SDG #15: Life on Land
SDG #15 aims to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
The Global Philadelphia Association revealed a new mural at Chestnut Hill College Campus, sponsored by TD Bank and The Sisters of Saint Joseph on October 28th, 2024.
Who was involved :
Artist: Nile Livingston
Mural Location: Chestnut Hill College Campus, at the corner of Germantown and Northwestern Avenues
Sponsors: TD Bank and Sisters of Saint Joseph
Grantee: Friends of the Wissahickon
A message from the Nile Livingston :
About Friends of the Wissahickon :
Friends of the Wissahickon, official park partner of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and the Philadelphia Water Department, conserves and improves the 2000-acre Wissahickon Valley Park. FOW’s dedicated community of members and volunteers have supported the wild beauty of the park since 1924.
Staff and volunteers work with expert contractors and environmental scientists to mitigate stormwater runoff into the watershed, reduce erosion, and address the impacts on the native habitat posed by climate change. Volunteer hours and membership dollars support our work to sustain this special urban oasis.
Meet the Artist
Nile Livingston is a public-facing artist deeply connected to Black and Brown communities, focusing on creating accessible art that reflects the people and places she engages with. Influenced by her upbringing as a third-generation Philadelphian, her work emphasizes extensive community involvement and honors local histories. Through projects like murals and portraits, Nile explores the social dynamics and cultural nuances of marginalized communities, ensuring that her art resonates with and respects those it represents.
As the founder of Creative Repute, LLC, she collaborates with a diverse team to produce impactful public art and digital experiences, with a strong commitment to ethical and inclusive practices. Her work has garnered recognition from various institutions, and she continues to explore new mediums, including virtual art, to connect with a broader audience.
Meet Our Sponsors
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia were founded in 1650 in LePuy, France. They came to the United States in 1836, arriving in St. Louis, Missouri. They settled in Philadelphia in 1847 and quickly established their place in the education of young women. They immediately founded a secondary school academy for girls and then Chestnut Hill College in 1924. Settled on the diverse, native soil along the banks of the Wissahickon, the Sisters are committed to a Land Ethic that guides their relationship with Earth compelling them to strive to preserve, protect, and restore the land and the species that live there.
TD Bank 
The Toronto-Dominion Bank & its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (TD). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches & serves approximately 22 million customers in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe. Over 85,000 TD employees represent the strongest team in banking.
About SDG #15
Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. It addresses critical issues such as deforestation, desertification, and biodiversity loss, all of which are essential for maintaining the planet's ecological balance and ensuring the well-being of future generations.
Key objectives of SDG 15 include:
- Halting deforestation and restoring degraded forests.
- Combatting desertification and reversing land degradation.
- Conserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species.
- Promoting sustainable land use practices that benefit both people and nature.