Karina Kachur, BSc, MSc

Karina Kachur encourages sustainability through her work with student volunteer programs, sharing of gardening knowledge, and collaboration with community partners. Kachur arrived at The University of Winnipeg in 2014 and has been involved in teaching and sharing sustainable growing practices with students and the community since 2016. Currently a biology instructor, Kachur coordinates the biology department’s annual plant giveaway project. 

The giveaway is a highly anticipated campus event that sees more than 2,500 fruiting and flowering plants grown, cared for, and given away every spring by biology student volunteers. Kachur recruits and teaches students about planting, watering, and propagating common garden and home plants. Involvement in the project provides students with the chance to build transferable skills, share knowledge with their community, and de-stress between classes.

In 2017, Kachur received a UWinnipeg Experiential Learning Network grant for her work with the plant giveaway project. Receiving this grant demonstrates the value of Kachur’s work, and her commitment to providing students with hands-on learning experiences and community engagement. Through the project, more than 1,500 people have learned about plants, gardening, and sustainable food production in Winnipeg due to Kachur’s efforts.  

Kachur is also actively involved in revitalizing the University’s Centennial Greenhouse. In collaboration with Natasha Taiarol (biology) and the Physical Plant department, Kachur is helping to turn this space into a multi-use area for teaching, experiential learning, and community engagement. Leading a committee of interested individuals, Kachur has coordinated a variety of research, community, and teaching activities that have brought life back into the greenhouse. One example involves working with Diversity Foods to explore hydroponics systems for growing herbs and fruits on campus year-round to provide fresh food for the University community in a sustainable way.

Recently, Kachur has involved herself with the Langside Learning Garden project (LLG). The LLG aims to create an accessible space to promote knowledge sharing, sustainability, and community engagement. Kachur is currently coordinating students to help with the initial seeding of plants for the LLG.

The University of Winnipeg is proud to present Karina Kachur with the 2019 Faculty and Staff Campus Sustainability Recognition Award.