Atatürk University (Atauni) has taken a proactive institutional role in organising, supporting and participating in a variety of events that promote the conservation and sustainable utilisation of land—particularly forest and wildland ecosystems—demonstrating strong alignment with SDG 15 (Life on Land) and the requirements of indicator 15.2.1.
1. Institutional commitment & event organisation
ATU has institutionalised its commitment to environmental protection and land-ecosystem conservation through its Research and Application Centre for Biodiversity (Biyolojik Çeşitlilik Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi, ABBM). The ABBM explicitly states its mission on Species and Ecosystem Conservation (“Tür ve Ekosistem Koruma”) on the university website. abbm.atauni.edu.trThis body has organised workshops such as the “Workshop on Conservation of Biodiversity” held on 23 November 2022 under Atauni’s auspices. atauni.edu.tr
In this way, ATU acts as a body (via its centre) to organise events aimed at land- and ecosystem-conservation.
2. Forest-and wildland-specific initiatives
Beyond general biodiversity events, Atauni evidences specific forest-/wild-land efforts. For example, the “Gaza Memorial Forest” project held at the Atauni campus in May 2025 established a dedicated forest-planting initiative (saplings) in the context of environmental and social solidarity. atauni.edu.tr
Moreover, the Faculty of Forestry (within Atauni) is present via the “Ormancılık” department located at the Oltu Vocational School of Higher Education, which reflects Atauni’s academic infrastructure for forestry and associated land-ecosystem programmes. Atatürk Üniversitesi
Together these demonstrate Atauni organising and supporting forest-related events and planting initiatives.
3. Campus-wide awareness-raising events
ATU has consistently organised campus-wide events on environmental awareness that link to land/forest conservation. For example, on 5 June 2023 (World Environment Day) Atauni held a series of events including a gathering at the Rectorate foyer and other campus-activities. atauni.edu.tr In June 2024, the fourth awareness day event took place under Atauni’s hosting. atauni.edu.tr These events engage students, staff and public stakeholders, raising awareness of land, forest and wildland ecosystems and sustainable utilisation.
4. Integration with research, academic units and outreach
Atauni leverages its academic units—especially the Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Forestry, and ABBM—to integrate event-based outreach with research and teaching on sustainable land use, forestry, ecosystem conservation and wildland management. For example, the Faculty of Agriculture hosts “Topluma Katkı” (Community Contribution) and “Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları” (Sustainable Development Goals) sections on its web-site, indicating institutional alignment of teaching, research and outreach. Atatürk Üniversitesi
By linking event organisation with academic disciplines relevant to land and forests, Atauni demonstrates a holistic, institution-wide support for conservation events.
5. Evidence of stakeholder participation & external engagement
The “Gaza Memorial Forest” event featured high-level participation including the Rector Prof Dr Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, vice rectors and students, as well as external stakeholders such as the Chief Public Prosecutor of Erzurum. atauni.edu.tr This suggests that events are not isolated internal affairs, but invite broader stakeholder participation, increasing the impact of land/forest conservation initiatives.
6. Continuous and recurrent event scheduling
Atauni has shown repeated events (annual or otherwise) such as the World Environment Awareness Days (2023, 2024) and the biodiversity workshop (2022). This recurrence supports the conclusion that Atauni not only supports but organises on-going events, thus evidencing sustained institutional activity.
