 in cooperation with the Sakarya Regional Directorate of Forestry introduced staff to fire behaviour, risk factors and response principles. The session concluded with a practical exercise, supporting institutional awareness of forest fire risks and the protection of terrestrial habitats.
On 13 May 2025, Sakarya University hosted the “Nature’s Voice and Dialogue” exhibition and sound workshop in the wooded area near SAÜ Café, as part of International Recycling Week. Organised by the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, the event brought together academic and administrative staff and students to explore the relationship between nature, creative expression and sustainability. Site-specific artworks encouraged visitors to engage with the outdoor environment, while a sound workshop led by music instructor Melda Koman featured performances using instruments created from repurposed materials.
By bringing artistic activities into a natural setting and demonstrating creative reuse, the event encouraged participants to reflect on their relationship with terrestrial environments and the importance of resource conservation. The combination of visual art, music and environmental themes offered an accessible and interdisciplinary way to promote ecological awareness across the university community.
Figure 3. Nature’s Voice and Dialogue: site-specific art and recycled-material sound workshop in the university’s wooded area
Throughout 2025, Sakarya University continued to coordinate Science&Future – The Science for Stronger Societies, supported under Horizon Europe MSCA & Citizens and implemented with regional partners. Its “Researchers at Schools” activities connected university researchers with school pupils through presentations, discussions and practical workshops on climate change, environmental challenges, sustainable resource use and science-based solutions. These activities brought knowledge on terrestrial ecosystem protection and sustainability beyond the university campus.
For example, on 21 February 2025, project researchers met pupils at Şehit Yunus Emre Ezer Middle School for workshops on carbon footprints, recycling and upcycling. On 29 April 2025, researchers delivered school-based presentations and workshops at Serdivan 15 Temmuz Şehitler Science High School on climate change, natural disasters and environmental issues, demonstrating how scientific knowledge can address societal and ecological challenges.
A further 27 May 2025 sustainable agriculture workshop delivered with Kocaeli University researchers addressed sustainable agriculture, soil degradation, desertification, erosion, responsible land-use practices and the protection of natural resources. By linking scientific concepts with the consequences of unsustainable agriculture, the activity directly contributed to awareness of sustainable land management. The project’s continued regional education work in 2025 strengthened the connection between universities, schools and communities.
Figure 4. Science&Future researchers engaging regional school pupils in climate-change, sustainable agriculture and environmental awareness activities
Sakarya University’s 2025 terrestrial ecosystem initiatives combined direct conservation-oriented activities, public engagement and interdisciplinary learning. Fruit-tree and sapling planting encouraged active participation in campus greening; forest-management and wildfire-awareness programmes strengthened knowledge relevant to forest protection; art-based activities promoted ecological reflection; and Science&Future extended sustainability education to regional schools. Taken together, these activities demonstrate the university’s continuing contribution to SDG 15 by encouraging responsible land use, environmental awareness and community participation in terrestrial ecosystem stewardship.
