Mountain bike trails are more than just a hangout for adrenalin junkies, as a group of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management students learned this year, they can also have measurably positive economic and social impacts. In partnership with the Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association, the students undertook a comprehensive study of the social and economic impacts of the Boer Mountain trails near the northern community.

Internationally acclaimed artist and sculptor K.A. Colorado donated some of his climate-inspired artwork to the University of Northern British Columbia’s Northern Leadership Campaign where he knows it will strengthen research and teaching excellence on the science surrounding climate change.

Sustainability is serious business and University of Northern British Columbia students are helping local entrepreneurs find ways to be environmental leaders, and save money while doing it. The course has been made possible through donations to Experiential Learning

The Matt Pearce Award is more than just a scholarship for University of Northern British Columbia women’s basketball player Emily Holmes. It’s an inspiration. “When I received the award I was literally moved to tears,” she says. “This award inspires me to build greater relationships with others and to be a community role model as Matt was.”

By allowing students, researchers and the general public to more easily access historical documents about the region's railway history, CN is helping students like Kathryn develop experience, while deepening Northern BC Archives’ expertise and holdings of Northern B.C. related research.

A classroom in the woods, on a hilltop overlooking the Upper Fraser area and the MacGregor Mountains, provides a great space for outdoor learning and research in forest ecology, forest and ecosystem management and environmental studies. And it’s because donors have made it possible.

When students living in the UNBC residences turn up the heat in the winter or open the hot water faucet, they may not realize they are taking part in a project designed to demonstrate the feasibility of local energy in growing sustainable rural and northern communities. Once fully operational, the annual reductions in carbon emissions is projected to be 350 tonnes, the equivalent of removing 110 cars from the road.

A financial award from TransCanada Corporation helped Bianca Michell pursue her graduate studies at UNBC.

Environmental Planning students gain real-life experience designing a housing project