Just Keep Dune It: An Interview with the Team Behind Dune or Do Nothing

In the midst of finals season, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Team Dune or Do Nothing, winner of the Carey Projects funding in 2022. The team, which is made up of Anna Krukowski, Kevin Wang, Cameron Miranda-Radbord, and Nino Jan Pol Dosdos, all current Munk Twos (Class of ’21). The team also works with the first non-Munk One to take part in a Carey Projects initiative, UofT second-year, Jana van Heeswyk! The team have spent the last few months building up their project for launch - “We’re looking forward to our kickstart in April to May.”

Started with the MUN105 intervention lab, the project aims to address Sustainable Development Goal 15, Life on Land, by focusing on protecting the Lake Ontario shoreline from degradation and erosion. After the MUN105 Dragon’s Den Pitch the team then applied for funding from The Carey Projects. When writing their funding application, the team found themselves stuck for a name. “When it came to it,” says Anna, “the name we jokingly used in MUN105, just kind of stuck.” And so, Dune or Do Nothing was born.

Over the past few months, the team has been developing their pilot project, the group has received feedback from City Hall; “For us, that was really exciting feedback from City Hall that our project is something that was very plausible, and worthwhile” says Anna. In October, the team, in cooperation with the City, volunteered and helped at a tree planting event at a Toronto Park.

“It was really exciting to see all these volunteers, people who care about the same thing we do, helping to protect natural habitats across the city.”

The Dune or Do Nothing Team is also pleased to announce their new on campus club:  PRUSA or rather, Parks and Restoration UofT Student Association. PRUSA is founded with the aim of increasing student engagement in habitat revitalization initiatives across the City of Toronto and to ensure project continuity for years to come. As they work towards hosting their first coastal protection event the team has “hopes to partner with other groups at UofT, and The City. Community involvement is really at our core and bringing awareness to coastal degradation” emphasized Kevin. The team is excited to relay more information about this planting event to the UofT community soon. 

If you are interested in keeping up with Dune or Do Nothing’s PRUSA, you can follow them on Instagram @parks_restoration_uoft or you can email parksandrestoration.uoft@gmail.com.

 In addition, linked below is a google form for those interested in joining the student association or participating in our upcoming planting sessions: https://forms.gle/jLyyiovwE5hBvGbY6