This page is a work in progress. We hope it evolves with students and the campus so it can better serve future generations. Some links may require an @evergreen.edu login. (You can also email us for external access.) If you see opportunities or gaps, please let us know so we can help support everyone’s work! – ClimateAction@evergreen.edu
Campus Sustainability Projects
Over time the college has taken a number of steps to make the campus more sustainable; there are recently completed projects, some underway, and ideas for others as well. CCAS has also created a map that updates monthly with new projects and information around various aspects of campus sustainability and climate action (everything from land stewardship and energy production/conservation to addressing social impacts of climate change, such as reduced available housing). This is a proof of concept draft that’s migrating to ArcGIS StoryMaps, so email us to send updates or ask questions!
The Sustainability CO-LAB
The Collaboratory (or Co-Lab) is a collaborative space to co-design and connect to peers and resources that can help develop your project, social campaign, policy, or business concept.
Learning from similar models such as The Hive and WWU’s Design Clinic we utilize design thinking, and employ a sustainable/regenerative approach that incorporates humans, the natural environment, and alternative economic models. We believe that better systems are out there (and some are just waiting to be built)!
Three Key Pieces of the Co-Lab Include:
- The Idea Intake Form – A place to write-out and articulate your ideas so a
volunteer can read about them and offer feedback as well suggestions for additional resources and contacts. (Start Here!)
- Drop-in Consultations – Come during open hours (in-person or virtual) to expand upon your idea and work 1:1 or with a work-group to continue developing and refining your concept. We can help by brainstorming ideas, locating funding opportunities, and offering referrals to local experts!
- Community Workshops – Gather with help and plot out your project by considering its elements and going through five of the Design-Thinking Phases. Then exit with the start of a one page Mini Project Management Plan and your next steps!
There will be more over time as we learn from others and ourselves. So check back or email to connect further!
Additional Project Resources
Thought Toolkits for Project Planning
- Design-Thinking Phases: This concept has been getting used in more industries and communities over the years. The video is by no means perfect, but serves as an introduction to the idea.
- The Six Regenerative Design Principles/Perspectives: A new perspective on the traditional “sustainable design” concept that leans towards improving systems, not just building on them.
- “Who should I talk to?”: Ask this magic question at various project points (the idea stage, trouble-shooting, etc.). Some handy tools include: Evergreen’s Org Chart to better find contacts, with a CCAS Searchable Directory coming soon). But also go to Evergreen events to network and ask around! It can be slow, but powerful once you connect to the right people 🙂
Past Greeners Project Database Archive
See archived projects from past Greeners (students, faculty, and staff) to learn from their lessons and successes: 🛠️ Greener & CCAS Project Database (requires an @evergreen.edu account to view).
Have a past project you want others to know about? Want to ensure your legacy lives on after you go beyond Evergreen? Then Submit a Past Project to the Greener Projects Archive! We’ll also work with the Evergreen Library Archives to ensure major works get properly filed in the larger system.
The Greener Sustainability Network – Org Chart
If you have an Evergreen account and you’d like to see an Organizational Chart of the groups on campus working in or around climate action and education, CCAS has a living version linked here: Evergreen Sustainablity Community Mindmap