The Trent Board of Governors approved the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan at their February meeting. Three community members spoke to challenge the approval, grad student Matt Dutry, the TCSA’s Jocelyn Whalen, and Elder Dorothy Taylor. The speakers argued that the Plan should not be approved, citing issues during the consultation process, and students feeling confused and uninformed. Elder Taylor, a member of Curve Lake First Nation explicitly asked the Board not to approve, “The land has said “do not allow anymore, do not allow this project to go forward.” Because this land is sacred.”

Francene Francis interviews Edward (Ed) Smith, of the Society for Ecological Restoration, a student group at Trent. They discuss his views on the recently approved Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan, its environmental implications and what is says about Trent's future. Ed shares some of his environmental passions and the great work SER-TU has been up to in the past few years.

With the recent approval of the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan, including all the sustainability promises it promises, Francene Francis reflects on the current sustainability of the Symons campus. The Lands Plan is meant for holistic, ecological development that will improve life, work, and play on the Trent campus. Using the three pillars of sustainability as a guideline, she examines Trent’s sustainability framework and the plans folded into the new guiding document.