Richmond Hill, 26 April 2025 - The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) proudly participated in the City of Richmond Hill’s Earth Day celebration, Legacy of the Land: An Earth Day Experience, held at the historic David Dunlap Observatory. The event brought together community members, local organizations, and municipal leaders to commemorate the restoration of Richmond Hill’s trail system and renew commitments to environmental protection and sustainability. This event also marked one year since UNU-INWEH established its presence in Richmond Hill—strengthening local partnerships and advancing global impact through place-based engagement.
The David Dunlap Observatory is home to the largest optical telescope in Canada and the second-largest telescope of its kind in the world—an inspiring backdrop for a day dedicated to environmental learning and scientific discovery.
This Earth Day held special significance for UNU-INWEH, coinciding with the anniversary of the official welcome ceremony on 26 April 2024, when the United Nations flag was raised outside Richmond Hill City Hall, marking the beginning of UNU-INWEH’s new chapter in Canada.
UNU-INWEH hosted an interactive outreach booth, inviting visitors of all ages to explore its cutting-edge research on water security, climate change, biodiversity, and the role of artificial intelligence in advancing sustainability. Activities included a trivia board and a "How Well Do You Know the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?" quiz, designed to spark curiosity and inclusive dialogue. Other community booths at the event included the Richmond Hill Bird Team, Richmond Hill Sustainability Team, Richmond Hill Public Library, and local conservation groups, showcasing the city’s vibrant environmental community.
The vibrant outdoor setting—surrounded by newly revitalized trails—offered an ideal space to connect global goals with local action. The event also reflected UNU-INWEH’s growing relationship with the Richmond Hill community and its role as a bridge between international research and place-based sustainability engagement. As demonstrated during the recent event co-hosted by UNU-INWEH and Mayor David West on Sustainability in Our City.
Celebrating One Year in Richmond Hill
Since April 2024, UNU-INWEH has worked to deepen its partnerships across Canada and around the world, while contributing to the City of Richmond Hill’s leadership in sustainability and innovation. As Canada’s only United Nations University, UNU-INWEH is proud to call Richmond Hill home—a location that shares its values of inclusion, environmental stewardship, and forward-thinking urban development. UNU-INWEH and City of Richmond Hill further strengthened this partnership though a formal agreement on Sustainability Transition in November 2024.
Looking Ahead
UNU-INWEH is committed to expanding its role as a trusted research partner and convener of inclusive, science-based dialogue. Future collaborations with Richmond Hill may include educational programming, youth engagement, climate resilience initiatives, and participation in city-wide environmental planning efforts.
Earth Day 2025 was both a celebration and a reflection of shared values between the United Nations University and the City of Richmond Hill. It highlighted the importance of local action in the context of global environmental goals and reaffirmed UNU-INWEH’s commitment to knowledge-sharing, partnership, and sustainability. We look forward to many more years of working together for a healthier, more resilient planet.
Media Contact:
Sogol Jafarzadeh
UN and Government Relations Coordinator, UNU-INWEH
sogol.jafarzadeh@unu.edu
