Queen's University Biological Station (QUBS)

Issue

Global disasters in the last decade, including wildfires, drought, flooding, famine, and toxic algal blooms, emphasize the compounding human costs of unfettered development, exploitation of natural systems, pollution, and inaction on environmental issues. Intensified by climate change and biodiversity loss, the ecosystems that are inextricably tied to the physical, mental, and economic well-being of people worldwide are being degraded at alarming rates, leading to what is known as the Sixth Mass Extinction.

In the face of these challenges, QUBS plays a critical role in generating knowledge to understand and mitigate these impacts, with a specific focus on preserving biodiversity and maintaining the functionality of ecosystems.

Vision

At the heart of our vision for QUBS is a commitment to being a university for the future – one that has a social impact and advances sustainability and research within and beyond our community.

QUBS aims to expand its role as a hub for transdisciplinary research, integrating natural and social sciences, arts, and humanities. It envisions becoming a global leader in addressing contemporary environmental challenges, fostering awareness, and contributing to conservation and sustainable practices.

To realize this vision, QUBS is dedicated to enhancing its infrastructure and programs, ensuring they make a meaningful impact on conservation, teaching, research, and public engagement. By doing so, we can create a thriving environment that pushes the boundaries of knowledge and unleashes the potential of our students, researchers, and community members to contribute meaningfully to an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable society. 

The Opportunity

Investing in QUBS presents a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact in three key areas: conservation, research, and teaching. By directing resources towards these areas, we can contribute to the advancement of environmental education that engage and educate future generations, and research and conservation efforts that will help build a more sustainable future.

Conservation

Supporting QUBS allows us to invest in land conservation initiatives, ensuring the preservation of diverse ecosystems and the protection of endangered species. By expanding our conservation efforts within the QUBS area, we can actively contribute to mitigating the effects of biodiversity loss and promote the long-term sustainability of natural systems.

Research

QUBS strives to be at the forefront of environmental research, addressing pressing global challenges through interdisciplinary investigations. Investments in research will empower scientists and researchers from all over to generate knowledge and develop innovative solutions to environmental issues such as climate change, habitat degradation, and species extinction. While about 50% of the researchers working at QUBS are from Queen’s, the rest are from institutions elsewhere in Canada and around the world. By supporting QUBS research initiatives, we can accelerate scientific progress, advance conservation practices, and inform policy decisions across the globe.

Teaching

Investing in QUBS supports the development of a robust environmental education program, empowering future generations with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle environmental challenges. By allocating resources towards teaching support, we can enhance educational programs and provide students and our community with immersive learning experiences. This includes hiring skilled educators, expanding field courses, equipping students with the tools and resources necessary for practical research, and providing environmental outreach and education in biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship to the local community, including primary through secondary school-aged children. By investing in teaching, we can nurture a new generation of environmental leaders who are passionate, well-informed, and equipped to drive positive change.

Rendering of the new Conservation, Research, and Learning Facility

Environmental Science Research Centre

As part of an investment in QUBS, a significant initiative is the development of a new Environmental Science Research Centre. This visionary project is set to revolutionize the way we tackle pressing global environmental challenges and will contribute to all three key areas: conservation, research, and teaching.

Situated on the site where the recently demolished aquarium building stood, the two-story centre will serve as a dynamic hub for cutting-edge research, groundbreaking teaching, and fruitful collaboration.

Designed with a commitment to sustainability and accessibility, the centre will include a host of remarkable features, including

A fully equipped molecular and chemistry lab,
two flexible laboratories for the study of terrestrial and aquatic organisms,
a broadcast-quality communications center to facilitate global research and interdisciplinary teaching,
a research laboratory equipped with geographic information systems that will allow researchers to use and analyze large spatial datasets across time and space – evaluating how our lands are being impacted,
augmented teaching and learning spaces to facilitate hosting more courses, activities, and conferences,
A range of sustainable features including a geothermal HVAC system, a semi-intensive green roof with local soil supporting native species, bird-safe glass, and as many natural and low-impact materials as possible

An investment in this new centre will expand QUBS’ capabilities – hosting and attracting greater numbers of researchers, visiting professors, new users, and students year-round; facilitating new course development to help leave a legacy of young scientists and community members trained in biodiversity assessment using the latest tools; and allowing QUBS to once again host aquatic researchers and activities, among a host of others, that require connectivity to experts and students from around the world.

By investing in QUBS and supporting initiatives like the Environmental Science Research Centre, you will help unlock new frontiers in research capabilities, provide immersive learning experiences, and amplify QUBS's impact on global environmental solutions. Together, we can forge a brighter future for our planet and leave an enduring legacy of environmental stewardship.

Make an Impact

By investing in QUBS, your support translates into a direct and tangible impact on conservation efforts, educational opportunities, and cutting-edge scientific research dedicated to addressing pressing global environmental issues.

Donors play a pivotal role in preserving biodiversity, fostering sustainability, and empowering students and researchers to make meaningful contributions to our understanding and stewardship of the natural world.

Supporting land conservation initiatives at QUBS will preserve diverse ecosystems, protect endangered species, and mitigate biodiversity loss, contributing to global efforts to mitigate the Sixth Mass Extinction. Investments in research will empower scientists to address pressing global challenges, generate knowledge, and develop innovative solutions for environmental issues. Enhancing the environmental education program at QUBS will equip future generations with the skills needed to tackle environmental challenges and nurture a new generation of passionate environmental leaders.

These impacts extend beyond the local region, as the knowledge and practices developed at QUBS can inform conservation and sustainability efforts worldwide.

Together, these impacts will contribute to a brighter future for our planet, where conservation efforts are prioritized, scientific research informs decision-making, and a new generation of environmental leaders is equipped to address pressing global challenges.

Donation box with heart over it, graphic

Donate Today

Contact KP Anand, Executive Director of Development, to explore how you can contribute to QUBS and discuss the various options available for making a meaningful difference through your donation. To give more generally to QUBS, or to give directly to our Environmental Science Research Centre, donate directly to one of our trust funds.

Contact KP Anand

Priority Alignment

Sustainability and Research

Confronting pressing global issues through transformative research, collaborative initiatives, and innovative solutions, as we invest in Sustainability and Research for a more sustainable future.

QUBS is making profound advancements on environmental issues, contributing to several SDGs, including SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land. This contribution was a major reason for Queen’s 2022 and 2021 THE Impact Rankings, where we placed in the top 10 universities globally that are advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

More about Sustainability and Research

Other Priorities

Community and Wellness

Strengthening the health and sustainability of current and future societies: creating a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment that places the well-being of every individual at the forefront.

Community and Wellness

Global Impact and Innovation

Addressing the world's most pressing challenges through transformative ideas, collaborative partnerships, and innovative solutions, as we strengthen Queen’s impact on a global scale.

Global Impact and Innovation

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Issue

Vision