Partnerships & External Programs
The GENV Department recognizes that to achieve our goal of educating students about human and physical processes, interactions and sustainability, while improving their career preparation for the job market, we need the support of reputable external partners. The benefits of these partnerships to our students, the department and to TWU are many, including accessibility to a wide range of resources that are not currently available at TWU (e.g., internships, field studies, jobs and research opportunities), and opportunity for our department to contribute to the improvement of our communities. Listed below are some of the institutions and organizations that our department have building relationship with to advance this goal:
Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies
The Au Sable Institute exists to inspire and educate students to serve, protect and restore the Earth. It offers environmental science programs, field courses in particular, that are not currently available to our students at TWU, thus greatly broadening and strengthening the TWU programs. Au Sable provides hands-on skills training and certification beyond what we can offer at TWU and this also strengthens the educational experience for the student. This is the most renowned Christian-based stewardship training model in the world. Through Au Sable, students have access to a much larger network of CCCU and other professors and scientists, giving them advantages for graduate school and career opportunities.
A Rocha Canada
A Rocha is an international Christian organization that is engaged in scientific research, environmental education, community-based conservation science, and sustainable agriculture, through which it is transforming the lives of people and many places around the world. One of its key values is cooperation, which means they work in partnership with a wide variety of organizations, such as TWU, and individuals who share a common concern for a sustainable world. While our students benefit from the internship, volunteer and employment programs provided by A Rocha, our faculty conduct collaborative research, seminars, and workshops with this organization. Prof. David Clements helped form A Rocha Canada, and served as its first chair in the 1990s and continues on the Science Advisory Committee. Prof. Karen Steensma has served on the board of A Rocha USA.
Climate Crisis Langley Action Partners
The GENV department is involved in the Climate Crisis Langley Action Partners (CCLAP), a local organization formed in 2019 that advocates for climate change action and education locally in Langley. CCLAP provides many opportunities for GENV student involvement. For example, GENV CCLAP worked with our students to organize an all-candidates meeting at Trinity Western University for the Canadian federal election in the fall of 2019.
Creation Care Study Program (CCSP)
CCSP is an integral program of the Center for Environmental Leadership (CEL), which is now approved by over twenty-five Christian colleges and universities in the USA and Canada. One of its primary goals is to provide opportunities for students to get off campus and learn outside the box through its Study Abroad Program to explore critical environmental issues and practical responses while educating the next generation of Christian environmental leaders.
ECO Canada (New initiative – in progress)
The Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada is a steward for the Canadian environmental workforce that work provides opportunities for students to
Elementary, Middle and High School Connections
Our department has develop partnership with the elementary, middle and high schools in the Langley-Surrey area, which give us the opportunity to educate the next generations of creation care leaders and scientists. The science in the valley program is one of our partnership initiatives with the elementary schools. Every year GENV students participate as student teaching assistants to deliver this field-based program to elementary school students in our own Ecosystem Study Area. Base on the success of this program, we are currently planning on other initiatives for the middle and high schools in our catchment area.
- Salmon in the Valley program in Science in the Valley – Any Questions? Please email Liz Robertson.
- Certificate in Outdoor Environmental Education (New initiative – in progress)
- Environmental Science for Middle and High Schools (New initiative – in progress)
Langley Environmental Partners Society
Our GENV department has many connections with Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS). LEPS is a local non-governmental organism involved in numerous environmental stewardship activities in our local region. Our students and GENV faculty connect with LEPS in terms of employment experiences, internships, volunteer activities and many other valuable opportunities.
Salmon River Enhancement Society
The GENV department has close ties with the Salmon River Enhancement Society (SRES), which stewards the Salmon River that flows through Trinity Western University’s main Langley Campus. SRES sponsors our Salmon in the Valley program and there are other opportunities for our students to volunteer with SRES.