On May 5, the Commerce Greensuits gathered to help restore the natural spaces around campus and work towards a more sustainable future.  

For a third consecutive year, the Greensuits worked on the lower portion of campus near Ancaster Creek, removing invasive species and replacing them with native plants such as elderberry and sycamore. With the help of Nature at McMaster, DeGroote’s Greensuits worked together to restore the biodiversity in this region and protect the natural land.  

“This is a great opportunity for students to contribute and make a difference to sustainability,” says Wayne Terryberry, Coordinator of Outdoor Recreation and Natural Lands at McMaster University. “Students are the energy and the passion – they are the ones who are making a difference and changing the status quo. It is important for them to be doing this because it will benefit their future.” 

This part of campus faces biodiversity loss due to changes in climate and the presence of invasive plants like multiflora rose and honeysuckle. But Terryberry is hopeful the area’s ecosystem and biodiversity will be restored over the next several years by planting native species and removing invasive plants. 

“The invasive species are harmful to both the ecology and wildlife that exist here. Animals are unable to eat them, in addition to the invasive species competing against the native ecology for resources, which is harmful,” says Terryberry. “We are trying to recreate the biodiversity that was once present in this area.” 

Terryberry believes that students taking part in sustainability efforts today is vital for a more sustainable future.  

“A lot of students are young, so these efforts can impact their future, especially with climate change top of mind. If we all contribute something to improve the environment, we can have a significant impact on the future of environmental sustainability.” 

Students supporting sustainability 

The Greensuits believe that uniting to work on a sustainability cause will benefit both the environment and developing stronger peer connections. 

“It is important for us to give back to the environment to improve sustainability in the long-term; not just as individuals but as a cohesive group,” says Malak Al-Tikriti, Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH) Level I student.   

“Sustainability is about ensuring that our impact on Earth can create a better future for generations to come,” explains Thomas Scram, Greensuits General Representative and Commerce Level III Internship student. “Learning can happen outside of the classroom when students are given the opportunity to engage with community and learn from one another.” 

“For a team like the Greensuits, who strive to make a positive impact on first-year Commerce students, as well as the greater McMaster community, it is important for us to take action and make tangible change towards sustainability,” adds Zara Kanga, Level IV IBH with Internship student. “Sustainability is about creating a lasting impact through diverse approaches. For example, sustainability can be about giving back to the Earth in an ecological sense or continuing to sustain this partnership between Greensuits and Nature at McMaster to give back to our community.” 

To learn more about the ecology and environments around McMaster, and how you can contribute, please visit Nature at McMaster.