Boğaziçi University organises and supports activities that promote the conservation and sustainable use of land, including forests and wildlife areas. The University carries out various activities to raise awareness and protect biodiversity.

Events Promoting Sustainable Land Use Beyond Campus

Raising Academic and Public Awareness of Desertification, Forest Fires and Terrestrial Ecosystem Conservation: Yeşilhat Academy Meetings

The “Yeşilhat Academy Meetings” panel, organised through collaboration between Boğaziçi University and Anadolu Agency’s (AA) Yeşilhat, was held at Boğaziçi University’s Demir Demirgil Hall on 27 April 2026. Entitled “Agriculture in the Face of the Climate Crisis: Risks, Adaptation and Solutions”, the event featured Professor Levent Kurnaz, Director of Boğaziçi University’s Center for Climate Change and Policy Studies, and the Centre’s Executive Board members Professor Murat Türkeş and Professor Cem Avcı. Academics and students examined the effects of climate change on agriculture, water resources and terrestrial systems, as well as adaptation approaches to addressing the associated risks.

The panel emphasised that prolonged droughts, heatwaves, irregular precipitation and extreme weather events are increasing in frequency, duration and intensity as a result of climate change. It highlighted how meteorological drought can rapidly develop into agricultural and hydrological drought, while the expansion of arid climatic zones can intensify the risks of desertification and land degradation in parts of Türkiye. Participants also discussed the growing pressures of changing temperature and precipitation patterns on agricultural production, water resources and food security, as well as their implications for forest fires and biodiversity.

By strengthening understanding of the relationship between climate change and the health of terrestrial ecosystems, the event highlighted the importance of combating drought and desertification, developing climate-resilient land and agricultural practices, and protecting biodiversity. The panel therefore represents a complementary contribution to knowledge exchange and awareness concerning the protection of terrestrial ecosystems, the prevention of land degradation and the reduction of biodiversity loss.

The full news article is available here.

Events Promoting the Sustainable Use of Campus Land

Policies have been developed to protect vegetation and natural life on the campuses of our university. In this context, efforts are being made to protect the natural structure on the campus, especially the monumental trees and endemic plants on the South Campus. In particular, the centuries-old pine trees of the South Campus have been taken under protection and the nature conservation efforts in this area have been widely publicised.

In addition, the ‘Endemic Species Protection, Planting and Afforestation’ project was initiated at Sarıtepe Campus in cooperation with TEMA Foundation. Within the scope of this project, the first saplings were planted on university campuses and important steps were taken to protect natural ecosystems. This project at Sarıtepe Campus is an indication of the active role of the university and TEMA Foundation in nature conservation efforts.

Boğaziçi University Environment Club also regularly organises activities to raise environmental awareness. The club organises events on special days such as World Water Day and World Environment Day to raise awareness on recycling, water conservation and environmental pollution, and organises informative workshops and clean-up campaigns for university members and local communities.

Related Links:

• Boğaziçi University Flora and Fauna
• Centenary Pines of Boğaziçi University South Campus Under Protection
• Nature School for Children from Boğaziçi University and TEMA Foundation for a Sustainable Campus

2024 Sustainability Report SDG-15 (Related Section)

Activities Related to Sustainable Use of Land

Boğaziçi University organizes and supports events that aim to promote the conservation and sustainable use of land, including forests and wild lands. These events aim to protect biodiversity and raise awareness in local and national communities. The activities carried out in this context are described below.

Campus Conservation Activities

Policies have been developed for the protection of vegetation and natural life on the campuses of our university. In all campuses, efforts are made to protect the natural structure of the campus, especially trees and endemic plants. In this context, the centuries-old pine trees of the South Campus were taken under protection and the nature conservation efforts in this area were widely publicized.

Click here to read the related news:

https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/haber/guney-kampusun-asirlik-camlari-koruma-altinda

Conservation of Endemic Species

In addition, the "Endemic Species Protection, Planting and Afforestation Project ” was initiated at Sarıtepe Campus in cooperation with TEMA Foundation. Within the scope of this project, the first saplings were planted on university campuses and important steps were taken to protect natural ecosystems. This project at Sarıtepe Campus is an indication of the active role of the university and TEMA Foundation in nature conservation efforts.

Click here to read the related news:

https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/haber/surdurulebilir-kampus-icin-bogazici-universitesi-ve-tema-vakfindan-cocuklara-doga-okulu

Environmental Awareness Activities

Boğaziçi University Environment Club organizes events on special occasions such as World Water Day and World Environment Day to draw attention to issues such as recycling, water conservation and environmental pollution. These events are organized in different formats such as workshops, clean-up campaigns and public seminars and target both university members and local communities.

Click here to see the activities of the Environment Club:

https://bucek.bogazici.edu.tr/tr