What is "Life on Land"?
Yeditepe University implements a comprehensive environmental stewardship framework that protects terrestrial ecosystems, supports biodiversity conservation, and promotes sustainable land management both on campus and within the wider community. The university’s approach is guided primarily by the Arboretum Protocol, developed in cooperation with the General Directorate of Forestry, which formalizes the protection, monitoring and sustainable management of green areas, native vegetation, and forest ecosystems surrounding the campus. This protocol defines roles, conservation rules, and ecological monitoring procedures, ensuring long-term protection of plant and animal life.
Sustainable sourcing practices and responsible land use are strengthened through the Procurement and Supplier Evaluation Procedure, which requires environmental and sustainability criteria in all food and material purchases. Landscape planning prioritizes soil preservation, drought-tolerant native species, reduced water consumption, and the prevention of invasive species. Routine ecological monitoring by the Environmental and Landscape Directorate ensures that campus biodiversity is observed, protected, and integrated into all new construction projects—such as the LEED v4 Gold–designed Yeditepe Technopark building, which incorporates green spaces, rainwater use, and sustainable transportation features.
The university also works actively to maintain and expand healthy ecosystems through community-oriented initiatives. The Directive on Stray Animals on Campus regulates the care, feeding, medical support, and welfare of animals living on university grounds, engaging students and volunteers in animal protection and ecosystem awareness. Educational outreach includes ecological seminars, biodiversity workshops, and field activities, as well as nationwide initiatives such as the Online Agriculture Academy, which provides accessible training on sustainable agriculture, soil health and conservation.
Collaborations with local authorities strengthen Yeditepe’s contribution to environmental protection beyond campus borders. Joint projects with Kadıköy Municipality, Büyükçekmece Municipality, and other partners support reforestation efforts, sustainable tourism practices, and community-based conservation programmes. Through these partnerships, as well as student-led campaigns and forest clean-up events, the university promotes the sustainable management of shared urban and natural ecosystems.
Water protection is supported by clear standards for wastewater treatment, quality monitoring, rainwater collection systems, and the reuse of treated water for irrigation. Waste-reduction programmes—particularly the Zero Waste Management System and the Program to Reduce the Use of Paper and Plastic—further reinforce the University’s commitment to reducing environmental pollution and safeguarding terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Hazardous waste is managed through a strict, regulation-compliant procedure ensuring safe collection, storage, tracking, and disposal.
Overall, Yeditepe University integrates biodiversity protection, sustainable land use, ecological education, and community collaboration into its institutional operations and campus culture. These coordinated policies, monitoring systems, and outreach programmes demonstrate the University’s long-term commitment to SDG 15 and to preserving natural ecosystems for future generations.
