Western Sydney University’s ‘Integrating Regenerative Living Labs in Science Curriculum’ initiative embeds the Hawkesbury campus’s unique environmental and agricultural assets directly into science teaching and learning. The program uses regenerative agriculture, water recycling, biodiversity stewardship, emerging rewilding initiatives and digital tools such as GIS, drones and AI as practical learning environments for students.

Led through the School of Science in collaboration with the Western Environmental Sustainability team and Hawkesbury Farm, the initiative has shifted living lab activity from isolated subject-based use to a more strategic, coordinated curriculum model. Students engage with real-world land management, climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, animal welfare, water management and agroecology challenges through undergraduate subjects, Work Integrated Learning, postgraduate research and practical farm activities.

By integrating campus operations, curriculum, data stewardship and industry-relevant skills development, the initiative supports job-ready graduates equipped to respond to climate change, nature risk and evolving land management challenges in Western Sydney and beyond.