Welcome – from the Center! 

This spring and summer, the Climate Center was buzzing with activity! From hosting events, collaborating with partners, to sparking conversations about climate action, justice, and creativity. From games and roundtables to symposiums and community gatherings, our focus has been on connection: connecting people to ideas, to one another, and to practical ways we can work toward a more sustainable future. 

🌱 Event Highlights 🌱

Climate Games Day – April 9 

In partnership with Evergreen’s International Study Abroad program, we hosted a lighthearted afternoon of snacks, games, and big ideas. Participants tackled resource-trading games and strategic challenges that sparked creative solutions to climate adversity. 

Earth Week – April 22–24 

Three days of celebrations, learning, and action: 

• Earth (Field) Day – April 22 An outdoor celebration of our local environment, student projects, and ways to engage in campus sustainability. 

• Rachel Carson Forum – April 24 Hosted by MESA, this year’s Forum honored the 40th anniversary of the Master of Environmental Studies (MES) program. Guest speakers Dr. Rob Knapp, Dr. Francisco Santiago-Avila, and Dr. Adam Romero explored themes of sustainable design, transforming our relationship to wildlife, and reimagining U.S. agriculture. 

• Farmworkers Social Justice Day – April 23 Honoring José Gómez, we highlighted the fight for farmworker justice, food sovereignty, and solidarity with those who grow our food. 

Equity Symposium – Climate Lecture Series Special 

Faculty member Sam Saltiel led an interactive workshop exploring Solarpunk and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) as tools for creativity, climate action, and personal empowerment. Participants reflected on their strengths and imagined practical steps toward a greener future. 

Sustainability Roundtable – May 12 

A collaborative design charrette on reimagining Evergreen’s communal bike shop. Together, we discussed why this space is vital for sustainability, accessibility, and student health—and what’s needed to bring “Bike Shop 2.0” to life. 

Climate & Sustainability Symposium – May 17 

Co-hosted with Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT), this convention brought together climate and sustainability representatives from across Thurston County. The day was filled with workshops, networking, and collaborative visioning for regional action. 

Climate Lecture Series: Empowering the Energy Workforce 

Nikki Luke explored how energy governance impacts workers and communities, with a focus on justice in the U.S. South. She highlighted how race, gender, class, and ability intersect with energy policy—and where opportunities for change lie. 

🌞 Summer Highlights 🌞

Critical Edge Alliance Conference 

This June, Evergreen hosted the international Critical Edge Alliance conference, bringing together educators and innovators from around the globe. CCAS presented on what teams and institutions can do in the face of climate change and federal opposition—sharing practical strategies for resilience, collaboration, and action. 

Building Networks & Partnerships 

• Thurston Eco Net + Cascadia NOW! – We connected our local community of environmental educators and outreach staff with our Cascadia NOW! partners, establishing a fiscal sponsorship to support ongoing collaboration. 

• Olympia Green Drinks – We continued co-hosting monthly gatherings for people in green careers and interests to meet, share resources, and strengthen our local sustainability community. 

• WOHESC Statewide Calls – We kept convening sustainability leads from Washington colleges and universities to exchange tips, share projects, and learn from one another’s successes. 

Grants & Student Fellowships 

We secured a $20,000 grant to fund MES Fellowship students working on Evergreen’s new Sustainability Action Plan 2.0 and ecological restoration projects across campus. 

Summer Institute: Teaching Social Action 

In partnership with the Washington Learning and Teaching Center, we hosted a two-day Summer Institute focused on Teaching Social Action—exploring pedagogy. And the theme of Solarpunk with sustainable planning for classroom praxis. Faculty and staff engaged in hands-on design sessions and shared approaches to building climate literacy and agency in their students. 

Looking Ahead 

We’ll wrap up the summer at the Burien Solarpunk Festival, connecting with Indigenous Futurists partners and other visionaries shaping regenerative futures. 

This summer, our work has been about momentum—releasing a wave of new projects, resources, and case studies for classes, community partners, and anyone ready to act for a sustainable future. 

📚 Projects & Partnerships 

• MES Fellows & Faculty Collaborations – Our fellows continued work on climate planning, ecological restoration, and community engagement projects. 

• Community Engagement – We tabled at the Tumwater Elevate Fair, showcasing climate-and-art intersections and our new trivia game Fact or (Science) Fiction, highlighting BIPOC and femmes in STEM. 

🎥 In Case You Missed It 

• Videos, blog posts, and zines from our events will be shared on our website and social media this fall—stay tuned! 

📅 Upcoming 

Mark your calendars for fall events, including the continuation of our Climate Lecture Series and sustainability skill-building workshops. 

Get Involved

Volunteer, partner with us, or join an event. Follow us to stay updated: 

• Instagram: @EvergreenCCAS 

• Facebook: EvergreenCCAS 

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