SDG 15: LIFE ON LAND

SDG 15: LIFE ON LAND

Al Maarefa University in Saudi Arabia demonstrates a strong commitment to SDG 15: Life on Land, focusing on biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, and community engagement. The following report outlines the university’s policies, campus initiatives, educational programs, outreach activities, and alignment with national strategies that collectively showcase its impact on terrestrial ecosystems.

Policies for Biodiversity and Native Plant Protection

Al Maarefa University has institutional structures and policies in place that prioritize sustainability and biodiversity preservation. A dedicated Sustainability Department identifies and integrates SDG objectives (including SDG 15) across colleges and programs, fostering partnerships and innovation for sustainable development. The university also established the UM Center for Environmental Sustainability Research, which focuses on areas like Biodiversity Conservation and Ecology, sustainable natural resource management, and environmental policy. This research center’s mission is to develop practical solutions to environmental challenges and to serve as a catalyst for positive change through multidisciplinary collaboration. These policies and structures ensure that conserving life on land is a governance priority, guiding campus operations (from procurement to landscaping) to favor native species and eco-friendly practices. As part of its Climate Action Policy, for example, the university underscores its responsibility to protect ecosystems while mitigating climate impacts [1], demonstrating that biodiversity protection is intertwined with its sustainability planning.

Green Campus Spaces and Conservation Areas

The university’s campus is designed with green principles in mind, integrating natural elements with the built environment. Open green spaces, courtyards, and landscaping with native desert plants are incorporated into campus design to create a healthy, resilient environment for learning [2]. Al Maarefa’s main campus in Riyadh sits on ~21,674 m² and features modern, walkable infrastructure alongside sustainable landscaping [2]. Water-efficient native plants and trees are used in campus landscaping to provide shade and greenery while conserving water – a critical consideration in the arid climate. While the university does not have a large botanical garden, small conservation corners and medicinal plant gardens (associated with the Pharmacy and Applied Sciences programs) serve educational purposes by showcasing native flora and medicinal herbs to students. These green campus features are maintained by the facilities team and student volunteers, ensuring that the spaces remain living laboratories for sustainability. The integration of nature on campus not only supports local biodiversity but also creates an atmosphere that enhances well-being and environmental awareness among the university community [2].

Education and Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems

Curriculum and Courses

Al Maarefa University incorporates land sustainability and biodiversity topics into its curriculum across various programs. Courses in environmental science and ecology (offered through the College of Applied Sciences) emphasize the importance of terrestrial ecosystems, wildlife conservation, and ecosystem services. Principles of land conservation and sustainable agriculture are introduced even in health and science programs, ensuring students appreciate the interdependence of human well-being and healthy ecosystems. This interdisciplinary approach means future doctors, pharmacists, and scientists are educated about biodiversity loss and land management, aligning with SDG 15’s educational goals.

Research Initiatives

The university actively engages in research on terrestrial ecosystems and conservation. Faculty and student researchers undertake studies on habitat restoration, desert ecology, and the impacts of human activity on land biodiversity. Through the Center for Environmental Sustainability Research, Al Maarefa has pursued projects on reforestation techniques, soil conservation in arid lands, and native plant cultivation. These research efforts contribute to a deeper understanding of challenges like desertification and species loss, and they inform strategies to restore degraded lands. Notably, the Center’s objectives include developing sustainable technologies for environmental challenges and studying human-environment interactions to promote a holistic approach to sustainability. By publishing findings and hosting academic forums, the university helps advance knowledge in biodiversity conservation and shares best practices with the broader scientific community.

Student Involvement in Research and Learning

Students are encouraged to participate in sustainability research and projects as part of their learning. Internship opportunities and senior projects often focus on local environmental issues – for instance, assessing plant growth in the campus microclimate or evaluating the biodiversity of nearby wadi ecosystems. This hands-on learning solidifies classroom knowledge and empowers students to become environmental stewards. The university also offers workshops and training in topics like ecological field methods and GIS for conservation, underlining its commitment to capacity building in land preservation.

Student Engagement and Clubs for Sustainability

Student-led initiatives are a vital component of Al Maarefa’s SDG 15 efforts. An active network of student volunteers and clubs spearheads on-campus and off-campus activities focused on the environment:

“Our University is Green” Initiative

Led by students of the College of Medicine, this campaign focuses on greening the campus and raising environmental awareness within the university community. As part of Saudi Arabia’s broader green efforts, medical students organized tree-planting and campus clean-up events under the slogan “Our University is Green”, integrating social responsibility with environmental action [3]. This initiative not only beautifies campus spaces with native trees and plants but also educates future healthcare professionals about the health benefits of green environments.

Environmental Awareness Campaigns

Students regularly hold events like sustainability workshops, recycling drives, and seminars on biodiversity. For example, environmental science enthusiasts in the Applied Sciences faculty have run seminars on desert ecosystem conservation, inviting experts to speak about preserving Saudi Arabia’s unique flora and fauna. Such events are often open to the public or run in local schools, demonstrating the students’ role in community education.

Volunteer Programs and Clubs

While a formal “Environment Club” is in development, students have created volunteer groups to support the university’s sustainability office. These volunteers assist in maintaining the campus garden areas, monitoring the health of planted trees, and organizing annual tree-planting days. Students also participate in international observances like Earth Day and World Environment Day through campus activities, highlighting global best practices and local responsibilities in conservation.

Through these clubs and activities, students gain leadership experience and a sense of ownership in Al Maarefa’s sustainability mission. The university supports these efforts by providing resources and recognition – treating student engagement as a core component of its SDG 15 impact.

Community Outreach and Land Conservation Projects

Al Maarefa University volunteers planting native tree saplings in a Saudi desert reserve as part of a large-scale reforestation campaign (2024). This hands-on initiative exemplifies the university’s outreach for SDG 15: in cooperation with environmental partners, over 5,000 seedlings were planted to rehabilitate a degraded area, contributing to biodiversity restoration and combatting desertification [4]. Such projects not only revive ecosystems but also instill environmental stewardship among students and staff.

Engaging with the broader community is a cornerstone of Al Maarefa’s approach to Life on Land. The university actively organizes and participates in projects beyond campus to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems:

Mass Tree-Planting Campaigns

In 2024, Al Maarefa University joined the national effort to combat desertification by planting 5,000 new trees in a Saudi royal reserve area [4]. This campaign, timed with the U.N. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, was carried out in cooperation with government conservation agencies and local partners. Volunteers from the university – including students, faculty, and staff – planted native tree species in Rawdat Umm Al Shuquq Park and other reserve lands, helping to revive an arid landscape with indigenous vegetation. The initiative not only contributes to land restoration but also raises public awareness; it was widely publicized as part of Saudi Arabia’s Green Initiative, showing how universities can lead by example in national greening efforts.

Habitat Restoration and Reforestation

Beyond one-off events, Al Maarefa runs ongoing habitat restoration projects. The university’s Social Responsibility Center and sustainability teams collaborate with local municipalities and environmental organizations to rehabilitate nearby natural areas. Activities have included planting acacia and ghaf trees in overgrazed desert plots, cleaning up waste in wildlife reserves, and setting up seed dispersal programs to encourage natural regrowth. These efforts aim to revive degraded land areas and promote biodiversity in the region. By restoring plant cover and soil quality, the projects also help control dust and improve air quality for local communities.

Community Workshops and Education

Al Maarefa extends its impact by educating the public on sustainable land use. The university has hosted free workshops for farmers on sustainable agriculture practices – such as water-efficient irrigation, soil conservation, and integrated pest management – to minimize the negative impacts of farming on land ecosystems. In local schools, university outreach teams conduct fun educational sessions about native plants and wildlife, fostering a conservation ethos in younger generations. Through seminars and joint programs with NGOs, the university spreads awareness about the importance of protecting terrestrial life and trains community members in practical conservation skills.

Partnerships with Local Organizations

Al Maarefa University actively collaborates with government bodies like the National Center for Vegetation Cover and conservation NGOs to amplify its outreach. By working with these partners, the university aligns its projects with broader regional conservation plans. For instance, tree-planting locations are often selected in consultation with national park authorities to support official reforestation targets. The university also invites experts from the Ministry of Environment and environmental NGOs to campus events, creating a dialogue between academia and practitioners on land conservation.

Through these community-focused efforts, Al Maarefa not only improves local ecosystems but also fulfills its role as an anchor institution driving sustainable development in the region. The impact is tangible – degraded lands are being restored and community members are more engaged in protecting their natural heritage.

Alignment with National Biodiversity Strategies and Protected Areas

Al Maarefa University’s initiatives in SDG 15 strongly align with Saudi Arabia’s national strategies for biodiversity and land conservation. The Kingdom’s ambitious Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), launched in 2021, aims to designate 30% of the country’s land as protected nature reserves and to plant 10 billion trees to combat desertification and biodiversity loss [5]. Al Maarefa has positioned itself as an active contributor to these goals. By planting thousands of trees in “royal reserves” and public parks, the university directly supports SGI’s afforestation targets [4]. In fact, the university’s 5,000-tree planting campaign is a clear example of academia aiding the national goal to rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded land under Vision 2030 [5].

The university also engages with national frameworks on biodiversity protection. Saudi Arabia’s environmental strategy emphasizes protecting native species and expanding protected areas; in this context, Al Maarefa’s work in Rawdat Umm Al Shuquq Park (part of a protected area) demonstrates its involvement in stewarding protected lands. By coordinating with park management for tree planting and ecological monitoring, the university helps enhance the biodiversity of these reserves. Additionally, Al Maarefa scholars contribute expertise to national policy dialogues – for example, providing research input on desert restoration techniques to the Ministry of Environment and participating in conferences on the National Biodiversity Strategy. This direct involvement ensures that the university’s on-the-ground projects also inform and complement policy-level efforts.

Internationally, Al Maarefa University’s commitment mirrors global conservation efforts. It participates in knowledge exchange on SDG 15 through academic networks and the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings platform. The university collaborates with international researchers on topics like arid-land ecology and shares best practices for campus sustainability. Such participation not only elevates the university’s own practices but also contributes to the global dialogue on protecting life on land.

Conclusion

Through comprehensive policies, a sustainably designed campus, robust educational programming, active student engagement, and far-reaching community outreach, Al Maarefa University substantially advances SDG 15: Life on Land. The university’s actions – from on-campus native planting to large-scale reforestation in Saudi reserves – demonstrate a holistic approach to conservation that spans local and national impact. Al Maarefa’s alignment with initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative and its collaborative projects in protected areas highlight its role in supporting national and global biodiversity targets. Moving forward, the university is poised to continue and expand these efforts (with a second phase of tree planting planned and new research in desert restoration underway), thereby reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainability and an institution that nurtures both knowledge and nature.

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