Past Events

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for significant change at a rapid pace. Rural communities across the world have pivoted to address both the short-term and long-term implications for rural people, rural economies, and rural landscapes. This panel discussion examines four rural regions and their responses to COVID-19. Panelists will share their experiences how their rural region was impacted by the pandemic, their responses, and their future directions.

The International Comparative Rural Policy (ICRPS) consortium hosts an annual Summer Institute for graduate students, researchers, policy analysts, and rural communities. The 2021 ICRPS Summer Institute focuses on enhancing rural prosperity. The 2021 Summer Institute will convene for two weeks in a remote format and will involve approximately 30-40 graduate students and numerous faculty members from universities around the world.

School of Environmental Design and Rural Development - Landscape Architecture MLA Master's Thesis Examination Tina George, a master of landscape architecture candidate in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will defend her thesis on "Evaluating the Role of Collage as a More Effective Representation in Landscape Architecture Praxis". Examination Committee: Nadia Amoroso, Advisor, SEDRD Sean Kelly, Advisory Committee Member, SEDRD Steven Clarke, Examination Member, SEDRD Silvia Sarapura, Chair of Examination, SEDRD

Dr. Alexandra Peel (Geriatrician, Royal Oaks Health and Wellness Centre and Research Chair in Rural Senior Care) will share insights on how to build rural communities where people can age at home. The webinar is hosted by the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, a partner with SEDRD.  More details about the webinar and registration can be found on the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health website.   

The Rural Planning and Development program is accepting applications for the Master of Planning program to start in September 2021. The Master of Planning is a one-year degree program intended for students with a completed undergraduate degree and 4-5 years of planning and development experience. The program consists of both required and elective courses and concludes with a major research paper.

The Latornell Conservation Symposium is Canada’s largest gathering of environmental and conservation sector specialists. An important part of the Symposium is the annual student poster competition. In response to the ongoing pandemic, the poster competition aspect of the Symposium has taken on a virtual format for 2021 and is being held on May 27th. The Latornell Conservation Symposium has developed a reputation for quality, and is a wonderful experience for students (as well as professors who have a practical bent and an interest in conservation).

2021 CSLA-OALA Congress Goes Virtual: Meet your colleagues, celebrate your profession and get informed from the comfort of your chair! The CSLA-OALA Congress Planning Committee will be offering the 2021 Congress via an online platform for the first time in the history of the Congress. We are excited to plan an accessible online program that will offer education, engagement and networking to landscape architects all across the country! Save the travel time and accommodation costs, and still gain all the benefits of this exciting annual event.

Verena Kulak, a doctoral candidate in the Rural Studies program, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development will be presenting her PhD Qualifying Examination on “The Interrelations between Conservation Science and Technology”.

Clair-Maltby, on the Paris-Galt Moraine, will be the City of Guelph's largest urban expansion to date at almost 1000 acres and expected to accommodate upwards of 16,000 residents. Come out to support a group of our graduating fourth year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture students who will be presenting their work from their fall 2020 Community Design studio on the Clair-Maltby lands.

School of Environmental Design and Rural Development - Landscape Architecture MLA Master's Thesis Examination Cibele Souza Donato, a master of landscape architecture candidate in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will defend her thesis on "The Role of Neighbourhood Landscape Characteristics in Facilitating Outdoor Play During the COVID-19 Outbreak".