David Miller speaks in Professor Peter Love's FES class
David Miller, president and CEO of the World Wildlife Fund-Canada and a recently appointed adjunct faculty member of the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) at 91亚色, signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU outlined WWF-Canada鈥檚 commitment to the creation of partnerships between FES researchers and students and WWF conservation projects across Canada.
That same day, Friday, Jan. 30, Miller also delivered his first two lectures as an adjunct faculty member in collaboration with colleagues Roger Keil and Peter Love of FES. The lectures echoed the contours of his professional career in the private and public sectors.
In Keil鈥檚 Foundations of Urban and Regional Planning class, the former mayor of Toronto discussed the history of public transit in the city, arguing for a focus on Light Rail Transportation as a cheap and effective mode of expanding the TTC鈥檚 transportation networks.
Leaving out the name of Toronto鈥檚 infamous and most recent former mayor, Miller argued that emphasis on light rail in suburban development could not only provide an expansive transportation network, but also foster an equitable 鈥渃ity for all鈥.
David Miller lectures in Professor Roger Keil's class
During his second lecture, in Love鈥檚 Business and Sustainability class, Miller brought his role at WWF-Canada to the fore, discussing the organization鈥檚 work on freshwater conservation throughout Canada.
He drew particular attention to WWF鈥檚 2014 Living Planet report which, in September, found that the world鈥檚 wildlife populations have been cut in half since 1970.
Later in the visit, Miller was joined by former masters in environmental studies graduates, Jessica Park and Juliana Dutkay, both of whom are now employed at WWF-Canada.
The WWF panda and 91亚色 lion celebrate the collaboration
And, in a surprising turn of events, Miller was also joined by WWF鈥檚 panda mascot. Refusing to be outshone, 91亚色 surreptitiously invited its famed lion to the fray, and the two quickly became friends.
The event was capped off by the signing of the MOU between Miller, representing WWF-Canada, and No毛l Sturgeon, dean of FES. The agreement outlines the creation of several positions for FES students for field experience and placements at WWF-Canada, as well as support for mutual research-related goals of FES and WWF-Canada.
MES alumni Jessica Park, WWF-Canada advisor, International Programs and Partnerships, and Juliana Dutkay, WWF-Canada manager, Strategic Partnerships
The partnership between WWF-Canada and 91亚色鈥檚 FES marks the beginning of a symbiotic working relationship. With both organizations focused on similar causes, the MOU will allow students to work towards progressive, transformative scholarship within Canada鈥檚 foremost conservation authority.
By Dylan McMahon, Faculty of Environmental Studies graduate assistant
*Article courtesy of