SDG 14: Life Below Water

SDG 14

Life Below Water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

TRU researchers advance understanding of aquatic ecosystems and promote stewardship of water resources through science and education. TRU researchers within the Faculty of Science investigate how land use, invasive species, and environmental factors affect freshwater and marine organisms, advancing scientific understanding of aquatic ecosystem dynamics.

Learn more about SDG 14

Discover how TRU advanced this Sustainable Development Goal in 2024/25

Campus Operations

Water Management Plan

TRU’s Water Management Plan guides efforts to reduce campus water consumption through conservation measures such as low-flow fixtures, drought-tolerant landscaping and efficient irrigation systems. The plan establishes water reduction targets and supports continuous improvement in water use efficiency across campus operations.

Rainwater Management Guideline

TRU’s Rainwater Management Guideline requires new buildings and major renovations to incorporate rainwater management systems where feasible. The guideline promotes green infrastructure and low-impact development practices that reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality and support sustainable watershed management.

Community Partnerships and Outreach

Storm Drain Marking Program

As part of the Stream to Sea program, volunteers painted 40 bright yellow salmon on storm drains around campus. These icons serve as a reminder that what goes down the drain ends up in our streams, rivers, and ecosystems.

Journey of the Salmon - Where have all the Salmon gone?

Developed through a partnership between TRU Communication and Visual Arts students and the Scw'exmx Tribal Council, this animated film uses storytelling and visual media to explore salmon conservation and raise awareness of the cultural and ecological significance of salmon.

Salmonid Enhancement Program Community Workshop

Hosted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, Simpcw First Nation and the Adams River Salmon Society, this workshop at TRU provided hands-on training in salmon enhancement, hatchery operations, water quality monitoring and salmon conservation practices.

Research and Innovation

AI for Salmon Monitoring

TRU data science students are developing an AI-powered fish counting tool to support salmon monitoring in the Deadman Watershed. Working with the Skeetchestn Natural Resource Corporation and the Secwépemc Fisheries Commission, the project aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of salmon population monitoring and fisheries management.

The Value of Lakes Around the Secwépemc Territory

This open education resource by TRU professor Peter Tsigaris and graduate students applies a recognized valuation method to assess lakes in the Kamloops region. By integrating Indigenous perspectives and ecosystem service values, the book provides policymakers with a clear framework for evaluating natural assets, supporting equitable resource planning and informing negotiations aligned with UNDRIP Article 28.