15 Life on Land – �鶹��Ƶ

SERES: Sustainability and Ecology for the Restoration of Social Ecosystems

Ada Inman — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:58:55 +0000

The municipality of La Estrella, Antioquia faces increasing pressure along its urban–rural edge, where urban expansion has created tensions with the main ecological structure, affecting food security and the hydrological balance. In particular, peri-urban areas face risks associated with landslides and flooding, which are intensified by urbanization processes and the transformation of strategic agroecosystems.

SERES is a transdisciplinary initiative that integrates nature-based solutions (NbS) to strengthen the socio-ecological resilience of the territory. The project, developed by Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in collaboration with the local administration of La Estrella, works with three educational institutions—Colegio Los Robles, Colegio Canadiense, and Colegio Waldorf Isolda—as platforms for community mediation and knowledge exchange.

The project promotes ecological restoration and food security through small-scale actions such as urban gardens, composting, collective planting days in prioritized areas, and rainwater harvesting systems. To date, the first rainwater harvesting prototype has been built and delivered at Colegio Waldorf Isolda Echavarría. Additional prototypes are currently being developed for implementation in other institutions and for the broader community within facilities of the Municipality of La Estrella. In parallel, a guidebook is being developed to systematize the experience and facilitate its replicability, along with the design of a traveling exhibition that will document the process and outcomes of the implemented actions.

As part of the educational component, the course “Ecological and Social Management: Integrated Approaches for the Territory” was developed. The course included approximately 24 hours of sessions distributed over several weeks, strengthening capacities in climate adaptation, collaborative governance, and the restoration of social ecosystems. It was designed for undergraduate students from the Faculty of Architecture and other academic programs, as well as university departments dedicated to science communication and social appropriation of knowledge at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. The course also included participation from officials from municipalities affiliated with the ICLEI municipal network and various stakeholders from the Municipality of La Estrella.

Ultimately, SERES seeks to strengthen collaboration between academia, local government, and communities to promote sustainable territorial practices. By integrating environmental education, community participation, and nature-based solutions, the project aims to generate long-term socio-ecological resilience in peri-urban landscapes. Through knowledge exchange, practical interventions, and the development of replicable tools such as prototypes, educational materials, and public exhibitions, SERES aspires to inspire similar initiatives in other territories facing comparable environmental and social challenges.

Developing initial concept plans and identifying strategic design elements for Amsterdam Dunes public access trails

Ada Inman — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:31:02 +0000

A landscape architecture student analyzed the Amsterdam Dunes property to identify suitable areas for boardwalk and trail connections that minimize disturbance to wetlands and sensitive habitats and enhance public access and scenic experiences at the site. [...]

Planning for an eco-friendly mountain bike park in DeForest

Ada Inman — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:17:11 +0000

For nearly a decade, the Village of DeForest has been developing a plan to construct a mountain bike trail. Residents opposed an initial site proposed in 2016 because of potential environmental impact concerns on nearby wildlife. This conservation plan for a parcel of land acquired specifically for mountain bike trail development addresses stream quality, the [...]

Bioadaptation Project for the Ecosystems of the Valle de las Palmas River Basin – Tijuana (community intervention)

Ada Inman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:29:49 +0000

Teachers and students from FCITEC coordinated their courses around a project focused on community activity in Valle de las Palmas (municipality of Tecate, Baja California). This section of the project analyzes the legal, hydrological, resource management, and project administration aspects of construction waste management the Valle de las Palmas area, considering its impact on the local population and how to improve public health in the town.

Students and teachers from five educational programs participated on this project (Civil Engineering; Bioengineering; Software Engineering and Emerging Technologies; Industrial Engineering; and a Master’s in Public Health program). Field visits were conducted in the town and along the Valle de las Palmas stream, and in this first phase, community-based initiatives were implemented towards a public school.

The project is linked to an external organization called the Mexican Association for Recycling Construction and Demolition Waste (Asociación Mexicana de Reciclaje de Residuos de Construcción y Demolición A.C.) and aims to analyze local legislation and incorporate sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact in the area.

On December 9th, a progress presentation was made before members of the community and local government, and work will continue during the 2026-1 semester (January-May).

Bioadaptation of ecosystems in the Valle de las Palmas-Tijuana river basin. Recycling of construction waste and glass

Ada Inman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:28:05 +0000

Teachers and students from FCITEC coordinated their courses around a project involving the community of Valle de las Palmas (municipality of Tecate, Baja California). The project seeks to evaluate the use of materials recovered from construction waste and glass in order to promote sustainable construction practices and mitigate the community’s vulnerability to soil, aquifer, and air pollution, as well as the risk of flooding inherent in the extraction of natural resources in the Valle de las Palmas area.
Students and professors from five courses in the Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programs participated. Field visits were conducted in the town of Valle de las Palmas, and in this first phase, actions were implemented at a local school.
The project is linked to an external entity called the Border Environmental Education Project (Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental, A.C) and aims to incorporate sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and promote the use of materials derived from construction waste in the area.

On December 9th, a progress presentation was made before members of the community and local government, and works will continue during the 2026-1 semester (January-May).

Ecosystem-based adaptation of the Tijuana River basin, focusing on recycling construction waste and glass

Ada Inman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:26:14 +0000

Esta propuesta responde a la necesidad de disminuir el impacto ambiental de la industria de la construcción. El proyecto pretende promover una gestión adecuada de los residuos de actividades de la industria de la construcción, mediante el diseño y aplicación de metodologías y estrategias con criterios AbE, que mitiguen la vulnerabilidad de la comunidad de Valle de las Palmas, y promuevan la recuperación de un tramo del arroyo las Palmas, combinando las habilidades técnicas, materiales y de gestión de los miembros involucrados para alcanzar cuatro objetivos:
1.
Elaborar un diagnóstico del contexto actual de la gestión integral de los RCD y vidrio, y de las condiciones del arroyo Las Palmas, para identificar las zonas más vulnerables de la comunidad; mediante la participación de profesores y estudiantes (FCITEC), de la Cámara Mexicana de la Industria de la Construcción (CMIC), delegación Tijuana, FCITEC y Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental, A.C (PFEA) y comunidad de estudiantes de secundaria y bachillerato de Valle de las Palmas (COM).
2.
Diseñar metodologías y estrategias AbE para la adaptación, que promuevan la conservación de recursos naturales y el reciclaje de RCD y vidrio, con el fin de mitigar la vulnerabilidad de la comunidad ante el cambio climático. Participación de FCITEC, CMIC, PFEA y COM.
3.
Evaluar el uso y aplicación de materiales elaborados con RCD y vidrio, para fomentar prácticas sostenibles de construcción, con el objetivo de mitigar la vulnerabilidad de la comunidad debido a la contaminación del suelo, acuíferos y aire, así como, el riesgo de inundación inherentes a la extracción de recursos naturales. Participación de FCITEC, CMIC, PFEA y COM.
4.
Gestionar la restauración de un tramo de lecho del arroyo las Palmas que se encuentre en etapa de abandono de las actividades extractivas y se identifique como vulnerable a erosión durante lluvias extraordinarias.
Participación múltiple de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería y Tecnología (FCITEC-UABC), Proyecto Fronterizo de Educación Ambiental (PFEA), Cámara Mexicana de la Industria de la Construcción (CMIC) y el Instituto de Planeación del Desarrollo Municipal de Tecate (INPLADEM-Presidencia Municipal de Tecate, Baja California, México).
El proyecto se lleva a cabo en el NO de Baja California, en la cuenca del río Tijuana, donde se ubican las ciudades de Tecate y Tijuana, en las que reside el 54% de la población del estado (de un total de 3,769,020 habitantes. La comunidad que participa en el proyecto es principalmente la población escolar (secundaria y preparatoria) y sus padres de familia que residen en el poblado Valle de las Palmas, que tenía 1,685 habitantes en 2020, según el censo de población y vivienda del INEGI.

The National City Earthquake Safety & Outreach Initiative

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:41:12 +0000

This report contains a series of policy proposals developed by San Diego State University (SDSU) students, in collaboration with National City officials and the SDSU Sage Project, to increase the use of existing earthquake preparedness resources among National City residents. The primary focus of student research was the California Earthquake Brace + Bolt program and encouraging homeowners to engage in seismic retrofitting. Additionally, students developed policy recommendations aimed at increasing general earthquake safety, awareness, and education. Being located in Southern California, earthquake preparedness
is a topic the SDSU community is very familiar with and many students were able to use this as an opportunity to draw upon prior knowledge in their research.
Students worked to create policy suggestions specific to National City, based on methods proven effective in similar municipalities, by researching how the area’s demographics may impact the use of community resources. National City is a heavily Hispanic city, with a large population that does not speak English as a first language. As such, many of the policies in this report focus on bridging that gap in communication and establishing trust between community members and those with access to earthquake preparedness resources. Another major trend among policies developed by students was a focus on finding creative ways to lower the economic burden on residents interested in seismic retrofitting. This led to the creation of several innovative proposals focused on helping residents pay for seismic retrofitting, primarily where other government programs would not suffice. These policies may be more difficult to implement than direct outreach, but they represent an alternate approach the city could take to encourage seismic retrofitting.
The policies presented in this report were chosen for their adaptability as part of a larger earthquake awareness initiative, as well as their ability to function independently. As stressed by National City officials, the city budget does not have any extra funding for extensive earthquake preparedness programs. The purpose behind choosing policies which can operate independently is to work around these constraints and offer solutions that may be more budget-friendly. These policies are categorized based upon the type of actor affected: resident, government group, or external organization.

Green Technology and Sustainable Education Conference

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:35:45 +0000

The Green Technology & Sustainable Education Conference at Ajou University Tashkent (AUT), chaired by Professor Dr Che Zalina Zulkifli, is a major regional platform to accelerate green innovation, green university transformation, and sustainable education across Uzbekistan. The conference follows the �鶹��Ƶ Model by connecting university expertise with local environmental authorities, industry partners, and communities to address real, measurable sustainability needs.

Uzbekistan is strengthening its national commitment to environmental protection, green infrastructure, sustainable land use, and climate-resilient education.

AUT aims to serve as a regional driver for sustainable technology and green education. Through Prof Zalina’s leadership, the conference brought together academia, government, community groups, and industries to co-design solutions aligned with �鶹��Ƶ principles of:

community impact
long-term partnerships
scalable solutions
real-world implementation

The conference was designed to:

Accelerate Green University transformation
Strengthen capacity in green technologies, IoT, and smart systems
Support environmental education and sustainability literacy
Enhance university–community partnerships
Link AUT to global and ASEAN networks working on sustainability

The conference was honoured by major international and national keynote leaders:

His Excellency Ilham Tuah

Ambassador of Malaysia to Uzbekistan
Delivered an inspiring keynote on Malaysia–Uzbekistan cooperation in sustainable development, education diplomacy, and future green partnerships.

WWF-Malaysia

Representatives shared insights on:

climate resilience
biodiversity conservation
community-driven environmental solutions
green innovation partnership models

Their presence strengthened international environmental collaboration with Uzbekistan.

MARDI (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute)

Provided expert perspectives on:

smart agriculture
land sustainability
innovative farming technologies
research opportunities for Uzbekistan–Malaysia collaboration

These keynote contributions elevated the scientific, diplomatic, and technical depth of the conference.

Key Components of the Conference

5.1 Academic & Technical Sessions

Smart environmental monitoring technology
IoT and AI for sustainability
Green campus and green metrics
Smart agriculture & land management
Circular economy and eco-innovation
Environmental education models

5.2 Local Environmental Authorities & Community Partners

Local environmental protection departments
Municipal green development offices
NGOs and eco-community organisations
Youth and student sustainability groups

5.3 Industry & Innovation Partners

Green technology companies showcased:
renewable solutions
low-cost environmental sensors
smart farming tools
waste-to-resource technologies

Role of Professor Dr Che Zalina Zulkifli

As Director of ICGTSS AUT and Conference Chairperson

Developed the conference theme, structure, and academic direction
Coordinated international speakers and keynote leaders
Strengthened partnerships with environmental authorities and industry
Integrated �鶹��Ƶ frameworks into the conference design
Positioned AUT as a Central Asian hub for green technology & smart systems
Ensured high-quality scientific, educational, and community outcomes

�鶹��Ƶ Alignment

Strengthened AUT’s status as a regional leader in green technology
New pathways for international collaboration with Malaysia (government, WWF, MARDI)
Enhanced academic capacity in sustainability and smart systems
Empowered student and faculty contributions to local environmental challenges
Increased opportunities for �鶹��Ƶ aligned future projects across Uzbekistan

⸻

Future Directions

Annual continuation of the AUT Green Conference
Establishment of AUT as a Central Asia �鶹��Ƶ Demonstration Campus
Joint training programs with WWF-Malaysia and MARDI
University–local authority collaboration on green city initiatives
Applied research and community projects on land, water, and biodiversity

This conference reflects the outstanding leadership of
Professor Dr Che Zalina Zulkifli,
whose international work continues to advance green technology, sustainable education, and community-driven innovation across Malaysia, Uzbekistan, ASEAN, and the global �鶹��Ƶ network.

Smart Farming & Low-Cost DIY Farming Initiative

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:30:45 +0000

This project, led by Professor Dr Che Zalina Zulkifli, introduces Smart Farming and Low-Cost DIY Farming technologies to support community farmers and student learning in Samarinda, Kalimantan. The initiative addresses the need for affordable, scalable, and sustainable farming methods suitable for both rural and urban communities.

The approach aligns fully with the �鶹��Ƶ Model, which connects university expertise with community-driven challenges, ensuring real implementation, measurable outcomes, and long-term impact.

Farmers and local communities in Samarinda face several limitations:

High cost of modern farming equipment
Inefficient water usage and traditional irrigation methods
Lack of exposure to IoT-based agricultural tools
Limited opportunities for green entrepreneurship

These issues restrict productivity and sustainability, creating a clear need for accessible, low-cost, technology-supported farming solutions.

Project Description

3.1 Smart Farming Technology

EduGreen@UPSI introduced practical and affordable tools:

IoT soil moisture sensors
Climate monitoring (temperature, humidity)
Automated smart watering systems
Mobile dashboard for real-time monitoring

3.2 Low-Cost DIY Farming Systems

To ensure community scalability, Prof Zalina’s model emphasised affordability and local materials:

DIY vertical farming modules
Low-cost drip irrigation kits
Compost tea nutrient production
Microcontroller-based automation (ESP32/NodeMCU)

Each system can be built with RM30–RM100, enabling widespread adoption.

3.3 Economic and Business Model Integration

The Faculty of Economy supported:

Micro-costing of farming operations
Market analysis for urban farming products
Business model development for micro-enterprises
Circular economy concepts (waste → compost → product → income)

Student Engagement & Academic Integration

Following �鶹��Ƶ’s experiential learning principle, students:

Built and tested IoT prototypes
Conducted on-field deployment in test plots
Collected and analysed farm data
Prepared business plans for community farmers

Lecturers incorporated smart farming topics into teaching modules, creating sustainable academic continuity.

Outcomes and Impact

5.1 Community Impact

Farmers adopt simple, low-cost technologies
Improved water efficiency through automation
Increased awareness of sustainable agriculture practices

5.2 Educational Impact

New curriculum components for Smart Farming and IoT Agriculture
Cross-faculty collaboration strengthened
Students gain hands-on, real-world problem-solving experience

5.3 Economic Impact

Potential 20–40% reduction in operating costs
Opportunities for student-led agritech entrepreneurship
Local communities can commercialise DIY farming kits

Future Plans

Establish �鶹��Ƶ–EduGreen Smart Farming Hub at UNTAG 1945.
Conduct annual Smart Agriculture Bootcamps for students and communities.
Produce joint research papers and policy briefs.
Expand the project to more districts in Kalimantan and ASEAN.

Leadership

This project reflects the leadership of
Professor Dr Che Zalina Zulkifli,
who continues to extend Malaysia’s green technology innovation to the global community through �鶹��Ƶ aligned programs.

EduGreen Composting for Sustainable Campus & Community Initiative

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:25:26 +0000

The EduGreen Compost Program at UPSI is a flagship sustainability initiative designed to strengthen environmental education, green lifestyle adoption, and community practice, while embedding sustainability within the academic curriculum.

Led by Prof. Dr. Che Zalina Zulkifli, this programme integrates:

Academic coursework (Communication course under Faculty of Language & Communication),
Student leadership development (HEPA Green Portfolio),
Technical and agricultural guidance from MARDI,
Hands-on composting infrastructure at EduGreen Centre.

The initiative reflects the �鶹��Ƶ philosophy: a real-world sustainability challenge matched with university expertise and an applied learning framework that directly benefits communities.

The EduGreen Compost Program is structured around a three-tier �鶹��Ƶ-aligned implementation approach involving academic integration, community engagement, and institutional collaboration.

1. Academic Integration: Communication Course Collaboration

The Faculty of Language & Communication incorporated this project into its “Communication Course”, allowing over 300 students per semester to:

Practice communication strategies through environmental messaging,
Produce campaign videos, posters, and awareness materials,
Conduct presentations and dialogues with local stakeholders,
Reflect on sustainability practices through structured assignments.

This transforms composting from a technical activity into a communication-driven behavioural change programme, aligned with UPSI’s mission to produce environmentally responsible graduates.

2. Student Leadership (HEPA Green Portfolio)

Selected student leaders manage compost operations,
Organise green campaigns at colleges and hostels,
Monitor food waste collection,
Conduct workshops for peers and schools,
Coordinate data reporting (waste diverted, compost produced, participation rates).

This creates a leadership pipeline where students gain environmental management skills while contributing to UPSI’s green campus agenda.

3. Technical Guidance & Local Government Collaboration (MARDI)

Expertise in composting science,
Technical validation of the composting system,
Training modules for university and school participants,
Advisory support for scaling the programme to district-level agriculture offices.

This strengthens the initiative’s credibility and aligns it with Malaysia’s national agricultural sustainability framework.

4. EduGreen Centre Infrastructure

Demonstration site for composting technology,
Training hub for UPSI and external visitors,
Data collection and monitoring centre,
Research facility for smart compost innovation (IoT, sensors, etc.).

This infrastructure enables the programme to serve as a national and international model for integrating green technology into education.

Environmental Impact

Significant reduction of organic waste from UPSI cafeterias and hostels.
Production of high-quality compost used for campus landscaping and community gardens.
Measurable decrease in waste collection frequency, contributing to carbon-footprint reduction.

Educational & Academic Impact

Students experience authentic learning by applying communication theories to real sustainability issues.
Faculty integrates applied environmental content into assignments and assessments.
Increased student confidence in public speaking, project management, and advocacy.

Community Engagement

Workshops delivered to schools and local communities.
Composting awareness expanded to nearby districts through MARDI collaborations.
Strengthened public understanding of waste reduction and circular economy practices.

Institutional Impact

UPSI moves closer to its Green Campus and Green University targets.
Recognised as a model for other Malaysian universities seeking curriculum-based sustainability integration.
Strong cross-faculty cooperation—an important indicator of long-term sustainability culture.

Alignment with the �鶹��Ƶ Model

The EduGreen Compost Program demonstrates full alignment with �鶹��Ƶ’s foundational principles:

1. Community-Identified Needs: Food waste and environmental awareness were key issues identified by:

HEPA,
MARDI,
campus management,
local communities.

2. University Courses Integrated

The Communication course integrates sustainability into academic learning, making the project part of structured coursework.

3. Long-Term Partnerships

UPSI (EduGreen Centre, FBK, HEPA),
MARDI,
schools and local communities.

4. Student Leadership and Engagement

Students lead compost operations, communication campaigns, workshops, and reporting—demonstrating authentic �鶹��Ƶ style engagement.

5. Scalable Model

The programme is now ready for:

Expansion to all UPSI faculties,
Replication in Malaysian schools through teacher training,
International demonstration to Central Asia and Southeast Asia through EduGreen partnerships.

Future Expansion

The next phase includes:

Integrating IoT and Smart Sensors for automated compost monitoring,
Producing research publications and a Composting Guidebook,
Expanding green entrepreneurship models for students,
Establishing EduGreen Compost Demo Sites in partner schools,
Preparing the programme as a national �鶹��Ƶ model case study.

The EduGreen Compost Program is a powerful example of how curriculum, community, and technology can merge under the �鶹��Ƶ approach.
By combining academic learning, local government support, and real environmental action, UPSI has created a scalable, impactful, and internationally relevant sustainability model. The programme continues to strengthen UPSI’s position as a regional leader in environmental education and green innovation, guided by the visionary leadership of Prof. Dr. Che Zalina Zulkifli and supported by dynamic faculty and community partners.