Embark Sustainability Society

Food Rescue
2025-08-07 13:30 - 14:45 (America/Vancouver) | Blusson Hall – SFU Burnaby, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Embark Sustainability’s
Food Rescue Program
We collect healthy yet imperfect-looking produce that does not meet the selling criteria of supermarket chains and redistribute it to Simon Fraser University (SFU) students for free or by donation. Food is collected from Nesters Market and distributed at SFU Burnaby.
Stop by and grab some brain food between classes! Distribution takes place throughout each academic term and does not occur during exam periods or breaks between terms.
Summer 2025 Distribution Schedule

May 22 – August 7
Thursdays 1:30PM to 2:45PM
Blusson Hall (SFU Burnaby)

Community Kitchen: thức ăn cho mọi người
2025-09-24 17:30 - 21:30 | SUB Community Kitchen – SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Community Kitchen: thức ăn cho mọi người

Date & Time
Wed, September 24, 20255:30 PM – 9:30 PM PDT

Location
SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 – SFU Burnaby

Register now

This month’s Community Kitchen is hosted by Embark’s very own Board Chair, Anne! Anne will be share her favourite Vietnamese recipes as she discusses the role of Japanese wartime occupation and French colonialism in shaping Vietnamese culture and food systems. Behind beloved dishes like bánh mì and cà phê sữa đá lies a history of cultural assimilation, colonial violence, exploitation of farmers, and displacement from the land.
These systemic impacts are still felt today as Vietnam remains a major exporter of rice and coffee while many communities face unequal food access and local farmers continue to be exploited. Join us to reflect on these histories and celebrate resilience through food.
We’ll be making:

Bánh xèo (stuffed rice pancake)
Gỏi cuốn (spring roll)
Chè Ba Màu (three colour dessert)

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions and/or food allergies in the registration form ahead of the event.

AGENDA

Introductions and Housekeeping
Cooking and Activities
Eating and Discussion
Wrap-up and Clean-up

Land Acknowledgement
This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Anne Tran (she/her)Anne is a second-generation Vietnamese settler and student studying business. She has been involved with Embark since 2022 through the Food Rescue program, the Climate Equity Team, and currently serves as the Chair on Embark’s Board of Directors.
She is interested in exploring the intersections of food security, climate change, policy, and sustainable business. Some of Anne’s most cherished memories come from Vietnamese family gatherings—with conversations and laughter shared across generations over a meal. She is excited to share a taste of Vietnamese cuisine with others.

Event Accessibility

Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark Sustainability members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Sustainability Associate Members.
This event will be held indoors at the SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 of the Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Accessibility details include:

Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
Some appliances and counter areas of this room are not accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids. The dining/lounge area is accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids.
We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. We will be providing written recipe instructions.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety
Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this Event
get reminders & event details now

Climate Workshop: Rooted in Consent
2025-09-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Embark Sustainability’s SUB Learning Garden, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Climate Workshop: Rooted in Consent

Date & Time
Friday, September 26, 20251:00PM – 3:00PM

Location
SUB Learning Gardens (3000 level roof deck)

Register now

Join us with the SFU SVSPO to make herbal balms and zines in hands-on workshop on consent, care reciprocity with the land!

About the event
Everyday products often contain harmful or toxic ingredients, but caring for ourselves and the land doesn’t have to. Embark is excited to be joined by the SFU SVSPO for a climate workshop exploring reciprocal and sustainable relationships with the land by weaving embodied practices with reflective practices. Together, we’ll:

Learn how to harvest plants respectfully and understand their medicinal properties
Create soothing salves and balms with calendula and lavender oils
Reflect on ideas of reciprocity, care, and “consent beyond humans” through a guided zine-making activity

This workshop is more than just a DIY session—it’s a chance to slow down, listen, and connect. Participants will learn what it means to nurture sustainable, reciprocal relationships with the land and with each other.

Land ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Pablo Vimos (he/him)Pablo is a dedicated garden educator whose work cultivates both green spaces and young minds. With a focus on teaching children and youth how to grow food, care for garden beds, and create habitats that support local wildlife, Pablo brings ecological learning to life. Since 2015, he has served as the Garden Manager for Embark Sustainability, where he leads hands-on gardening programs for students at Simon Fraser University, grows fresh produce for Embark’s community kitchen, and oversees a range of community-driven initiatives. Passionate about sharing his expertise, Pablo finds joy in helping others take their first steps into the world of gardening.

Paola Quirós-Cruz (they/them)Paola is the Educator with the SVSPO and the 2024 recipient of the national Courage to Act Campus Educator Award. They coordinate and facilitate education and outreach initiatives for SFU and FIC undergraduate and graduate students. Their commitment as an Educator is to center the voices of historically marginalized groups, create reflective educational experiences through an intersectional lens, and find creative strategies to foster communities of care.

Event Accessibility
Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Associate Members.
This event will be held outdoors at the SUB Learning Gardens, on the 3000 level (third floor) roof deck of the Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Please review the following accessibility details:

Please dress appropriately for the weather. In the event of rain or other poor weather conditions, the event will be held indoors at the Embark Studio, room #1310 of the SUB (participants will be notified in advance).
Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
The event space is wheelchair accessible
All-gender and wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on the 1st floor inside the SUB.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide ASL interpretation at this time.

Please note: The workshop will include lavender, calendula, and beeswax as part of the activities and materials. We ask that those with allergies or sensitivities to any of these substances to inform us as soon as possible and take any other necessary precautions.
We strive to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If you have accessibility needs you’d like to share, please contact our Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety
Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this Event
get reminders & event details now

Climate Workshop: Peasant Struggle, Global Solidarity
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:30 | The Embark Studio, SUB 1310 - 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Climate Workshop: Peasant Struggle, Global Solidarity

Date & Time
Tuesday, October 7, 20256:00PM – 7:30PM

Location
Embark Studio (SUB 1310)

Register now

About the event
In light of Peasants’ Month, Embark is excited to be joined by CPSHR for a climate workshop on the resilience and struggles of peasant communities in the Philippines. Peasant farmers in the Philippines are on the frontlines of overlapping crises—climate breakdown, systemic corruption, land dispossession, militarization, and repeated violations of their basic rights.
Peasants are a class of people in the Philippines who work on the land of a feudal landlord—not to be confused with its derogatory connotation in Western contexts. For this month of solidarity, join us as we immerse ourselves in the lived realities of peasants through a narrative activity and teach-in. Together, we will connect the peasant struggle to the climate crisis and entrenched systems of corruption and land dispossession enforced by the state and backed by foreign corporations and banks. Through this collective dramatization, participants will not only witness the resilience and struggles of peasant communities but also be given a few options to stand in solitary. The workshop will close with a way to support political prisoners in the Philippines—many of whom are peasants and peasant rights advocates—and with concrete calls-to-action to advance genuine land reform and the broader fight for national democracy.
Plus, enjoy Jeff’s homemade Suman—a steamed sticky rice cake that peasants often eat.

Land ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Jeff (he/they)Jeff is an organizer with Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights (CPSHR) and regional coordinator for the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP Canada). He is passionate about human rights advocacy and building solidarity across borders with our partners across the sectors of workers, peasants, fisherfolk, and other civil society groups in the Philippine

Event Accessibility
Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Associate Members.
This event will be held indoors at the Embark Studio, room #1310 of the SUB Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Please review the following accessibility details:

Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
The event space is wheelchair accessible.
All-gender and wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on the same floor.
We welcome all gender identities and expressions.
We provide access to a quiet space for personal meditation, reflection, or prayers.
The event space is a tree nut and peanut-free zone
The event space is a scent-free zone.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide ASL interpretation at this time.

We strive to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If you have accessibility needs you’d like to share, please contact our Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety
Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Climate Equity Programs Coordinator at climate@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this Event
get reminders & event details now

Community Kitchen: Flavour of Us
2025-10-29 17:30 - 21:30 | SUB Community Kitchen – SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Community Kitchen: Flavour of Us

Date & Time
Wed, October 29, 20255:30 PM – 9:30 PM PDT

Location
SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 – SFU Burnaby

Register now

Join Embark, SVSPO, and WUSC for a community kitchen that invites participants to explore how food connects us to memory, identity, and resistance. Through shared meals and storytelling, we’ll reflect on who has access to land, seeds, and knowledge—and how communities can reclaim and protect their food traditions in the face of displacement, colonization, and inequity.
Beyond simply preparing food, we aim to create a space to celebrate the flavours and traditions that shape who we are, while honouring the histories that have impacted them. Together, we’ll cook, share stories, and reimagine what it means to belong by affirming the right of all people to define their own food systems and reclaim what nourishes us.
We’ll be making:

Chana Masala (served with rice)
Eggplant Mesa’a’ah (served with rice)
Hummus
Piña Colada cakes

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions and/or food allergies in the registration form ahead of the event.

AGENDA

Introductions and Housekeeping
Cooking and Activities
Eating and Discussion
Wrap-up and Clean-up

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to the kitchen, all are welcome! This event is first-come first-serve until we reach capacity, so we encourage you to register and arrive 10 minutes early. Thanks and see you there!✨

Land Acknowledgement
This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Wafaa Zaqout (she/her)Wafaa Zaqout is a Palestinian and naturalized Canadian who immigrated to Canada more than 15 years ago as a skilled professional. She brings over 25 years of experience in humanitarian aid and social support, working with vulnerable communities in both Palestine and British Columbia. Her career includes roles with international organizations such as the United Nations World Food Programme and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), as well as with non-profit settlement agencies in B.C. For the past six years, Wafaa has been at Simon Fraser University, where she supports refugee students and advances efforts to make the institution more equitable and accessible for refugee communities. For Wafaa, cooking has always been her way of building community and sharing kindness through food.

Paola Quiros-Cruz (they/them)Paola is the Educator with the SVSPO and the 2024 recipient of the national Courage to Act Campus Educator Award. They coordinate and facilitate education and outreach initiatives for SFU and FIC undergraduate and graduate students. Their commitment as an Educator is to center the voices of historically marginalized groups, create reflective educational experiences through an intersectional lens, and find creative strategies to foster communities of care.

Marie Haddad (she/her)Marie, an SFU Grad student and Coptic Egyptian, serves as the Director of Engagement at Embark Sustainability Society, where she develops and leads inclusive, community-focused initiatives. Before taking on this role, she spent five years as a student organizer dedicated to advancing equitable and sustainable education, uplifting marginalized communities, and championing intersectionality, anti-oppression, and anti-racism. As the inaugural VP of Equity and Sustainability at the SFSS, Marie helped drive landmark joint-campaigns such as the 15 Black Faculty Cluster Hiring, and SFU’s multi-million-dollar fossil fuel divestment – and led B.C.’s first unanimously passed policy on Palestinian Liberation and BDS at the SFSS, later adopted as a bylaw. She remains deeply committed to building strong communities and fostering transformative change.

Event Accessibility

Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark Sustainability members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Sustainability Associate Members.
This event will be held indoors at the SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 of the Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Accessibility details include:

Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
Some appliances and counter areas of this room are not accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids. The dining/lounge area is accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids.
We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. We will be providing written recipe instructions.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety
Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this Event
get reminders & event details now

Community Kitchen: စားနပ်ရိက္ခာ နှင့် အာဏာ - လူထုအတွက်စုဝေးပွဲ
2025-11-26 17:30 - 21:30 | SUB Community Kitchen – SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Community Kitchen: စားနပ်ရိက္ခာ နှင့် အာဏာ – လူထုအတွက်စုဝေးပွဲ

Date & Time
Wed, November 26, 20255:30 PM – 9:30 PM PDT

Location
SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 (SFU Burnaby)

Register now

How does our relationship to food change in the face of militarization? In this community kitchen, Burmese students Aung Chan Pyae and Phone Min Thant invite us to explore this question through the lens of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
As we prepare Burmese dishes together, our facilitators will share stories and insights on how militarization has disrupted food systems, livelihoods, and daily survival for Burmese communities. Together, we’ll reflect on what access to affordable and sustainable food looks like amid systemic displacement, scarcity, and resistance.
We’ll be making:

ကြက်ဥချက် (Egg Curry) – Served with rice
ဂေါ်ရခါးသီးဟင်းခါး (Chayote Soup)* – Served with rice
အုန်းနို့သာကူ (Coconut sago) – Dessert

* The Chayote Soup is a dish containing shellfish (shrimp powder). Please let us know of any dietary restrictions and/or food allergies in the registration form ahead of the event.

AGENDA

Introductions and Housekeeping
Cooking and Activities
Eating and Discussion
Wrap-up and Clean-up

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to the kitchen, all are welcome! This event is first-come first-serve until we reach capacity, so we encourage you to register and arrive 10 minutes early. Thanks and see you there!✨

Land Acknowledgement
This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

Aung Chan Pyae (William) (he/him)Aung Chan Pyae (William) is a third-year Beedie student born and raised in Myanmar (Burma). Since coming to Canada in late-2022, William has been actively involved in the Canadian Food and Beverage Industry, having worked at various restaurants across Metro Vancouver. He has also been enthusiastically engaged with Beedie, having taken part in numerous case competitions, community initiatives, and projects. Outside of academic and professional career, William has a profound love for cooking, a hobby he has pursued since he was a child back home. As someone who has seen Myanmar’s conflicted political situation first-hand, William will be combining his love for cooking with his aspirations to introduce Burmese cuisine to the SFU student community.
Phone Min Thant (he/him/they)Phone is a third-year (Honours) student in the SFU School for International Studies who was also born and raised in Myanmar (Burma). He serves as the Food Justice Coordinator at Embark Sustainability Society, where he plays a leading role in organizing and administering community-oriented food justice-related events alongside the Food Justice Collective. His academic research interests and works include Southeast Asian politics and diplomacy, armed conflict studies, defence and demilitarization affairs. He also actively participates in the policy realm, having authored two policy briefs on various topics. His past experience includes being a research assistant for the Research Network for Women, Peace, and Security (RN-WPS). Currently, Phone is also serving as the Arts & Culture Editor at the Peak student newspaper and as a lead tutor (and site coordinator) for the Friends of Simon Tutoring Program.

Event Accessibility

Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark Sustainability members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Sustainability Associate Members.
This event will be held indoors at the SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 of the Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Accessibility details include:

Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
Some appliances and counter areas of this room are not accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids. The dining/lounge area is accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids.
We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. We will be providing written recipe instructions.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety
Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Food justice Programs Coordinator at food@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this Event
get reminders & event details now

SFSS Clubs Day (Surrey)
2026-01-07 11:00 - 14:00 | SFU Surrey Mezzanine, 250-13450 102 Ave, Surrey, British Columbia, V3T 0A3
SFSS Clubs Day (Surrey)

Date & Time
Wed, Jan 7, 202611:00AM – 2:00 PM PST

Location
Mezzanine (SFU Surrey)

Join us at SFSS Clubs Day! Stop by Embark’s table to learn what exciting events, programs, and opportunities to look out for this term. Plus, help yourself to some free Embark swag.

SFUReady (Burnaby)
2026-01-07 12:00 - 15:00 | SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
SFUReady (Burnaby)

Date & Time
Wed, Jan 7, 202612:00PM – 3:00 PM PST

Location
AQ North (SFU Burnaby)

Join us at SFUReady! Stop by Embark’s table to learn what exciting events, programs, and opportunities to look out for this term. Plus, help yourself to some free Embark swag.

SFUReady (Surrey)
2026-01-08 12:00 - 15:00 | SFU Surrey Mezzanine, 250-13450 102 Ave, Surrey, British Columbia, V3T 0A3
SFUReady (Surrey)

Date & Time
Wed, Jan 8, 202612:00PM – 3:00 PM PST

Location
Mezzanine (SFU Surrey)

Join us at SFUReady! Stop by Embark’s table to learn what exciting events, programs, and opportunities to look out for this term. Plus, help yourself to some free Embark swag.

Deadline to Apply: Garden Works & Stewardship Volunteer
2026-01-09 | BC
GROW WITH US
Opportunities

Garden Works & Stewardship Volunteer

Type: Volunteer (honorarium available)Location: SFU – Burnaby CampusReports to: Gardens Manager
Sessions:

Shifts: ~1.5 hours weekly on Thursdays from 11:00AM to 12:30PM
Location: Learning Gardens located behind Maggie Benston Centre. Location may be subject to change, but all sessions will occur at SFU – Burnaby Campus.

Duration and Dates

Mandatory Detailed Training: Thu, Jan 15
First Work Session: Thu, Jan 22
Last Session: Thu, March 12

Application Deadline: 11:59PM PST on Friday, Jan 9, 2026.

APPLY HERE

Embark Sustainability is a resource hub empowering SFU students on their sustainability journeys through dialogue and transformative action. Our mission is to create a hub that empowers and resources SFU students and allies in their sustainability journeys. We serve transformative communities by centring anti-oppression, decolonization, and equity in impactful programming, events, and initiatives. Through this work, we spark dialogue and drive action to dismantle oppressive frameworks within institutions and our interconnected climate and food systems.

About the Role
The Garden Works & Stewardship Crew is responsible for supporting the build, movement, installation, and improvement of Embark’s garden infrastructure. While most gardening roles focus on planting and tending, this crew focuses on the physical work that makes growing possible – moving soil, relocating structures, organizing spaces, and supporting long-term site improvements. You will learn tool-use, teamwork, and hands-on sustainability practices while creating thriving student food spaces.

Responsiblities
In this role, you will be tasked with the following:

Complete onboarding training to ensure safe and confident participation in all activities.
Infrastructure Removal & Disposal: Removing, organizing, and properly disposing of planks of wood, plastic pallets, landscape fabric, metal rods, and lava rocks.
Soil Transfer & Bed Preparation: Transporting soil across sites and distributing it into garden beds at Embark’s Learning Gardens
Tree & Element Relocation:

Removing trees from boxes, triming roots, relocations and transplanting into new garden areas
Assisting with the relocation of other garden structures (e.g., Little Library, solar panel, raised garden beds).

Garden Organization: Cleaning and arranging garden sheds and storage boxes to maintain a safe and efficient workspace.
Water System Support: Assisting with the installation of self-watering systems at the SUB Learning Garden.
General Labour: Shovelling, wheelbarrowing, lifting, and site clean-up.

Please note: Additional labour tasks may be assigned as needed to support site needs and project progress.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will meet the following qualifications:

Availability at SFU Burnaby on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
Currently an SFU undergraduate student, graduate student, or Embark associate member.
Willingness to perform physical labour tasks.
A desire to work with an engaged team of people, and to be comfortable working outdoors in all conditions.
Interest in sustainability, food systems, and community spaces.
All materials are provided; just bring your energy, garden gloves, a water bottle, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Perks Upon Program Completion
After successful completion of the program, volunteers will receive:

$200 Honorarium (Issued at the end of the program after verifying attendance, onboarding completion, and active participation)
Co-Curricular Credit (CCR): A valuable credential for job and grad school applications.
Reference Letter: From the Gardens Manager or Director of Engagement (upon request).
Knowledge and Skills: Experience developing practical garden infrastructure/worksite skills
Strength, connection, and real satisfaction in seeing your impact on campus spaces

Honorarium Details
After the final session, an honorarium of $200 will be awarded to each volunteer that meets all of the following requirements:

Attendance of at least 8 of 9 weekly sessions
Completion of onboarding and training
Active participation and communication regarding absences
Tasks completed safely and respectfully

Accessibility
Sustained, physical labour is central to this role; however, we are happy to accommodate where possible. If you have access needs or questions about job tasks, please email us at gardens@embarksustainability.org before applying.

To Apply
Please review this posting in full. You will need to provide your contact information and complete the application form below by the registration deadline on Friday, January 9 at 11:59PM.
Please note that only successful candidates will be invited to join the Garden Works & Stewardship crew on . If you have any questions, please contact Embark’s Gardens Manager at: gardens@embarksustainability.org.

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Climate Workshop: The Politics of Mutual Aid
2026-01-13 18:30 - 20:00 | The Embark Studio, SUB 1310 - 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Climate Workshop: The Politics of Mutual Aid

Date & Time
Tue, Jan 13, 20266:30PM – 8:00PM

Location
Embark Studio (SUB 1310)

Register now

About the event
In the face of a climate crisis, what forms of care keep us alive and connected? Join us with Ren from Distro Disco in this workshop where we will explore mutual aid as a practice of care, resistance, and collective survival—both within and beyond monetary exchange. Through discussion and hands-on collaboration, participants will examine how mutual aid networks sustain marginalized communities in the face of systemic inequities and the climate crisis.
Together, we’ll:

Learn the foundations of mutual aid: what it is, what it isn’t, and how it differs from charity or institutional aid.
Explore the connections between mutual aid and climate equity, considering how community-based redistribution and solidarity work build resilience amid environmental and social crises.
Put together “distro” (distribution) packages for community care.

Let’s connect, imagine, and practice the kinds of care that can carry us and our communities through crisis and change!

AGENDA

Welcome & Grounding
Presentation: What is Mutual Aid?
Group Activity: Distro Bag Assembly
Reflection & Discussion
Closing & Clean-Up

Land ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Ren (they/themRen is a Chinese diasporic queer and trans settler living on the unceded land of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations. Ren is currently completing an internship to become a music therapist and is near completion of their Bachelor of Music Therapy at Capilano University. They have been with Distro Disco (DD)—a mobile free store of supplies run by volunteers—for two years, mainly operating in fundraising, supply sourcing, and social media for DD. For Ren, Distro Disco was their entry point into grassroots organizing, and the concept of community care continues to shape their life musically, artistically, and through their activism and therapy work. In their spare time, they enjoy singing in choirs, painting, cracking jokes, and petting animals of all sorts.

Follow Distro Disco

Event Accessibility
Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Associate Members.
This event will be held indoors at the Embark Studio, room #1310 of the SUB Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Please review the following accessibility details:

Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
The event space is wheelchair accessible.
All-gender and wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on the same floor.
We welcome all gender identities and expressions.
We provide access to a quiet space for personal meditation, reflection, or prayers.
The event space is a tree nut and peanut-free zone
The event space is a scent-free zone.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide ASL interpretation at this time.

We strive to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If you have accessibility needs you’d like to share, please contact our Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety
Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Climate Equity Programs Coordinator at climate@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this Event
get reminders & event details now

SFSS Clubs Day (Burnaby)
2026-01-14 11:00 - 14:00 | Blusson Hall – SFU Burnaby, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
SFSS Clubs Day (Burnaby)

Date & Time
Wed, Jan 14, 202611:00AM – 2:00 PM PST

Location
Throughout AQ, Saywell Hall, & Blusson Hall

Join us at SFSS Clubs Day! Stop by Embark’s table to learn what exciting events, programs, and opportunities to look out for this term. Plus, help yourself to some free Embark swag.

Deadline to Apply: Food Rescue Distributor (Spring)
2026-01-15 | BC
GROW WITH US
Opportunities

Food Rescue Distributor (Spring)

Type: VolunteerLocation: SFU – Burnaby CampusReports to: Director of Engagement

Shifts: ~3 hours per week on Thursdays from 12:50PM to 3:00PM. Occasional bin drop-offs on Mondays or Tuesdays on a rotating basis.
Mandatory Orientation: Week of Jan 17 to Jan 21 (self-guided materials to read through on your own time)Detailed Training: Thurs, Jan 22, 12:00PM – 2:00PMFirst Distribution: Thurs, Jan 29, 12:40PM* – 3:00PM (*One-time, earlier start for day-of walk along)Last Distribution: Thurs, Apr 9, 12:50PM – 3:00PM
Application Deadline: 11:59PM PST on Thurs, Jan 15

APPLY HERE

Embark Sustainability is a resource hub empowering SFU students on their sustainability journeys through dialogue and transformative action. Our mission is to create a hub that empowers and resources SFU students and allies in their sustainability journeys. We serve transformative communities by centring anti-oppression, decolonization, and equity in impactful programming, events, and initiatives. Through this work, we spark dialogue and drive action to dismantle oppressive frameworks within institutions and our interconnected climate and food systems.

About the Role
Food Rescue Distributors play a critical role in running the Food Rescue program. In this exciting role, you will work with your team to gather knowledge about food justice concepts in localized contexts and also apply these concepts through our programming.

Responsibilities

Complete onboarding training and learnings in order to engage SFU students about important food justice topics and issues.
Explore food justice materials with other volunteers and with the Director of Engagement on a regular basis.
Work with Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement and the team to facilitate the program on a weekly basis, including set up and clean up.
Assist in redistributing Embark Sustainability’s Learning Gardens Produce when there is a surplus.
Occasionally assist in the redistribution of foods to community partners and assist with pre- and post-distribution, which includes cleaning up the materials and ensuring all materials are returned to their proper location in the Embark Studio.
Attend a semesterly check-in meeting with Embark’s Director of Engagement.

Requirements

Availability at SFU Burnaby on Thursdays from 12:30PM – 3:00PM
Availability on some Mondays or Tuesdays for independent bin drop-offs to Nesters.
Currently an SFU undergraduate student, graduate student, or Embark associate member.
A desire to work with an engaged team of people!
Interest and willingness to learn about Food Distributions, Food Justice, Intersectionality and Anti-Oppression.

Health Precautions
Volunteers are encouraged to wear masks, and must engage in mandatory hand washing and maintain a respectful amount of space between each other. Hand sanitizer will be provided, as well as disinfecting wipes and disposable gloves. All equipment used will be sanitized after each use. Food will be packaged by volunteers to reduce the time participants spend picking up produce, and a no-touch distribution process will be incorporated.

To Apply
To apply, please review this posting in full. You will need to provide your contact information and complete the application form below by the application deadline on Thursday, January 15 at 11:59PM.
Please note that only successful candidates will be invited to join the Food Rescue team on Thursday, January 16. If you have any questions, please contact Embark’s Director of Engagement at: engagement@embarksustainability.org.

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SFSS Clubs Day (Burnaby)
2026-01-15 11:00 - 14:00 | Blusson Hall – SFU Burnaby, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
SFSS Clubs Day (Burnaby)

Date & Time
Wed, Jan 15, 202611:00AM – 2:00 PM PST

Location
Throughout AQ, Saywell Hall, & Blusson Hall

Join us at SFSS Clubs Day! Stop by Embark’s table to learn what exciting events, programs, and opportunities to look out for this term. Plus, help yourself to some free Embark swag.

Food Rescue
2026-01-22 13:30 - 14:45, 2026-01-29 13:30 - 14:45, 2026-02-05 13:30 - 14:45, 2026-02-12 13:30 - 14:45, 2026-02-26 13:30 - 14:45, 2026-03-05 13:30 - 14:45, 2026-03-12 13:30 - 14:45, 2026-03-19 13:30 - 14:45 | BC
Embark Sustainability’s
Food Rescue Program
We collect healthy yet imperfect-looking produce that does not meet the selling criteria of supermarket chains and redistribute it to Simon Fraser University (SFU) students for free or by donation. Food is collected from Nesters Market and distributed at SFU Burnaby.
Stop by and grab some brain food between classes! Distribution takes place throughout each academic term and does not occur during exam periods or breaks between terms.

Community Kitchen: Rooted in Soil, United in Struggle
2026-01-28 17:30 - 21:30 | SUB Community Kitchen – SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Community Kitchen: Rooted in Soil, United in Struggle

Date & Time
Wed, Jan 28, 20265:30 PM – 9:30 PM PST

Location
SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 (SFU Burnaby)

Register now

ABOUT THE EVENT

What does it mean to be Rooted in Soil and United in Struggle? Join us with Salma and Samia for a community kitchen that defines and bridges the shared agrarian struggles between Indonesia and Rwanda.
Indonesia and Rwanda both have predominantly agrarian economies, yet food insecurity, displacement, and the exploitation of farmers amoung several other forms of oppression are rampant within these nations. As they share their favourite Indonesian and Rwandan recipes, Salma and Samia will guide us in a discussion about this joint struggle to emphasize the importance of building international solidarity towards food justice.
Let’s cook, eat, and reflect together on how land, food, and collective resistance connect our struggles across borders.
We’ll be making:

Nasi Uduk & Ayam Goreng (coconut milk rice with fried chicken)
Isombe (cassava stew with rice)
Mizuzu (fried plantains)
Es Cincau (iced grass jelly drink)

All dishes are Halal. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions and/or food allergies in the registration form ahead of the event.

AGENDA

Introductions and Housekeeping
Cooking and Activities
Eating and Discussion
Wrap-up and Clean-up

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to the kitchen, all are welcome! This event is first-come first-serve until we reach capacity, so we encourage you to register and arrive 10 minutes early. Thanks and see you there!✨

Land Acknowledgement
This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

Event Accessibility

Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark Sustainability members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Sustainability Associate Members.
This event will be held indoors at the SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 of the Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Accessibility details include:

Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
Some appliances and counter areas of this room are not accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids. The dining/lounge area is accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids.
We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. We will be providing written recipe instructions.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety
Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Food justice Programs Coordinator at food@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this Event
get reminders & event details now

Deadline to Apply: Board of Directors 2026-2028
2026-01-29 | BC
Join Embark Sustainability’s Board of Directors!

POSITIONS

Apply

FAQ

Apply by January 29th, 2026

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Govern a nonprofit society cultivating food and climate justice in your community
A resume-builder and community-builder wrapped up in one! Embark’s elected Board Members represent the society’s 35,000+ undergraduate and graduate student members, ensuring the work and mission of Embark Sustainability are in alignment with the climate and food justice interests of their peers. Join the Board to have a say in this organization’s future.

Find your fit
Open Positions



Treasurer
The Treasurer ensures consistency across the Society’s budgets and finances, and assists the Co-Directors to prepare an annual budget for Embark.

Approximate hours of work per week:
2-3 hours/week
Contribute From:
March 2026 – March 2028

LEARN MORE



Governance Officer
The Governance Officer is in charge of policy decisions, as well as ensuring all existing policies are reviewed and updated on a timely basis.

Approximate hours of work per week:
2-3 hours/week
Contribute From:
March 2026 – March 2028
LEARN MORE



Secretary
The Secretary supports the Chair to create board meeting agendas and take minutes during meetings, and assists the Board in carrying out essential tasks.

Approximate hours of work per week:
2-3 hours/week
Contribute From:
March 2026 – March 2028
LEARN MORE



JEDDI Officer
The JEDDI Officer works collaboratively with others to help foster an inclusive environment and encourage social justice advocacy within the organization.

Approximate hours of work per week:
2-3 hours/week
Contribute From:
March 2026 – March 2028
LEARN MORE

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
How to Apply

1. Attend an Info Session
Sign up below
Can’t make any of the dates? Email info@embarksustainability.org.

2. Complete Your Nomination Form
download, fill andcollect signatures

Nomination Form

3. Submit Your Board Application
upload your NOMINATION form, headshot, and other details

4. RSVP for the AGM
February 12th, 2026, 5:30-7:30 pmSUB BALLROOM

FAQs
Let us answer all your questions

What are Board Members responsible for?
As a Board Member, you are responsible for the governance of the Society. Board Members are trustees on behalf of all SFU students and other associate members of the Society. The Board of Directors determines the organization’s mission and purpose, selects and supports the executive director, monitors the organization’s programs and services, ensures effective fiscal and risk management, engages in strategic planning, orients new board members, ensures optimal board performance, and enhances the organization’s public image.

What is the expected commitment of an Embark Board Member?
2-3 hours per week, depending on the role.

How often do Embark Board meetings occur?
Once per month.

When are Board meetings?
The date and time of Board meetings is determined at the beginning of each semester to align with the schedules of all Board Members.

What happens at Board meetings?
Board meetings focus on the governance of the organization and are typically high-level. Items such as policies, contracts, and expenditure approvals, as well as long-term strategic planning, are carried out at Board meetings.

How many meetings will I have per month?
Depends on the role, likely 3-4 meetings per month including committee meetings.

Do I have enough experience to be on the Board?
Yes! This is a learning position. As long as you are willing to work hard at your position and learn quickly, you have enough experience to be on the board.

How do I know which position I should run for?
Read through the position descriptions and try to think realistically about what you would be most interested in spending your time doing and what position you think would best compliment your talents. Don’t limit yourself based on what you’ve done before, think about what you know you’re capable of doing!

What positions are available?
Multiple postitions are available and you can find them here!

What happens at the Annual General Meeting?
All candidates for a certain position will be asked a series of questions as a panel, after which people will vote for the candidate whose answers best match their own beliefs. Votes will be tallied and winners will be announced by the end of the AGM.

When is the Annual General Meeting?
Thursday, February 12th from 5:30PM to 7:30PM in the SUB Ballroom.

Is there anything I have to complete to be to be considered as an applicant?
Yes!
1. Register for and attend a 20 minute virtual Board Info Session. Can’t make the dates? Email info@embarksustainability.org.
2. Complete the Board Nomination Form.
3. Submit your Board Nomination Form and other key details through our Submission Portal. We will send you a follow up email within a few days letting you know we received your application.
4. Attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that would be held on February 13th at the SUB Ballroom in person.

Keeping Track
Important Dates

If you have any questions please email info@embarksustainability.org

January 19

Information Session

4:00PM – 4:30PM

January 20

Information SessioN

5:30PM – 6:00PM

January 22

Information Session

5:30PM – 6:00PM

January 23

Information Session

5:30PM – 6:00PM

January 29

application deadline

BY 11:59PM

February 12

annual general meeting

5:30PM – 7:30PM

Information Sessions (Online)

January 19 | 4:00PM – 4:30PM
January 20 | 5:30PM – 6:00PM
January 22 | 5:30PM – 6:00PM
January 23 | 5:30PM – 6:00PM

Application Deadline

January 29 at 11:59PM PST

Annual General Meeting

February 12 | 5:30PM – 7:30PM | SUB Ballroom (to be confirmed)

Our Location

Embark Sustainability’s work takes place across the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen Nations. We greatly encourage our community members to reflect on the lands they are tuning in from; learn whose lands you occupy through native-land.ca.
SUB 1310 - 8888 University DriveBurnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6
Trouble finding us? Here's a map

Stay Connected

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Stuff you want to know

Theory of Change
Acknowledgements & Values
Programs
Events
Donate
Contact us

© 2023 Embark Sustainability Society All Rights Reserved. Registered Non-profit | Privacy Policy & Cookies

Our Location

Embark Sustainability’s work takes place across the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen Nations. We greatly encourage our community members to reflect on the lands they are tuning in from; learn whose lands you occupy through native-land.ca.
SUB 1310 - 8888 University DriveBurnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6
Trouble finding us? Here's a map

Stay Connected

FollowFollowFollowFollow

Supported by

Stuff you want to know

Theory of Change
Acknowledgements & Values
Programs
Events
Donate
Contact us

© 2023 Embark Sustainability Society All Rights Reserved. Registered Non-profit | Privacy Policy & Cookies

Deadline to Apply: Garden Plot Rentals
2026-01-30 | BC
GROW WITH US
Opportunities

Learning Garden Plot Rental

Type: Garden Plot RentalLocation: SFU – Burnaby CampusRental Management: Gardens Manager
Plot type: 1 x outdoor garden bed (12 sq-ft)Rental fee: $20
Rental period options:

Remainder of current season: until Jan 31, 2026
Full year: Feb 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Spring/Summer: Feb 1, 2026 – Aug 31, 2026 (group use only)

Registration Deadline: 11:59PM PST on Fri, Jan 30, 2026

REGISTER HERE

Embark Sustainability is a resource hub empowering SFU students on their sustainability journeys through dialogue and transformative action. Our mission is to create a hub that empowers and resources SFU students and allies in their sustainability journeys. We serve transformative communities by centring anti-oppression, decolonization, and equity in impactful programming, events, and initiatives. Through this work, we spark dialogue and drive action to dismantle oppressive frameworks within institutions and our interconnected climate and food systems.

About Plot Rentals
If you’re looking to grow with us across semesters, we offer low-barrier plot rentals on an annual basis for individuals and groups, providing access to space, soil, tools, and support. It’s a great way to create campus downtime away from screens and cement, reflect and reconnect with nature, or build community with your union or club.
Produce from unassigned plots is distributed back to students through Embark’s Community Kitchens, Food Rescue program and other food security initiatives on SFU campuses.

Rental Details & Fees
Renters will be assigned up to 1 outdoor garden bed (12 sq. ft.).
The cost of a plot rental is $20. Please note that this is a non-refundable fee that applies to all rental period options.
What does your rental fee cover?

1 garden plot
Water from hoses
Soil amendment
Communal gardening tools
Gardening support from Embark’s Garden’s Manager

Plot Request Process
Step 1: Fill in Registration Form
Step 2: Attend an in-person meeting with the Gardens Manager
Step 3: Sign the Plot Rental Agreement and Liability Form
Step 4: Pay the NON-REFUNDABLE plot rental fees.

Plot Assignment
Garden plots are assigned from highest to lowest priority according to the list below, subject to availability:

Returning gardeners-in-good-standing who want the same plot
Returning gardeners-in-good-standing who want a different plot
Associated gardeners who want the same plot, where the member is in-good-standing but does not wish to return.
Associated gardeners who want a different plot must join the waiting list
New Gardeners
Previous gardeners that did not meet the member-in-good standing requirements. Their return is at the discretion of the Gardens Manager. You will get an invitation for an in-person meeting with the Garden Manager if and when a garden bed becomes available.

To Register
To apply, please review this posting in full. You will need to provide your contact information and complete the application form below by the registration deadline on Friday, January 30 at 11:59PM.
Please note that only successful candidates will be invited to rent a plot. If you have any questions, please contact Embark’s Gardens Manager at: gardens@embarksustainability.org.

Ready to apply?
Fill out this form

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Annual General Meeting 2026
2026-02-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Student Union Building – SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Annual General Meeting

Date & Time
Thu, Feb 12, 20265:30 PM – 7:30 PM PDT

Location
SUB 4200

Register now

Join us at our Annual General Meeting to celebrate this past year’s accomplishments and elect new Board Members. This is your opportunity to have your say as a student member—and to win awesome prizes!
The AGM Booklet (including information on how to vote) will be provided digitally closer to the event. Please RSVP with your SFU student email address for voting purposes; non SFU emails will not be able to access the AGM.

Land Acknowledgement
Embark Sustainability’s work takes place across the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen Nations. We greatly encourage our community members to reflect on the lands they are tuning in from; learn whose lands you occupy through native-land.ca.

Event Accessibility
Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Associate Members. For this event, you will have to register with your active SFU email.
This event will be held indoors at SFU Burnaby in the SUB Ballroom (located on the 5th floor of the SUB). Accessibility details to note include:

The fifth floor of the SUB is accessible via elevator and hosts accessible washrooms, including a single-stall all gender washroom.
We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. However, we can provide a copy of the facilitator’s script.
Sturdy, armless chairs will be available for those looking to sit during this event.
Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, or if you have any questions, please contact us at info@embarksustainability.org.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability at info@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this event
GET YOUR TICKET NOW

Garden Workshop: On the Way to Full Bloom
2026-03-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Embark Sustainability’s Burnaby Learning Garden, Science Road, Burnaby, BC, Canada
Garden Workshop: On the Way to Full Bloom

Date & Time
Fri, Mar 6, 20262:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT

Location
Burnaby Learning Garden (Maggie Benston Field via Science Rd.)

Register now

Join our Gardens Manager, Pablo Vimos, for a hands-on workshop on the best tips and tricks for indoor seed-starting! If you want to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce this spring, look no further. This experience will guide you through four methods of seeding cool crops like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, pak choi, and spinach. Plus, you’ll leave with:

Started seeds to nurture at home 🌱
Printed guides with step-by-step instructions 📖
Extra seeds to keep your garden growing 🎁

AGENDA

Registration
Welcome & Land Acknowledgment
Seed Starting Approaches
Garden Planning
Hands-on activities
Wrap up & Closing

This workshop is open to all experience levels and physical abilities, so come ready to dig in, learn, and set yourself up for a thriving garden season!
Spots are limited, so sign up now to kickstart your garden with confidence!

Land Acknowledgement
This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Pablo Vimos (he/him)
Pablo is an organic master gardener with a degree in Landscape Ecology. He has been managing Embark gardens for a decade, facilitating hands-on activities on how to grow food, plant and maintain gardening beds, and build wildlife habitats. He loves sharing his knowledge to help others start their gardening journey.

Event Accessibility
Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark Sustainability members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Sustainability Associate Members.
This workshop will be held outdoors at the Burnaby Learning Garden (Maggie Benston Field, via Science Rd.), SFU Burnaby. Accessibility details include:

Easy access from Science Road.
If weather conditions are poor, this workshop will be held indoors at the Embark Studio, room #1310 of the SUB, SFU Burnaby.
All materials will be provided to participants.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety
Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Pablo, Embark Sustainability’s Garden’s Manager at gardens@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this Event
GET REMINDERS & EVENT DETAILS NOW

Land, Labour, and Liberation
2026-03-07 13:30 - 17:30 | SUB Ballroom – SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Land, Labour, and Liberation

Date & Time
Sat, Mar 7th, 20261:30 PM – 5:30 PM PDT

Location
SUB Ballroom (5th. floor)

Register now

Food Justice asks a simple but urgent question: who controls our food, and at whose expense? Across colonial states, food systems are shaped by land dispossession, racialized labour exploitation, and policies that produce food insecurity while concentrating power.
Join us for a critical discussion led by scholar and community organizers Evelyn Encalada Grez, Nasya, and Byron, who are each at the forefront of advancing migrant justice and Indigenous food sovereignty. Their collective wealth of knowledge and experience will guide our exploration of:

Migrant labour struggles in agriculture: exploitation, racialization, precarity, and exclusion from rights within colonial labour regimes.

The weaponization of food systems by colonial states: land dispossession, food insecurity, and agricultural control function as tools of governance and oppression
What students can do: how to build true solidarity towards more just and sovereign food systems

Together, we’ll connect these struggles to the broader fight for food justice—one rooted in sovereignty, dignity, and collective responsibility.

Land Acknowledgement
Embark Sustainability’s work takes place across the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen Nations. We greatly encourage our community members to reflect on the lands they are tuning in from; learn whose lands you occupy through native-land.ca.

AGenda

1:20PM |Doors Open for Registration
1:30PM | Food Service Begins
1:45PM | Land Acknowledgement with Elder Les George
2:15PM | Introductions
2:30PM | Key Note Session Part 1
3:15PM | Break
3:30PM | Key Note Session Part 2
4:15PM | Zine-making Activity
5:15PM | Closing Remarks

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Evelyn Encalada Grez (she/her)Evelyn Encalada Grez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Labour Studies Program at SFU. She is the co-founder of Justice for Migrant Workers, a collective that has been at the forefront of the migrant farmworker movement in Canada for over 20 years. She is an award-winning scholar and organizer specializing in transnational labour-migration, migrant justice, and community-engaged research.

Nasya Moore (she/her)Nasya is a scientist from the Nisga’a Nation and Leq’a:mel First Nation. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, where she studied Indigenous Food Systems. Her work is informed by curiosity and culturally grounded learning, and an understanding of resilient foodways as healing Indigenous lands and peoples. Passionate about youth engagement and language revitalization, she supports growing food sovereignty and youth education programs in her home territory of the Nass River valley. Nasya is excited to continue contributing to the reclamation and resilience of Indigenous food systems throughout the west coast.

Byron Cruz (he/him) Byron came to Canada fleeing persecution for resisting inequity and State violence in Guatemala. He is currently a community organizer. He is also an active member of the Sanctuary Health Collective and Migrant Rights Network, a grassroots collective advocating universal access to healthcare, education, and social services for all. His passion to build a society rooted in equity, human rights, dignified working conditions, and high quality of life has led him to organize grassroots community efforts to ensure that the essential needs of the people are met and services are provided.

ABOUT EMBARK’S ANNUAL FOOD JUSTICE EVENTS
Every spring, the students of Embark’s Food Justice Collective organize one large event as part of our Food Justice programming to wrap up the school year. It aims to bridge students and the wider community in jointly discussing global issues impacting food security and food sovereignty

Event Accessibility
Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Associate Members. For this event, you will have to register with your active SFU email.
This event will be held indoors at SFU Burnaby in the SUB Ballroom (located on the 5th floor of the SUB). Accessibility details to note include:

The fifth floor of the SUB is accessible via elevator and hosts accessible washrooms, including a single-stall all gender washroom.
We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. However, we can provide a copy of the facilitator’s script.
Sturdy, armless chairs will be available for those looking to sit during this event.
Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, or if you have any questions, please contact our Director of Engagement, Marie, at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact our Food Justice Coordinator, Phone, at food@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this event
GET YOUR TICKET NOW

Lived Realities of the Climate Crisis
2026-03-19 14:00 - 18:00 | SUB Ballroom – SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Lived Realities of the Climate Crisis

Our Grandmother the Inlet: A Special Screening with Filmmaker Kai George

Date & Time
Thu, Mar 19th, 20262:00 PM – 6:00 PM PDT

Location
SUB Ballroom (5th. floor)

Register now

In the face of the climate crisis, colonial systems continue to extract from lands and waters while marginalizing the very communities who have stewarded them for generations. Climate change is not an isolated environmental issue, but a justice issue rooted in dispossession, erasure, and unequal responsibility.
Join us for an afternoon of learning, reflection, and shared conversation as we gather for a screening of Our Grandmother the Inlet (2023) by filmmaker Kai George, followed by a facilitated discussion and food. Together, we will explore:

Indigenous voices in the climate crisis: youth leadership, cultural resurgence, and art as resistance in the face of ongoing colonization.
Relationality in practice: understanding land and water as living relations, not resources.
What climate equity requires: confronting colonial histories and building collective responsibility toward reconciliation and climate justice

Let’s connect storytelling, film, and dialogue to the broader struggle for climate equity!

Land Acknowledgement
Embark Sustainability’s work takes place across the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen Nations. We greatly encourage our community members to reflect on the lands they are tuning in from; learn whose lands you occupy through native-land.ca.

AGenda

2:00PM | Doors Open for Registration
2:50PM | Drumming & Song by Cedar George
3:10PM | Appreciation & Gifting Ceremony
3:20PM | Land Acknowledgement by Rebecca Ballard
3:30PM | Introducing Filmmaker Kai George
4:20PM | Film Screening
4:30PM | Break & Food Service
4:50PM | Discussion Panel
5:50PM | Closing Remarks

ABOUT THE FIlm
Delving into the ancestral lineage of the George family, the film explores the significance of [Kai] and Ta7a’s deep connection to water, revered in the Tsleil-Waututh Nation as their oldest grandmother and the birthplace of creation.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Kai (Kayah) George (she/they)Kai is an Indigenous filmmaker, activist, and student from the Tulalip and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Her work blends storytelling, environmental advocacy, and cultural revitalization. She co-wrote, directed, and produced Our Grandmother the Inlet (2023), which received an honourable mention for Best Canadian Short at the Vancouver International Film Festival and won the Trickster Award at SFU’s Skoden indigenous film festival. Kayah is currently co-directing a National Geographic-funded educational documentary series on orcas and matriarchy with Danielle Khan Da Silva. Recognized in Globe and Mail and named one of Corporate Knights’ “30 Under 30” sustainability leaders in Canada, she continues to work in film and activism. Alongside filmmaking, she studies Linguistics and Psychology at Simon Fraser University.

ABOUT EMBARK’S ANNUAL CLIMATE EQUITY EVENTS
Every spring, the students of Embark’s Climate Equity Collective organize one large event as part of our Climate Equity programming to wrap up the school year. It aims to bridge students and the wider community in meaningful conversation and collective action towards climate equity.

Event Accessibility
Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Associate Members. For this event, you will have to register with your active SFU email.
This event will be held indoors at SFU Burnaby in the SUB Ballroom (located on the 5th floor of the SUB). Accessibility details to note include:

The fifth floor of the SUB is accessible via elevator and hosts accessible washrooms, including a single-stall all gender washroom.
We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. However, we can provide a copy of the facilitator’s script.
Sturdy, armless chairs will be available for those looking to sit during this event.
Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, or if you have any questions, please contact our Director of Engagement, Marie, at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact our Climate Equity Coordinator, Rebecca, at climate@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this event
GET YOUR TICKET NOW

Community Kitchen: For Migrant Justice, with Migrant Activists
2026-03-25 17:30 - 21:30 | SUB Community Kitchen – SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
Community Kitchen: For Migrant Justice, with Migrant Activists

FARMWORKER AWARENESS WEEK: A CONVERSATION ON MIGRANT WORKERS’ RIGHTS ACROSS TURTLE ISLAND

Date & Time
Wed, Mar 255:30 PM – 9:30 PM PDT

Location
SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 (SFU Burnaby)

Register now

ABOUT THE EVENT
Join us in celebrating and honouring Farmworker Awareness Week with migrant activists Evelyn Encalada Grez, Gabriel Allahdua, and Aaraón Díaz Mendiburo!
We’ll be cooking, eating, appreciating, and discussing staple foods in migrant workers’ diets throughout Turtle Island while raising awareness of farmworker rights and working conditions. This special Community Kitchen will unite migrant workers and the SFU community together in active resistance against the structural injustices faced by migrant workers and their families.
We’ll be making:

Traditional Mexican Mole with chicken (mushrooms for vegetarian substitute), served with rice pilau
Stew with green figs and ground provisions (Vegan), served with rice
Jelly with sour cream

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions and/or food allergies in the registration form ahead of the event.

AGENDA

Introductions and Housekeeping
Cooking and Activities
Eating and Discussion
Wrap-up and Clean-up

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to the kitchen, all are welcome! This event is first-come first-serve until we reach capacity, so we encourage you to register and arrive 10 minutes early. Thanks and see you there!✨

Land Acknowledgement
This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

Evelyn Encalada Grez (she/her)

Meet Evelyn
Evelyn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Labour Studies Program at SFU. She is the co-founder of Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW), a collective that has been at the forefront of the migrant farmworker movement in Canada for over 20 years. She is an award-winning scholar and organizer that specializes in transnational labour-migration, migrant justice, and community-engaged research.

Gabriel Allahdua (he/him)

Meet Gabriel
Gabriel is a former migrant farm worker from St. Lucia, an island in the Eastern Caribbean. For almost a decade, he has organized with the (J4MW) collective. He was an Activist in Residence (AIR) at the University of Guelph, the first person to hold that position, which brought activists and researchers together.
Gabriel is currently an Outreach Worker working with migrant workers across Ontario and Education and Mobilization Officer with the Association for the Rights of Household and Farm Workers (DTMF).

Aaraón Díaz Mendiburo (he/him)

Meet Aaraón
Aaraón is an academic and filmmaker that has followed migrant workers and their families for over a decade. His research deals with health, education, employment, social representation, and intercultural relations issues of agricultural migrants to Canada, their families, and both their communities of origin and destination. As an independent documentary filmmaker, he has directed and produced Migrant Mother (2020), Matices: “Temporary” Migration in Canada (2011), and Migrants: Those who come from within (2007). He is currently working on his fourth documentary about activism on cannabis destigmatization in North America.
Aaraón is also a professor in the anthropology bachelor’s program and in the master’s Mexico-USA program at the Center for Research on North America – UNAM / Researchers (UNAM). He has further taught in the master’s migration studies program at the Universidad Iberoamericana. He is a level-I member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers.

Event Accessibility

Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark Sustainability members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Sustainability Associate Members.
This event will be held indoors at the SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 of the Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Accessibility details include:

Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
Some appliances and counter areas of this room are not accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids. The dining/lounge area is accessible when using a wheelchair or other mobility aids.
We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide ASL interpretation at this time. We will be providing written recipe instructions.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety
Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement
By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.
Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.
If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Food justice Programs Coordinator at food@embarksustainability.org.

Register for this Event
get reminders & event details now
