The Center for Climate Action and Sustainability

Evergreen made a memorable impact at this year’s Legislative Campus Game Night, where faculty, students, and staff shared how game design and climate education intersect across our curriculum.

This year, Evergreen expanded from one table to two, allowing us to highlight a wider range of student projects, hands-on climate action games, published titles used in K–12 classrooms, and Evergreen-produced educational materials. Our team engaged directly with Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, legislative staff, community partners, and professionals across Washington’s vibrant tabletop game industry. 

Washington is considered a global center for game design, and the event brought together creators – from large studios (such as Wizards of the Coast) to indie developers and local alumni, including Ross Cowman, business owner of Deernicorn and president of the TGA. The night sparked meaningful conversations about experiential learning, sustainability, and the ways Evergreen students are using creativity to tackle complex environmental challenges. 

Attendees shared that Evergreen stood out as an innovative, community-engaged institution, offering a fresh and exciting glimpse into what our students and faculty are creating! 

Thank you to Jason Biehner from Marketing & Communications for the amazing photos! It was really a night of Evergreen collaborations.

If you want to read more about the very first Legislative Gaming Night Evergreen got to attend, you can read more about it at “Gaming for Good: Using TTRPGs to Inspire Climate Action“. 

Dear Evergreen Community,

We wanted to provide an early update about some important transitions underway for the Center for Climate Action and Sustainability. A more formal in-depth announcement will be coming soon, but we felt it was important to share this initial overview now so our campus partners, students, and community collaborators have time to understand and prepare for the changes ahead.

Transition to “The Climate Center” 

Beginning this winter and continuing through spring quarter (until June), we will be operating in a transitional mode as the current Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS) transitions into The Climate Center.

This shift reflects our desire to simplify our identity, clarify our mission, and take stock of what is working well and what needs to be strengthened. During this transition stage, we will be conducting program evaluations, refining our core services, and preparing for a “2.0” launch of sustainability at Evergreen beginning after June.

A Hybrid Model: Facilities + Academics 

The biggest change will be our funding model. The Climate Center will become a hybrid unit combining elements of the former Office of Sustainability (under Facilities/Operations) with the current academic- and community-facing programs of CCAS.

This hybrid structure will allow us to:

• Continue offering the climate literacy programming, workshops, and classroom visits our students and faculty rely on.
• Increase campus-wide sustainability support through Facilities & Operations.
• Help develop Evergreen’s next generation of sustainability planning through data-informed and community-informed processes.

Half of our work will directly support the campus’s long-term sustainability operations and infrastructure, while the other half will maintain our academic engagement, outreach, and public service programming. 

Programming Changes & Continuity 

Most of our public-facing programming will continue with only modest adjustments to our capacity. For example:

• Our Climate Lecture Series will transition from ~six guest lectures per year to three larger, more ambitious guest lectures by visitors supplemented with public campus lectures by Evergreen faculty.
• We are planning a Summer Institute where faculty can help co-select the year’s upcoming guest speakers and collaborate on grant proposals to fund them.
• Workshops, classroom talks, and community presentations in Evergreen classrooms and off campus will continue (and in some cases increase).
• Our Sustainability Idea Lab consulting program will grow into a more structured, recognizable resource for supporting student and community nonprofit sustainability projects.

Sustainability Action Plan & Campus Initiatives 

A major emphasis of Sustainability at Evergreen 2.0 will be helping the institution move toward a renewed and integrated sustainability vision. This includes:

• Working with Facilities and campus leadership to incorporate a modernized Sustainability Action Plan including student well-being and health into the Master Infrastructure Plan (formerly the Climate Action Plan). Supporting renewable energy expansion on campus through projects such as the Thunderdome solar array and related efforts aimed at reducing Evergreen’s long-term energy costs.
• Assisting in evaluating and updating approaches with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to ensure we are aligned with current state and regional sustainability best practices.
• Focusing on campus health, well-being, ecosystem resilience, and climate adaptation.

Leadership Transitions 

The current Director of CCAS will be transitioning into full-time teaching in the MES Program. During this transition:

• The Assistant Director will assume many of the responsibilities previously associated with both the former Director of Sustainability and the CCAS Director.
• The role will also have a new title: Assistant Director for Campus Sustainability reporting to the Dean of Native Programs and Experiential Learning.

This position will continue to maintain community partnerships and public-facing workshops, while increasingly helping campus units design and implement sustainable operational practices.

Continued Student Support & Advisory Roles 

We will maintain our advisory and liaison roles with several campus groups and committees, including the Clean Energy Committee (CEC), the Campus Sustainability Council, Space-Land Use Group (SLUG), and various academic pathways. We will also continue facilitating student-led sustainability projects, supporting internships, and collaborating with off-campus partners across the South Sound region—focusing on youth education, community climate programming, and K–12 curricular development.

Feedback & Participation 

As part of our transition, we are gathering feedback from students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community collaborators who have worked with us. We would greatly appreciate hearing from you about:

• What has been working well
• What you’d like to see continued
• What programs should expand in this 2.0 version of the Climate Center or Sustainability at Evergreen, or what new directions we might consider.
• Any other ideas for improving the relaunched unit planned for AY 2026–2027 (including other possible names)

You can reach us at climateaction@evergreen.edu with questions, reflections, or suggestions. We will also be circulating a short feedback form soon to help us gather input systematically.

Looking Ahead

The team has many projects and upcoming events in progress, from continued expansion of regional partnerships and increased faculty collaboration initiatives to ongoing project support for students and community organizations. While some elements of the center will pause for evaluation this spring and summer, our core mission remains unchanged:

To support climate literacy, sustainability leadership, and regenerative practices across Evergreen and in the wider community.

We are excited about the opportunities this transition provides and deeply grateful to our community and campus partners. We look forward to building a stronger, more clearly focused, and more sustainable Climate Center together.

With appreciation,
The Climate Center at The Evergreen State College

A Year in Focus

The Evergreen State College 

2024-25 

Message from the Director 

The Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS) at The Evergreen State College is proud to celebrate its fourth year! This report provides an overview of our achievements throughout the 2024-2025 fiscal year, highlighting significant events, project and grant updates, contributions to academics and curriculum, and general impacts on Evergreen and the broader community.  

The year was full of ups and downs, challenges and successes. Both nationally and in Washington State, the challenges of budget cuts and political divisiveness have greatly impacted climate and education work. Students at Evergreen were active in expressing concern about actions of the new national government, Israel’s war in Gaza, political instability in Europe and the United States, and the ongoing climate catastrophe, marked notably (in the US) by the Eaton Fire that ripped through the City of Altadena and 14,000+ acres of Los Angeles county, and by the devastating floods brought by Hurricane Helene to the western Appalachian region of North Carolina.  CCAS is not immune to these political-ecological challenges. We were surprised and disappointed by the sudden cancellation of the Tribal Stewards Program grant we’d been awarded through NOAA’s Climate Ready Workforce initiative.  We also felt the pressure of climate-related political changes that have raised students’ climate anxieties and fear of political repression.  

Yet, on the flipside, these political-economic conditions have sparked the intersectional climate movement, a movement that has centered attention on creating positive social change for everyone. It is in this context that the work of higher education institutions has never been more important – educating and empowering the next generation of environmental leaders, informed citizens, and workers who will be facing these challenges head on. CCAS is here to embrace this challenge and help build a brighter and more just world.  

I wanted to share a few highlights from the past year to demonstrate our determination and success.  

We have expanded our team – welcome MES Fellows! Over the past year, we have taken on some portions of the work of Evergreen’s Office of Sustainability (which has been in hibernation since May 2024).  This change has brought us funding to support MES Sustainability Fellows – current MES students who help work on climate and sustainability projects. This extra capacity has been a wonderful addition to CCAS, and we are so excited that Enija, Ian, Emma, and Gwendolyn will be able to continue working with us into the next academic year! Thanks also to alumni MES fellows Emma Wright and Amanda Rueda.  

We hosted impactful events and workshops that highlighted CCAS to new communities!  This year we helped organize several events including the Jose Gomez Farmworker Justice Day, the Rachel Carson Forum with the Master of Environmental Studies Student Association (MESA), and the Climate and Sustainability Symposium with the Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT). These events brought together students, faculty, community members, and non-profit organizations to focus on important local and regional climate and sustainability issues. Additionally, CCAS staff presented and organized a number of events including a Solarpunk and game design workshop at the Equity Symposium (with faculty member Sam Saltiel), the Coyote & Crow Longhouse Game Night (with the Native Pathways Program and the Indigenous Futurists Society), and a hugely successful Climate 101 and Solarpunk Futures workshop at the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility in partnership with the Sustainability and Prisons Project (SPP). 

In addition, our Climate Lecture Series featured several speakers including climate change professionals in Thurston County, Indigenous climate activists Jacob Johns and Jhajayra Machoa Mendúa, just transition advocate and scholar Dr. Mijin Cha, and green jobs expert Dr. Nikki Luke. All of these events brought important climate discussions to Evergreen, helping students learn about important climate issues locally and internationally.  

We continued to advance sustainability projects on campus and beyond.  In summer 2024, we saw the installation of the largest solar array ever on campus – a project funded by a $260,000 grant from the Clean Energy Committee at Evergreen, and developed in collaboration with Olympia Community Solar, MAD Energy, Campus Facilities Staff, and the students of Evergreen’s Clean Energy Committee. This project is expected to save produce an average of 99.3 MWh of electricity, saving the college approximately $10,000 a year on its utility bills. Faculty and students can now follow and use real-time data from this array in their programs. (Learn more about the solar project).  

Moving Forward! CCAS has started to work on a strategic plan that will provide us a pathway for expanding our work as a public service center dedicated to climate action and sustainability.  In the coming years, we will continue to develop our role as a hub for climate action and education. This includes building on our partnerships with local environmental networks such as Thurston Eco-Net, with the Washington Higher Education Sustainability Coalition, and with governmental bodies such as the Clean Energy Technology Workforce Advisory Committee, local and Tribal governments, the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), and non-profit organizations including the Thurston Climate Action Team, the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team, Mason County Climate Justice, and many others. As the generous gifts that helped establish the Center reach their term, we are working hard on seeking new funding through grants and donations to support our work. 

It was a busy and exciting year! CCAS has become a regular part of the Evergreen community, and we are excited about expanding our reach.  

Mission and Vision 

Mission Statement 

The Climate Center at Evergreen empowers individuals and communities to take bold, actionable steps toward a just, sustainable, and climate-resilient future.  

Through education, research, and civic engagement, we foster interdisciplinary collaboration, support place-based solutions, and equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to lead transformative climate action. By serving as a hub for learning, creativity, and advocacy, we connect Evergreen to the South Puget Sound region and beyond, ensuring that sustainability efforts are both locally grounded and globally relevant.  

We work to:  

1. Create opportunities for climate change education and professional training 

1. Produce and sponsor research on climate and sustainability and facilitate practical opportunities to work on these issues for students and faculty 

1. Build partnerships through climate action 

Vision Statement  

We envision a just, equitable, climate-stable world. Evergreen is a leading climate institution and model of sustainability, equity, and resilience that inspires positive change.  

Core Values 

1. Collaboration and Connection: We break down silos and foster partnerships across disciplines, sectors, communities, and cultures.  

1. Equity and Justice: We prioritize equity, decolonization, and accessibility in all aspects of climate action, ensuring that historically marginalized voices are centered in decision-making.  

1. Resilience and Regeneration: We focus on sustainable practices that build lasting, positive impacts for people and the planet.  

1. Imagination and Creativity: We value emotional intelligence, curiosity, creative solutions, social imagination, and lifelong learning as the foundation and continuous drivers for meaningful climate action.  

Year 4 Highlights 

Throughout the year, our programs included multifaceted structures that addressed climate action, social justice, and sustainability. We used storytelling to connect with our community through a series of film screenings, fostering spaces for cultural enjoyment and sparking discussions on environmentalism, Indigenous rights, and collaborative leadership. Our quarterly Sustainability Roundtables and campus-wide events brought together diverse members of the Evergreen community to understand pressing issues, strategize about implementing various programs, and ensure better long-term maintenance of campus sustainability initiatives. Notably, the Climate & Equity Symposiums and our Summer Institute equipped faculty and staff with the tools to integrate climate action, social justice, and sustainability into their classrooms, ensuring that our efforts extend far beyond individual events and into the core of our educational mission. 

Sustainability Roundtables 

Fall – November 4th, 2024  

This roundtable reviewed a network map of campus sustainability groups, identifying overlapping missions and opportunities for collaboration. A new Strategic Action Plan for Campus Sustainability was introduced, which aims to replace the 2009 Climate Action Plan. (That was intended to guide campus activities through 2020, but doesn’t seem to have had much effect on them.) The discussion also addressed the lack of a centralized Office of Sustainability, proposing a new model for governance, where representatives from key areas like Student Activities and Facilities would meet quarterly to streamline communication. The group also shared project resources, discussed a deadline for feedback on the new campus-wide strategic plan, and covered future events. 

Winter – February 26th, 2024 

“Imagining a Sustainable Evergreen” brought together students, faculty, and local partners to discuss ongoing campus sustainability efforts. The event highlighted three new student-led groups focused on food justice on campus. These groups are working to improve transparency in campus food systems, launch a sustainability campaign, and create new community garden spaces. The seminar also served as a moment to reflect the potential consequences of the recent dissolution of the Sustainability Office. Despite this setback, the event showcased a range of new green initiatives and collaborative actions, from campus pollinator projects to energy infrastructure improvements.  

Spring – May 12th, 2024 

The Spring event focused on a collaborative design charrette to reimagine and revive Evergreen’s communal bike shop, exploring the ways in which the club and bicycling are important for campus sustainability, accessibility, and student well-being. Administrators attended and provided important information about the inner workings of campus facilities and our decision-making structure. Attendees left with a better understanding of the logistics of beginning and maintaining a project that requires physical space.  

Idea Co-Lab  

The Idea Co-Lab (Climate Cafe Series) provided a space for students to workshop climate action projects, collaborate with faculty mentors, and access sustainability resources. A key partnership with Artists with Ecology allowed MES Fellowship students collaborating with local teams to develop an art installation that doubles as an ecological data-monitoring tool. The program also featured various workshops, panel discussions, and civic engagement education sessions, all aimed at equipping the community with the tools for sustainable activism. 

Earth Week Events  

Farmworkers Social Justice Day, April 23rd, 2025  

On March 25th, the theme of the annual José Gomez Farmworkers Justice Day was  “Another World is Possible with Farmworkers’ Rights to Unionize.” Hosted by the Center for Community-Based Learning and Action, the Clean Energy Fund, CCAS, and others, the event honored the legacy of José Gomez, a member of the faculty, (as well as a Dean, a former executive assistant to Cesar Chavez, a Harvard Law graduate, and the first openly LGBTQ+ board member of the ACLU.) The event highlighted ongoing struggles since the installation of a dangerously discriminatory administration, including the recent ICE detention of Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez. A panel of speakers, including Familias Unidas por Justicia, Edgar Franks and members of the Cooperative Tierra y Libertad, shared stories of mistreatment in the workplace, from unpaid breaks to wage theft. They also showcased the cooperative model as a path to a “solidarity economy” where workers govern themselves, receive just treatment, and are protected from labor abuses. The event underscored the critical role of organization and solidarity in advocating for farmworkers’ rights and dignity. 

Rachel Carson Forum, April 24th, 2025 

The annual Rachel Carson Forum, hosted by the Master of Environmental Studies Association (MESA), celebrated its 40th anniversary with the theme, “Stories of Adaptation: asking ourselves how environmental work has changed over the last 40 years.” The event honored the legacy of Rachel Carson by bringing together activists, scientists, and writers to promote environmental awareness. Speakers included retired Evergreen faculty member Dr. Rob Knapp, who discussed the sustainable design of buildings, drawing on his recent book, Bananas in Snow Country. Dr. Francisco Santiago-Avila spoke on transforming our relationship with nature.  and Dr. Adam Romeroexplored the potential for a sustainable U.S. agricultural system. The forum provided a platform for meaningful discussion and highlighted the ongoing commitment to environmental education and advocacy at The Evergreen State College. 

Climate & Equity Symposiums  

Equity Symposium Climate Lecture, April 16th and 17th , 2025 

A special climate lecture, titled “Solarpunk and You,” was presented as part of Evergreen’s annual Equity Symposium. The workshop, featuring a lecture by Sam Saltiel, a presentation by CCAS’s Michael Joseph, and discussion by Anthony Levenda and Kendra Aguilar, explored the genre of Solarpunk and its ability to inspire hope and action in a world often dominated by dystopian narratives. The session used tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) as a vehicle for societal imagination, helping participants reflect on their individual strengths and explore practical tools for building a sustainable, equitable future. The event aimed to equip students, educators, and sustainability advocates with actionable insights on how to harness their unique abilities for climate action. 

Climate Symposium, May 17th, 2025 

The Thurston County Climate & Sustainability Convention, co-hosted with the Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT), successfully brought together elected officials, staff, invited speakers, and citizens from across the county for a full day of workshops, networking, and collaborative visioning about climate and sustainability. The event celebrated the diverse and impactful work being done in the region, featuring a project and poster gallery that showcased contributions from students, staff, faculty, and other regional partners. Master’s theses and undergraduate research were also highlighted. The convention served as a platform for attendees to meet and connect, strengthening collaborative efforts for a more sustainable future in the South Sound. 

Summer Institute  

Teaching and Learning for Climate Action: Building a Greener World (2 days), July 28th and 29th, 2025 

The two-day Summer Institute on Teaching Social Action, hosted in partnership with the Washington Learning and Teaching Center, focused on exploring Solarpunk and planning for sustainable classroom practices. The event brought together faculty and staff for a series of hands-on design sessions aimed at building climate literacy and agency in students. On Day 1, participants were introduced to the core concepts of Solarpunk and its intersection with teaching for social action. The afternoon session featured a powerful workshop led by Barbara Smith from the Native Case Studies initiative, who provided advice on the respectful integration of the college’s collection of Native case studies into curricula. Day 2 began with a seminar on Utopias, Protopias, and Dystopias, where attendees examined how imagined futures in literature and media influence our understanding of justice and sustainability. The institute concluded with a visioning and design thinking session, where participants used tools like backcasting and sustainable, measurable, action-oriented, relevant, time-bound, inclusive, and equitable (S.M.A.R.T.I.E.) goals to transform large-scale challenges into actionable steps for their classrooms. 

MES Fellowship 

This program, supported by an endowment from the Cargill Foundation, and now housed and expanded within CCAS, supports graduate students’ hands on contributions to projects that deepen community partnerships and drive climate action. The fellowship has historically played a key role in the college’s decarbonization planning, land stewardship, and sustainability reporting, with past fellows moving on to careers in environmental and public service leadership. 

Bulkhead Removal & Salmon Habitat Restoration 

Fellows are assisting in the removal of bulkheads on the college’s beach, creating educational materials about Indigenous stewardship and coastal ecology, and collaborating with the South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and the Squaxin Island Tribe.  

Student Role: Ecological monitoring, site sampling, reflective writing, and partner collaboration.  

Impact: Improving local ecological resilience, strengthening partnerships with local groups and tribes to create educational materials informed by Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), developing lesson plans for faculty, ensuring long-term ecological monitoring, and hosting public events to engage the community in restoration and citizen science. 

Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team’s (DERT) Community Envisioned Deschutes Estuary (CEDE) Series 

Fellows are working to assess and coordinate with CCAS partner DERT to understand the feasibility and logistics of CEDE, with the goal of participating in the Deschutes Estuary restoration.  

Student Role: Leading the research and design process, developing a framework for a functional, scalable prototype. 

Impact: Production of an innovative floating wetland prototype, integrating art and ecology to create a blueprint for future environmental restoration and public education projects in the Puget Sound estuaries. 

Evergreen Story Maps Initiative 

Fellows are working to create a shareable, visually appealing, and easy-to-navigate ArcGIS Story Map that introduces The Evergreen State College through a sustainability and ecological lens 

Student Role: Maintaining and editing ArcGIS map, as well as acting as liaison between faculty and staff for content creation and distribution. 

Impact: This virtual and self-guided tour will highlight Evergreen’s green initiatives, sustainability efforts, student resources, and ecological features to serve as an introduction for prospective students, a companion for on-campus visitors, and a tool for programs like MES orientation and Greener Foundations. 

Climate Action Plan Reconstruction 

Students are working to revise Evergreen’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) by building a shared understanding of what makes a strong sustainability plan, learning from past efforts, and compiling research on best practices. This project involves evaluating the existing plan’s strengths and weaknesses and setting new goals and targets for campus sustainability. 

Student Role: Research, summarize, and contextualize past and current sustainability planning efforts. Prepare foundational materials that can guide future development of climate and sustainability action plans. 

Impact: The condensed and digestible history, context, and general notes will ensure that other entities can make informed decisions in the formation of CAPs down the line. 

Climate Lecture Series 

The Climate Lecture Series served as a cornerstone of the Climate Center’s educational programming, fostering meaningful dialogue on pressing environmental and social issues. Over the past year, we hosted a range of scholars and practitioners who engaged the campus and broader community in critical discussions. Additional abstracts and speaker bios can be found at https://www.evergreen.edu/climate/events-and-workshops. Below is an overview of the lectures, their themes, and audience impact: 

Water and Environmental Justice in Renewable Energy Transitions – Dr. Alida Cantor – October 26, 2024 

This lecture highlighted the ways in which renewable energy projects, despite being crucial for climate change mitigation, can disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. leading to environmental injustices and disputes over land and water. Dr. Cantor shared her research on the hydro social cycle impacts, imaginaries, and environmental justice issues tied to water-energy transitions in the Western United States. Dr. Cantor is an Associate Professor of Geography at Portland State University.   

Climate Action in Local Government – Dr. Pamela Braff, Linsey Fields, Rebecca Harvey, and Alyssa Jones Wood – November 18, 2024  

A panel focused on the work of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative discussed local and regional climate action. Climate professionals in local and county government shared their experiences in meeting greenhouse gas reduction goals and building climate resilience for communities in the South Sound. They responded to questions about the challenges and opportunities for climate action, particularly in the face of potential reductions in federal support for mitigation and adaptation efforts. Dr. Pamela Braff is the Director of Climate Programs for the City of Olympia. Linsey Fields is the City of Lacey’s first Climate and Sustainability Coordinator. Rebecca Harvey is the Thurston County Commissioners’ Climate Mitigation Senior Program Manager. Alyssa Jones Wood is the Sustainability Manager for the City of Tumwater. 

Voices of Resistance – Jacob Johns, Jhajayra Machoa Mendúa, Kayla Jenkins – January 22, 2025 

This panel explored the intersection of climate justice and Indigenous rights, addressed the struggles for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination, and discussed their hopes for collective action to tackle the climate crisis. Jacob Johns is a climate justice organizer and current Eastern Washington University activist-in-residence. Jhajayra Mendoza Mendúa is a land and water protector who serves as spokesperson for A’i Cofán people. Kayla Jenkins is an Indigenous Outreach & Education Advisor for the Ecuador-based Kuan-Kuan Foundation.  

Just Transition: Ensuring Equity in the Shift to a Carbon Free Economy – Dr. Mijin Cha – February 19, 2025  

Dr. Cha shared her expertise on climate and environmental justice, labor/climate coalitions, and the intersection of inequality and the climate crisis. A discussion followed on the critical topic of strategies and policies needed to transition to a sustainable, carbon-free economy while protecting the rights and livelihoods of workers and communities. Dr. Mijin Cha is an Assistant Professor in the Environmental Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz 

Empowering the Energy Workforce: Uneven Geographies of Apprenticeship, Wages, and Employment in the US after the Inflation Reduction Act – Dr. Nikki Luke – April 25, 2025 

Dr. Luke explored the intricate dynamics of energy governance and its impact on labor and communities. Drawing from her extensive research in urban geography, she discussed the ways in which power relations rooted in race, gender, class, and ability influence energy policy and the organization of energy justice movements. With a particular focus on the American South, Nikki highlighted the challenges and opportunities faced by workers in the energy sector. Dr. Nikki Luke is an Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Tennessee 

Highlights and Impact Overview – Climate Lecture Series 

The lecture series successfully aligned with the Climate Center’s mission to inspire informed action by showcasing diverse topics, including water and environmental justice in renewable energy transitions, the challenges of climate action in local government, indigenous resistance, and strategies for a just transition to a carbon-free economy. One notable outcome was increased collaboration on curriculum development and the integration of new ideas into faculty discussions. The series succeeded in encouraging critical thought and the making of new meaningful connections between issues affecting ecological and sociological sectors by students, staff, faculty, and community members.  

Student Initiatives Towards Sustainability 

Edible Campus  

Evergreen’s Edible Campus program is a hands-on, student-led initiative focused on the history, science, design and management of edible landscapes, and on actually creating socially inviting and sustainable edible landscapes across campus. The Climate Center has an ongoing relationship with the class, often serving as a counselor and providing crucial information and guidance as the program navigates facilities and the campus’ land management entities. In the past year, students engaged in a wide range of practical projects, including land and soil assessments, organizing focus group feedback, creating food forest maps, and preparing to build new gardens. The program, which operates year-round as a 14 credit offering each quarter, teaches students the fundamentals of agroecology, horticulture, and applied quantitative skills through hands-on practice. Students apply principles of agroecosystem diversity, soil science, and resource recycling while learning about plant growth, garden management, and site assessment. The program emphasizes a holistic approach, exploring the human dimensions of food traditions, the dynamics of governance, and the functioning of solidarity economies. Students learn to use practical tools like design thinking and data analysis to turn their ideas into reality, transforming the campus into a living laboratory for sustainable change.  

On-campus Bike Shop Revival 

Efforts are currently underway to create “Bike Shop 2.0,” through a student-led initiative focused on creating a functional and community-oriented space to revive the campus bike shop. Students are involved in building equipment, creating an inventory system, and planning future events. The project is focused on recruiting and building support, negotiating with facilities and the administration for space, and serving the Evergreen campus as an official “shop”. Students have already held multiple “Bike Repair Clinics” around campus, using pop-up stalls where students and community bicyclists have been able to service their vehicles on the go. The long-term plan includes developing sustainable fundraising strategies and engaging with the community to ensure the bike shop’s longevity. Over the last year, CCAS has provided the Bike Shop crew with spaces for discussion and creative planning and has aided with project management.  

Film Screenings 

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, September 24th, 2024, in partnership with Evergreen’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Transformational Change (CELTC) 

The Climate Center, CELTC, and the Evergreen community came together to kick off the year with a reflective and powerful film in tune with current events. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind follows human society post-collapse. A small group led by a young woman navigates a ravaged environment in hopes of bridging communities in conflict and the remainders of the natural world. Far more than a movie night, the event used the film’s themes of environmentalism, leadership, and hope to connect with students’ own passions for sustainability and social justice. Concluding with a post-film discussion, the evening highlighted the importance of representative media, focusing on how widely the story resonated. Conversations about activism, climate anxiety, and the balance between science and empathy sparked critical thought and social imagination, providing a guiding light for first year students as they began their own journeys at Evergreen with images and subsequent reflection about the possibility of creating a better future. 

Fish War, November 18th, 2024, in partnership with CELTC and s’gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ  House of Welcome 

Later in the fall, CCAS hosted a screening of the documentary Fish War at the s’gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ House of Welcome. The event, held in honor of Native American Month, showcased this film, produced by Northwest Treaty Tribes and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. Fish War details the long-standing fight for Indigenous fishing rights in Washington, drawing connections to critical issues of climate action and treaty rights. Following the film, a panel discussion featured speakers with expertise in Indigenous rights and environmental justice. The event successfully brought together students, faculty, and community members to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the historical and ongoing struggle for justice and tribal sovereignty. 

 

Finding Common Ground, February 24th, 2024, in partnership with CELTC, the Master of Environmental Studies Student Association, and s’gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ  House of Welcome 

This documentary screening offered an in-depth look at how diverse groups in the Pacific Northwest have overcome historical conflicts to address major conservation challenges. Finding Common Ground follows the historical evolution from the “Fish Wars” to landmark agreements like the Centennial Accord and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. The film features interviews with key figures such as Ron Allen, Christine Gregoire, and Urban Eberhart, underscoring the ways in which collaborative leadership has led to innovative solutions in natural resource management. Following the screening, a panel of experts discussed the film’s themes, providing further insight into fostering collaborative approaches to contemporary issues. 

Olympia Green Drinks 

The Center for Climate Action and Sustainability has maintained a valuable partnership with Olympia Green Drinks, a grassroots network that provides a vital way to connect students’ work at the college with environmental professionals and ongoing community activity.  This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for students to connect with ongoing work on climate and environmental solutions in a simultaneously informal and professional setting.  

Every month, these gatherings bring together a diverse group of professionals from NGOs, academia, government, and business. Students can connect with these experts, building professional relationships which contribute to creating a connected regional landscape of environmental advocates. This format fosters serendipitous connections and the organic exchange of ideas, helping students go beyond theoretical concepts by engaging with real-world applications of their studies. 

Impact 

• Beyond the Classroom: Green Drinks provides a critical space for students to reflect, discuss, and get involved in working on regional environmental issues in an informal setting. This exposure can inspire creative research and projects, including solutions that directly apply their coursework. 

• Networking: By attending, students build meaningful connections with environmental professionals, significantly enhancing their career prospects. 

• Learning from experts: Guest speakers, including community leaders and professionals, provide students with direct exposure to real-world environmental initiatives and organizational models. This dialogue helps bridge the gap between academic theory and practical applications. 

Through this partnership, CCAS has successfully created an ongoing, dynamic, and impactful forum that supplements traditional academic learning with essential professional development and networking opportunities. 

Guest speakers during the 2024-2025 Green Drinks season included: 

• Maurice “Mo” Majors, Washington State Park Archaeologist 

• Kelli Bush, Sustainability in Prisons Project 

• Rhys Roth, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure 

• Presenters from Evergreen’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Transformational Change 

• Dr. Pamela Braff, Director of Climate Programs at the City of Olympia 

• Alyssa Jones Wood, Sustainability Manager for the City of Tumwater 

• Sarah Hammon, Olympia Ecosystems 

• Phoebe Cross, Thurston ECO Network 

Student Worker Program 

Our Student Worker Program offers participants hands-on opportunities to contribute to campus sustainability initiatives while developing professional skills. Distinct from the Community Internship Program and MES Fellowship, this program employs students directly within CCAS to support its mission and projects. 

Student workers are vital to CCAS’s operations, assisting with office and social media management, event coordination, and communications. Over time, many students have taken ownership of specific programs, acting as liaisons with other departments and advancing initiatives that staff did not have time to prioritize. This program has significantly enhanced our work while providing students with valuable skills in event planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement. 

Many student workers also grow as leaders, managing programs and fostering new collaborations. Recently, we celebrated the graduation of Aeowyn Isobel, our lead editor and office assistant, who completed her undergraduate degree at Evergreen. 

Moving forward, CCAS plans to expand the program by offering additional training opportunities, increasing student-led initiatives, and establishing mentorships with professionals in the sustainability field. The Student Worker Program embodies Evergreen’s commitment to hands-on learning, preparing students to become leaders in climate action and beyond. 

Additional Partnerships, Workshops, Projects, and Conferences 

Partnership – Thurston ECO Network  

This winter, CCAS officially joined the Thurston ECO Network, a coalition of sustainability and outreach professionals. As a member, we have worked to expand educational partnerships, community engagement in climate and environmental issues, and professional development opportunities for sustainability practitioners throughout the region. 

Workshop – October 30, 2025, Climate 101: Science, Policy, and Justice, in partnership with the Sustainability in Prisons Project 

The Center for Climate Action and Sustainability, in collaboration with the Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP), a partnership founded by the College and the Washington State Department of Corrections, and with the Evergreen Liberation Education Network (ELEN), hosted an 80-minute workshop on the intersection of climate science and social justice at the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility. The session was led by Dr. Anthony Levenda, whose presentation included a concise overview of climate science and a discussion on climate justice, highlighting present social inequalities and subsequent downstream effects following ecological degradation. Michael Joseph closed with an inspirational discussion of Solarpunk futures, leaving listeners with a foundational understanding of climate change and its impacts. The workshop concluded with reflective writing and group discussions, where participants considered the skills and actions needed to build a more sustainable world.  

Workshop – Climate Game Nights

CCAS, Native Pathways Program, and the Indigenous Futurists Society: Coyote & Crow – March 8 & 9, 2025 

The Coyote & Crow Longhouse Game Night, co-hosted with the Native Pathways Program and the Indigenous Futurists Society, introduced students to indigenous futurism through storytelling and role-playing. Participants engaged in a collaborative, narrative-driven experience to explore sustainable and decolonized relationships with land and technology. 

CCAS and International Study Abroad Office: Climate Games Day – April 9, 2025 

In partnership with Evergreen’s International Study Abroad program, we hosted an afternoon of games and snacks where participants tackled resource-trading challenges to spark creative solutions to climate adversity. 

CCAS and MESA: Eco-Games Night – May 8, 2025 

Organized by the Masters in Environmental Studies Association and supported by CCAS, this relaxed and welcoming afternoon of nature-themed board games provided a light-hearted adventure filled experience!  

Project – Hydroponics Research Continuation at the Tacoma Campus  

On the Tacoma campus, an ongoing project has been developing a hydroponics curriculum and research program to address food insecurity and improve access to healthy foods. This initiative aligns with Evergreen’s goal of becoming a hub for sustainable urban agriculture education. Students have been instrumental in integrating their hydroponics research into kitchen spaces, working to bridge the gap between campus-grown food and student-run food services.  

Conference – The Washington Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference  (WOHESC) 

Students, faculty, and staff from The Evergreen State College attended the 2025 WOHESC conference in Portland, Oregon. This marked a milestone year for Evergreen’s involvement, with a staff member presenting material and representing the college for the first time. Assistant Director Michael Joseph led an interactive session titled “Solarpunk and You: How We Can Change the World.” Employing table top role playing games and writing exercises helped participants imagine climate and social resilience. Additionally, a student represented Evergreen in the Sustainability Design Challenge, bringing back insights on design thinking strategies to enrich campus projects. The conference reinforced CCAS’s commitment to environmental leadership, served as a bonding experience for staff, and provided important networking opportunities.  

Conference – Critical Edge Alliance 

This June, Evergreen hosted the international Critical Edge Alliance conference, bringing together educators and innovators from around the globe. The Center presented imaginative actions institutions can take in the face of climate change and federal opposition at the conference, sharing practical strategies for resilience and collaboration. The presentation was created and delivered by both students and staff, who conducted background research and contributed to the content. The team showcased how Evergreen is responding to systemic challenges through various institutional initiatives. 

Conclusion 

Continue reading

We’re excited to share the first steps of a new collaborative project between the Climate Center and Evergreen’s Game Design students and faculty—one that’s been a long time in the making. This month, we officially launched a pilot video‑podcast series exploring the intersections of games, climate justice, and education called “Roll for Change!”.

Early last Saturday morning, a team of enthusiastic students, staff, faculty, and an alumni community member (Ross Cowman, owner of Deernicorn and President of the TGA)  gathered outside the fantastic Mystic Game Shop to kick off the project. The session focused on two main goals: building shared skills around recording and production, and playtesting the format through a live, game‑based recording.

Learning the Ropes of Production

The morning began with a hands‑on introduction to the basics of video‑podcast production. Participants learned about audio setup, camera framing, lighting considerations, and collaborative recording workflows. For many, this was a first opportunity to step behind the scenes of a media production process—acquiring knowledge that will be essential as the project grows and future episodes are refined.

This pilot session was intentionally designed as a learning experience. By experimenting early, we’re able to identify what works, what needs adjustment, and how to make the process more accessible and sustainable for students and collaborators moving forward.

Play as a Lens for Climate Futures

After the production briefing, participants were introduced to the game that anchored the session: Tidal Blades, a tabletop role‑playing game that fits within the“Tidalpunk” subgenre of solarpunk. With its emphasis on oceanic cultures, renewable technologies, and community resilience in the face of larger threats, the game provided a some entry points for conversations about climate justice and ecological futures.

For this session, players used characters inspired by the United Nations’ Inner Development Goals (IDGs), a framework focused on cultivating the internal skills and values needed to address complex global challenges. Through play, participants explored themes including renewable energy, aquatic life, collective care, and the emerging concept of the blue economy, which centers the sustainable and equitable use of ocean resources.

Looking Ahead

We learned a great deal from this first pilot recording, from making technical adjustments to improving our pacing and facilitation. The insights gathered will help us refine the process for next month’s session and future episodes, while the next step for this episode will focus on editing the recording and preparing it for release.

This pilot is just the beginning. Our goal is to create a series that highlights how games can be powerful tools for climate education, bringing creativity, empathy, and critical thinking into conversations about justice, sustainability, and the future we’re building together!

If you’d like to follow along, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for updates on the project and announcements about when the first episode will be released. We can’t wait to share what’s next.

Happy New Year! January’s Green Drinks gathering brought together 40 community members at 3 Magnets all-ages pub downtown for an evening of connection, learning, and collective momentum.

A huge thank you to Bruce and Tony for stepping in with some emergency pizza that saved the day and kept the conversation (and energy) flowing.

Featured Speaker: Mack Kleiva (MES ’25), Metamimicry

Our featured presentation came from Mack Kleiva (Evergreen MES ’25) of Metamimicry, who shared the organization’s story, vision, and deeply inspiring work.

Mack walked us through Metamimicry’s history and current projects, highlighting hands-on, place-based restoration happening literally in people’s backyards, alongside expanded bicoastal efforts in Florida, including bioswale work that supports ecological resilience in the face of climate pressures.

The stories and examples underscored how powerful grassroots stewardship can be — and how those efforts scale when relationships and shared values are centered.

If you’re curious to learn more:

• Explore Metamimicry’s zines and resources
• Reach out about future workshops or collaborations

Their work offers both practical tools and hopeful models for reciprocal relationships between land and humans.

Community Announcements & Opportunities 📣

As always, Green Drinks served as a hub for sharing what’s happening around our region. Here’s a roundup of announcements shared last night:

💼 Job Opportunities

• GRuB (Garden-Raised Bounty) is hiring. https://www.goodgrub.org/jobs-at-grub 
• South Sound Salmon Enhancement Group is hiring an Accountant

🤝 Community Resiliency & Mutual Aid

• Oly Whistles is hosting 3D printing parties to create anti-ICE whistles, printed with hotline numbers to call if someone witnesses ICE activity. These efforts support rapid response and community care. See this video for more info, or visit their central page!

🗣️ Call to Action: Chehalis Basin Developments

There are proposed developments in the Chehalis Basin with potentially significant budgetary and ecological impacts. Local government is actively seeking public input through both virtual and in-person sessions.

Take action:

• Submit public comments and access the Zoom link for tonight’s public hearing at 6:00 PM using this link:
  👉 https://ecology.wa.gov/events/sea/chehalis-eis/chehalis-eis-2025/chehalis-river-basin-sepa-revised-deis-public-comment

Community voices matter — this is a critical moment to engage.

📰 Local News

• DERT (Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team) shared that key updates, events, and opportunities are coming soon. If you’re not already subscribed to their newsletter or following them on social media, now’s a great time to plug in and stay informed about important local restoration work underway.

Upcoming Community Events 🌿📅

There’s no shortage of opportunities to learn, connect, and get involved in the coming weeks. Here are several upcoming events shared with us — check out the flyers for full details:

• Native Plant Watercolor Workshop
  January 8 | The Salmon Center, Belfair
  A creative, nature-centered evening exploring native plants through watercolor.
• Pier Peer at Boston Harbor Marina
  January 16 | 6:00–8:00 PM
  Discover the fascinating creatures living beneath the pier with guided, light-supported exploration.
• Eat Planet Friendly
  Thursday, January 15 | 6:30 PM
  Learn how food choices that support human health can also reduce carbon footprints.
• Discover Pass Free Day – MLK Jr. Day
  January 19
  A chance to explore Washington’s public lands without a Discover Pass.
• MLK Jr. National Day of Service: Restoration Hedgerows & Mulching
  January 19
  Participate in hands-on ecological restoration supporting long-term habitat and watershed health.
• An Evening with Paul Koberstein: Canopy of Titans
  January 20 | Olympia Timberland Library
  A timely discussion of forests, biomass energy, and impacts along the North American West Coast, combined with the monthly meeting of the Sierra Club’s South Sound Group. Held at the Olympia Timberland Library at 4:30 PM on January 20th Tuesday, January 20 4:30 – 6:00pm
• Public Lecture: Gaming for Change
  January 21 | Evergreen State College
  Exploring how tabletop games and simulations support climate justice, systems thinking, and education.
• Olympia Community Solar’s 2026 Annual Celebration
  January 29 | Olympia
  Celebrate another year of local solar projects, partnerships, and progress.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared announcements, and helped make this gathering such a vibrant start to the year. Green Drinks continues to thrive because of the curiosity, care, and commitment of this community — we can’t wait to see you at the next one!

If you want to catch even more community announcements, opportunities, and events (or share your own for the next month) either join the South Sound ECO Net, or email them to ClimateAction@evergreen.edu!

Solarpunk is a movement including stories, art, and real-world projects that ask a core question:

What if we actually solved the climate crisis — and built a more just, caring world while we did it?

Instead of dystopias or apocalyptic collapse, Solarpunk imagines hopeful futures where communities:

• Transition away from fossil fuels to renewables

• Repair relationships with land, water, and non-human kin

• Build systems based on cooperation, mutual aid, and justice

• Blend appropriate technology with local knowledge and culture

You’ll often see images of rooftop gardens, community microgrids, colorful dense neighborhoods, bikes and transit instead of highways, and public spaces full of life. That “aesthetic” is part of it, but Solarpunk is less about the look and more about the practice of building livable futures now.

 

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Why Solarpunk Matters to the Center for Climate Action & Sustainability

At CCAS, we see Solarpunk as more than a genre. It’s a tool for education, and organizing, and inspiring action.

Climate work is often framed around what we don’t want: less carbon, less pollution, less harm. That’s essential—but it’s not enough. To move people from paralysis to action, we also need shared images of what we do want:

• What does a just, decarbonized Evergreen campus look and feel like?

• How does the South Puget Sound Ecoregion thrive in a changing climate?

• What does everyday life look like when equity, care, and regeneration are the norm?

Solarpunk helps us:

• Name and visualize those futures in concrete, local ways.

• Connect head and heart—linking data and policy to stories, art, and place.

• Lower the barrier to entry for climate conversations, especially for students who feel overwhelmed by doom.

• Practice “prefigurative” work: trying out small-scale versions of the world we want—in our classrooms, clubs, gardens, events, and community partnerships.

In short: envisioning a just, equitable, brighter future isn’t a “bonus” to climate action. It’s central to how we choose strategies, build coalitions, and stay with the work for the long haul.

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How We Use Solarpunk at CCAS

Across our programs and partnerships, Solarpunk shows up in different ways:

• Curriculum & workshops – Integrating Solarpunk themes into classes, project design tools, and co-curricular workshops that help students imagine and prototype sustainable futures.

• Student projects – Supporting projects that feel like pieces of a Solarpunk world: community gardens, repair and reuse initiatives, renewable energy education, mutual aid, and more.

• Storytelling & events – Framing events (like talks, climate cafés, and game nights) not just around “what’s wrong,” but around “what can we build instead?”

• Regional collaboration – Linking Evergreen’s work to a wider ecosystem of local organizations experimenting with resilient, regenerative practices.

If you’re interested in using Solarpunk as a lens for your project, course, or community partnership, CCAS is happy to brainstorm and support you.

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Learn More: Solarpunk Video Playlists

To help students, staff, faculty, and community members explore Solarpunk at their own pace, we’ve curated three YouTube playlists:

• Solarpunk 101: Intro to the Idea. Short, accessible videos that introduce the basic concepts, aesthetics, and values of Solarpunk. Great starting point if you’re new to the term.

• Solarpunk 201: How Can We Use it? Talks, mini-documentaries, and case studies that show how people are putting Solarpunk principles into action—through community energy, urban design, art, mutual aid, and more.

• Solarpunk 301: Extended Deep Dives. Longer lectures and essays for those who want to dig into political, social, and philosophical questions: justice, decolonization, economic systems, and the challenges of making hopeful futures real.

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Get Involved

If Solarpunk sparks something for you, we’d love to connect:

• Want to design a Solarpunk-inspired project or an Independent Learning Contract (ILC)?

• Interested in incorporating Solarpunk themes or topics into your program or course?

• Curious about collaborations between CCAS, student groups, and community organizations?

Contact us at ClimateAction@evergreen.edu to talk about how your ideas can plug into the broader work of climate justice, sustainability, and vibrant futures at Evergreen and beyond.

Additional Resources:

• Early CCAS Opinion Editorial on Solarpunk by Assistant Director Michael Joseph
• Exploring and Envisioning Solarpunk webcomic

The State of the Office of Sustainability 

Two years ago, the director of Evergreen’s Office of Sustainability (OOS) left, and last year, the college confirmed the position will not be refilled. The OOS has been dissolved until further notice. 

This office managed critical responsibilities, including: 

• Evergreen’s Greenhouse Gas emissions reporting (for state compliance) 

• AASHE STARS sustainability metrics 

• Zero waste and carbon reduction goals 

• Development of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2007

• Assisting with Sustainable Campus Infrastructure development (greenhouses, bike repair stands, waste audits/education, etc.) 

With the office closed, there is no active climate/sustainability action plan on campus. However, a portion of the former OOS Director’s FTE will be generously supporting the CCAS as it continues to provide some overlapping services such as facilitating Evergreen’s off-campus contacts and communications. It will not be involved with infrastructure planning or projects. 

Facilities/Operations has completed CCA building audits and a Decarbonization Plan for the Department of Commerce (supported by $600K in grants from the Department), entered into a Demand Response Agreement to reduce utility usage, and submitted EPA and Department of Ecology Greenhouse reports. It will also be monitoring updates to CETA and CBPS. 

Facilities believes that including a section on Sustainability/Climate Action should be considered in the approaching updates to the Campus Infrastructure Master Plan, to support the recent college strategic plan. The administration’s hope is to have student engagement with all aspects of the college regarding sustainability. 

For questions or concerns regarding the long-term continuation of the remaining OOS roles and the campus’ environmental stewardship goals, the best points of contact for campus operations/infrastructure sustainability would be the Facilities and Operations office and/or the President’s Office (President@evergreen.edu). 

The State of the Climate Center 

The Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS), housed in academics as a public service center, was asked by college leadership to focus primarily on off-campus partnerships and regional collaborations rather than internal operations. While CCAS will still offer classroom and student/faculty support, a majority of its projects and work will be in collaboration with off-campus state and non-profit entities, focusing on education development and ecological restoration work. This will also allow CCAS to expand its donor base and regional network.

In Spring, the CCAS Assistant Director submitted a grant proposal to fund MES Fellowship students revising and examining the outdated Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CCAS team explored options for an updated CAP, including renewable energy pathways, zero waste goals, and the potential for a Green Revolving Fund. However, both our internal assessment and administrative guidance make it clear that CCAS does not currently have the funding/staff capacity to take on the core duties of the former Sustainability Office.

Instead, as the OOS is not being reinstated, we are recommending that the college consider hiring an external consultant to lead the creation of a renewed climate or sustainability action plan, with CCAS available to support at a limited capacity. 

Shifting Priorities – Less On-Campus, More Regional Work 

Going forward, CCAS will emphasize: 

• Off-Campus Community & Regional Research Projects: Brand new partnerships on efforts like Capital Lake/Deschutes Estuary restoration, Chehalis Basin planning, Oly Ecosystems’ projects, Thurston County’s Climate Action Plan, and statewide energy infrastructure will be taking us off-campus and working with the high schools, county, and Cascadia bioregion at large. 

• Storytelling & Publicity: Amplifying Evergreen students’ and faculty’s sustainability projects and research, making the wider community aware of projects such as the MES thesis work, the new Mushroom Lab, and campus decarbonization efforts. 

• Education & Engagement: Continuing classroom visits; guest lectures; and creating useful resources, climate-focused curriculum, and professional development opportunities for students and faculty. 

• Graduate Fellowship Program: Continuing expansion from two to four fellows via matching endowment funding, supporting advanced research and project coordination for CCAS. 

• Internships: Transitioning from paid to for-credit internships for the time being, and expanding partner opportunities and coordination with the new Internship Office. 

Campus project consultation efforts will also be put on the back burner, as the Public CoLab initiative (a physical and virtual hub space providing resources and assistance to students and the public with sustainability projects) was unfortunately not approved by our administration at this time. A future version may be developed when CCAS is able to find time for alternative ways to provide those services. 

Sustainability Across Campuses

Clean Energy Committee Welcomes New Student Crew 

This fall, the Clean Energy Committee (CEC) is excited to welcome a new cohort of student leaders dedicated to advancing sustainability and climate action on campus. Faculty and CCAS Director Dr. Anthony Levenda will continue to provide guidance, alongside Enija Reed, a second-year MES student with CCAS. As a result of last spring’s student vote to expand the green fee, CEC has increased funding to support educational programming and implement active solutions to reduce carbon emissions and promote climate resilience across Evergreen’s campus. This expansion empowers students to take a more active role in shaping Evergreen’s energy future through hands-on projects, outreach, and innovation. 

Residential & Dining Sustainability 

RAD Sustainability is launching fall outreach with new flyers and a feedback/suggestion form to engage students in sustainable living. While garden plots on lower campus are paused for seasonal bed rebuilding, students can access community plots at the Organic Farm. New beds near the Rec Pavilion are underway for the Edible Campus program, with expansion plans in motion, and CCAS will be helping convert the historic Aquaponics Greenhouse to a student-accessible greenhouse over the Fall Quarter, in time for winter gardening. 

The Bike and the Bees 

Evergreen’s sustainability efforts continue to buzz with student-led initiatives. Last year, students working with the Olympia Beekeeper’s Association received a grant from the City of Olympia’s Inspire program to fund up to five nucleus bee hives and supplies in partnership with Evergreen’s Sustainability in Prisons Project. While administrative staff ultimately decided the Organic Farm was unprepared to host the hives, three were successfully donated to the Freedom Farm, where students with Individual Learning Contracts (ILCs) tended to them throughout the summer. There is now a call to form a student club to support a long-term beekeeping program on campus. Interested students and faculty should reach out to faculty advocates:

•  Melissa Nivala (nivalam@evergreen.edu), Ben Husndorfer (Ben.Hunsdorfer@evergreen.edu), or Sarah Williams (williasa@evergreen.edu).
• And/or contact Student Activities and WashPIRG to get involved on the student/club side (StudentActivities@evergreen.edu; kai.hawkins@publicinterestnetwork.org). 

Meanwhile, the Bikeshop Co-op is making strides toward a permanent campus home. Students collaborated with Facilities and received preliminary approval from the Space and Land Use Group (SLUG) to convert a staff/faculty lounge into a dedicated Bikeshop space, pending union agreement. To move forward, the Co-op will need to secure funding through proposals to the S&A Allocation Board and/or the Clean Energy Committee. For the space to be operational, Student Activities has requested an operations manual to address safety and staffing concerns—this was submitted at the start of summer and is currently under administrative review. 

Tacoma Campus Food Security

At Evergreen’s Tacoma Campus, students, staff, and faculty are working closely with local partners and community leaders to address food insecurity through sustainable, place-based solutions. These efforts include expanding access to existing community gardens and offering educational programming to empower residents with the skills to grow their own food. Additionally, the campus is continuing to develop its Hydroponics Lab as a hands-on learning and production space, supporting innovative approaches to urban agriculture and food justice.

Looking Ahead – Formation of the CSC 

While some of these transitions mean less direct support for on-campus sustainability projects, we’re working hard to build bridges between Evergreen and the broader community. A highlight will be Solarpunk Super Saturday this spring, a revival and reinvention of historic Evergreen traditions, blending campus and community in celebration of ecological imagination and action. 

If you’re a student, faculty, or staff member interested in shaping Evergreen’s sustainability future, we invite you to join the reinstated Campus Sustainability Council. This space will serve as a collaborative forum in which we can share ideas, coordinate efforts, and build momentum for climate action on campus. 

If you have questions, concerns, or stories of your own sustainability work to share, pleaseconnect with us at ClimateAction@evergreen.edu. 

We know some of these changes may be difficult to hear, and we share that sense of challenge. At the same time, we see this as a chance to grow Evergreen’s leadership in climate action through partnerships that connect the college to Cascadia and beyond.

 

 

In response to the evolving landscape of sustainability work at Evergreen, we’re excited to announce the formation of the Campus Sustainability Council—a new collective space for students, staff, and faculty to coordinate, communicate, and collaborate on sustainability efforts across campus.

This initiative has emerged in part due to the indefinite dissolution of the Office of Sustainability and the proposed redirection of the Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS) toward more externally focused, off-campus public service work. The Council is designed to fill the gap by fostering a decentralized, inclusive, and action-oriented community for campus sustainability.

What Is the Sustainability Council?

The Council is both a virtual asynchronous space and a quarterly in-person roundtable, open to all members of the Evergreen community and the public.

• A Microsoft Teams space will be established with dedicated channels for key topic areas such as:

  • Food & Agriculture
  • Transportation
  • Energy & Carbon
  • Zero-Waste
  • Biodiversity & Land Stewardship
  • Climate Justice & Education
  • Events & Outreach

  These channels will enable users to upload documents, share updates, ask questions, and coordinate projects in real-time or asynchronously. The goal is to connect earlier, collaborate more effectively, and advance sustainability goals further.

• A quarterly roundtable session will be held every Wednesday of Evaluation Week, providing a space to:

  • Reflect on the past quarter’s activities
  • Plan for the upcoming quarter
  • Identify areas for collaboration
  • Share resources and updates

  These sessions will be open to the public, and we encourage community members, local partners, and alumni to join the conversation.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone. The Council is not run by any single office or department—it is a shared space for all who care about sustainability at Evergreen. Whether you’re working on a class project, managing a campus initiative, or just curious about how to get involved, you’re welcome.

What’s Next?

More information will be released as final details are completed, including how to join the Teams space and participate in the first roundtable. In the meantime, questions, ideas, and expressions of interest can be directed to:

📧 ClimateAction@evergreen.edu

Let’s build a more connected, resilient, and sustainable Evergreen—together.

 

Thanks to everyone who joined us at Green Drinks this month! Here’s a round-up of the amazing community projects, events, and opportunities that were shared. Dive in and get involved! 👇

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🌱 Community Events & Projects

• Permaculture Rising – Melissa shared a bounty of happenings—nursery sales, food preservation workshops, and deep dives into food forests and permaculture!
  • 🔗 https://www.permaculturerising.com/workshops
• Surfrider Foundation – Lynn announced a Cigarette Butt Pickup happening Monday the 15th, starting at City Hall. They’re also celebrating a great cleanup collaboration with Thurston Econet!
  • 📍Instagram Post
• Capital Land Trust – Will shared an upcoming event, an Afternoon of Reflection at Inspiring Kids Preserve, on Tuesday, Sept 23 from 4:30–6:30 PM . They’re also teaming up with the Puget Sound Estuarium in November (on the 8th, 9th & 11th) for a Salmon Experience at Bayshore Preserve.
  • 🔗 https://capitollandtrust.org/salmon
• Puget Sound Estuarium – Clarissa shared lots of exciting events. Everything from Underwater Drone adventures (Pier Peer) at Boston Harbor Marina, to their upcoming Speaker Series. And a fun fundraiser with bands and a drag show 🎶👑
  • 🔗 See Events Calendar
• Fix-It Fair – Nov 5 – Rob, from Thurston Solid Waste, announced the 3rd annual Fix-It Fair at Lacey Makerspace! Bring broken items, sign up to volunteer, or just come check it out. 🔧 Past fixes even included a 3D printed toaster knob replacement!
  • 🔗 Info Page + Fix-It Fair volunteer + signup form
• TCAT Celebration – Sept 20 Mason, from Olympia Community Solar, shared that the Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT) is hosting a celebration/fundraiser on Saturday the 20th.
  • 🎉 United for Climate – Details
• Thurston Econet Mixer & Speaker Series – Phoebe shared that Econet’s monthly gathering will be  supplemented by a Thursday after-hours social at Vic’s Pizzeria this month, giving eco-educators another opportunity to get together! They’re also launching a speaker series — reach out if you have topics or presenters in mind! Be sure to join their email listserv to share your events!
  • 🔗 https://thurstoneconetwork.org/

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🙌 Programs & Volunteer Opportunities

• 🗑 Master Recycler & Composter Program – Rob also mentioned this multi-month training, which is affordable and open to the public!
  
  • Register here!
• 🐾 Mason County Search & Rescue – They’re recruiting volunteers—especially those interested in K9 training, rope skills, wilderness work, or flying drones!
  • 🧭 Volunteer sign-up and Info Link
• 🪵 Tumwater Urban Wood Reuse – Brian (through Michael) shared that the City of Tumwater is exploring a wood reuse program to repurpose trees into woodshop and community materials instead of landfilling them.
  • 🌳 Email Brian Caughlan bcaughlan@ci.tumwater.wa.us

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💡 Local Engagement & Political Reminders

• 📣 Environmental Action & Elections – Ronda suggested the Enviro-Talk ListServ for those interested in local environmental conversations and knowledge sharing (especially among retirees with expertise!).
  🗳 She also reminded us to review local candidates and keep up the pushback on the Olympia Airport Expansion.
  • 🔗 Read more at the Action Network
• 🌟 Evergreen Orientation Mixer – Oct 22 – Looking to connect with students? Evergreen is hosting a mixer with nonprofits and organizations on Oct 22 from 7–9 PM, with refreshments.
  • 📬 Email ClimateAction@evergreen.edu for details.
• 🌞 Solarpunk Saturday Returns (Spring 2026!) – Evergreen’s beloved “Super Saturday” will return with a new twist—Solarpunk Saturday: a day of workshops, music, storytelling, and maybe even a play about the future.
  • Visit our events page website to get details as they are released!

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📬 Want your org or event featured next month? Let us know at next month’s gathering!
💬 And don’t forget to follow and support these amazing local efforts!

#OlympiaGreenDrinks #CommunityPower #SustainabilityEvents #ThurstonCounty #SolarpunkSaturday

This week marked the beginning of a seven-year ecological journey at Evergreen State College’s Geoduck Beach, where the CCAS team (myself, Ian, and Emma) embarked on the first round of data collection following the removal of a concrete armored bulkhead. The goal: to understand how the shoreline evolves and recovers over time. 

We met at the gate around 11 AM, grateful for a break in the heat wave. The weather was unusually cooperative: cool, overcast, and only flirting with drizzle. As we unloaded gear and stretched out the morning stiffness, Ian had already flagged the sampling zones and packed the supplies in their trunk. After a brief pause for birdwatching (a necessary ritual), we got to work. 

🪤 Pitfall Traps: The Bug Hunt Begins 

Our first task was installing pitfall traps. Simple plastic cups dug into the wrackline to catch crawling insects. Ian explained the importance of placing the cups flush with the soil to avoid disturbing the terrain and to ensure bugs would naturally fall in. We added water and a few drops of soap to break surface tension, a trick that helps trap insects effectively. 

Emma and Ian had immediate success—within minutes, their traps had caught a few bugs (mine, I noted, remained stubbornly empty till the very end). Still, it was exciting to see the method in action and understand how even small changes in placement or terrain can affect results. 

🧱 Wrackline as a Living Border 

As we moved between flagged zones, Ian shared an observation that stuck with me: the wrackline is more than just a line of debris. It’s a living intersection where the contents of the sea meet the land. It’s a place of exchange, accumulation, and transformation. That insight gave our work a deeper sense of purpose. 

🧪Sediment Samples & Fallout Traps 

Next, we collected sediment samples using core tubes, digging into the wrackline and placing the samples into labeled tubs. It was more physically demanding than expected—digging, bending, and hauling—but many hands made the work light. 

We also set up fallout traps on the bluff, placing bins to catch airborne debris over 24 hours. Emma reminded us to label everything clearly with laminated cards to prevent curious passersby from disturbing the setup. Poison ivy was a concern, so gloves and long sleeves were a must. 

🌲 Log Analysis & Wrackline Survey 

We wrapped up with log analysis, measuring woody debris and noting characteristics like moss, barnacles, and dimensions. The wrackline survey followed, using the Survey123 app to document debris types and density. 

Throughout the day, we discovered small ways to improve future sessions (bringing a pop-up table, a large tote box for supplies, and even a speaker for morale and fun). We talked about comfort items like snacks, hand sanitizer, and kneepads, and how these small additions could make a big difference.

🌞 Looking Ahead: A Solarpunk Tradition? 

As we packed up, I found myself imagining what this could become. A summer tradition rooted in Solarpunk values—blending community science, ecological restoration, and joyful collaboration. Emma and I brainstormed ways to involve younger students, especially K–5, in meaningful and age-appropriate ways. We envisioned future sessions with volunteers from the Puget Sound Estuarium, South Sound’s GREEN Tean, TRIO Upward Bound College-ready program, or even just curious locals, followed by shared food and connection. 

This first day was more than just data collection. It was a beginning. A moment of learning, reflection, and dreaming.