{"id":687,"date":"2025-11-05T10:37:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T18:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/?p=687"},"modified":"2026-01-13T14:12:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T22:12:05","slug":"the-state-of-sustainability-updates-across-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/the-state-of-sustainability-updates-across-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"The State of Sustainability: Updates Across Campus"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.evergreen.edu\/sustainability\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The State of the Office of Sustainability<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Two years ago, the director of Evergreen\u2019s 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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This office managed critical responsibilities, including:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Evergreen\u2019s Greenhouse Gas emissions reporting (for state compliance)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">AASHE STARS sustainability metrics<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Zero waste and carbon reduction goals<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Development of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2007<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Assisting with Sustainable Campus Infrastructure development (greenhouses, bike repair stands, waste audits\/education, etc.)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With the office closed, there is no active climate\/sustainability action plan on campus. However, a portion of the former OOS Director\u2019s FTE will be generously supporting the CCAS as it continues to provide some overlapping services such as facilitating Evergreen\u2019s off-campus contacts and communications. It will not be involved with infrastructure planning or projects.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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\u2019s hope is to have student engagement with all aspects of the college regarding sustainability.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For questions or concerns regarding the long-term continuation of the remaining OOS roles and the campus\u2019 environmental stewardship goals, the best points of contact for campus <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">operations\/infrastructure <\/span><\/i>sustainability <span data-contrast=\"auto\">would be the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.evergreen.edu\/offices-services\/facilities-services\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Facilities and Operations<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> office and\/or the President\u2019s Office (<\/span><a href=\"mailto:President@evergreen.edu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">President@evergreen.edu<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.evergreen.edu\/academics\/experiential-learning\/centers-institutes\/climate\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The State of the Climate Center<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, housed in academics as a public service center, was asked by college leadership to focus primarily on <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">off-campus partnerships and regional collaborations<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> 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.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Instead, as the OOS is not being reinstated, we are recommending that <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the college consider hiring an external consultant<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to lead the creation of a renewed climate or sustainability action plan, with CCAS available to support at a limited capacity.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">Shifting Priorities \u2013 Less On-Campus, More Regional Work<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Going forward, CCAS will emphasize:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Off-Campus Community &amp; Regional Research Projects<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Brand new partnerships on efforts like Capital Lake\/Deschutes Estuary restoration, Chehalis Basin planning, Oly Ecosystems&#8217; projects, Thurston County\u2019s 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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Storytelling &amp; Publicity<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Amplifying Evergreen students\u2019 and faculty\u2019s 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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Education &amp; Engagement<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Continuing classroom visits; guest lectures; and creating useful resources, climate-focused curriculum, and professional development opportunities for students and faculty.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Graduate Fellowship Program<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Continuing expansion from two to <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">four fellows via matching endowment funding<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, supporting advanced research and project coordination for CCAS.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Internships<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Transitioning from paid to for-credit internships for the time being, and expanding partner opportunities and coordination with the new Internship Office.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sustainability Across Campuses<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"none\">Clean Energy Committee Welcomes New Student Crew<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This fall, the <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/cleanenergy\/#:~:text=Our%20Mission,campus%20staff%20and%20faculty.\">Clean Energy Committee (CEC)<\/a> 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<a href=\"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/meet-the-team\/#:~:text=on%20our%20earth.-,Enija%20Reed%C2%A0,-Pronouns%3A%20She\/They\"> Enija Reed<\/a>, a second-year MES student with CCAS. As a result of last spring\u2019s 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\u2019s campus. This expansion empowers students to take a more active role in shaping Evergreen\u2019s energy future through hands-on projects, outreach, and innovation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"none\">Residential &amp; Dining Sustainability<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RAD Sustainability is launching fall outreach with new flyers and a <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/r\/ewQ6eJtckU\">feedback\/suggestion form<\/a> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.evergreen.edu\/organic-farm\/visiting-volunteering\">Organic Farm<\/a>. 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.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h4><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Bike and the Bees<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Evergreen\u2019s sustainability efforts continue to buzz with student-led initiatives. Last year, students working with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olympiabeekeepers.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Olympia Beekeeper\u2019s Association<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> received a grant from the City of Olympia\u2019s <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inspire<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> program to fund up to five nucleus bee hives and supplies in partnership with Evergreen\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainabilityinprisons.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sustainability in Prisons Project<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. While administrative staff ultimately decided the Organic Farm was unprepared to host the hives, three were successfully donated to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/orla.osd.wednet.edu\/programs\/freedom_farm_program\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Freedom Farm<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, where students with Individual Learning Contracts (ILCs) tended to them throughout the summer. <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There is now a call to form a student club <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to support a long-term beekeeping program on campus. Interested students and faculty should reach out to faculty advocates:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Melissa Nivala (<a href=\"mailto:nivalam@evergreen.edu\">nivalam@evergreen.edu<\/a>)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Ben Husndorfer <\/span>(<a href=\"mailto:Ben.Hunsdorfer@evergreen.edu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ben.Hunsdorfer@evergreen.edu<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">), or Sarah Williams (<\/span><a href=\"mailto:williasa@evergreen.edu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">williasa@evergreen.edu<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And\/or contact Student Activities and WashPIRG to get involved on the student\/club side (<\/span><a href=\"mailto:StudentActivities@evergreen.edu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">StudentActivities@evergreen.edu<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">; <\/span><a href=\"mailto:kai.hawkins@publicinterestnetwork.org\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">kai.hawkins@publicinterestnetwork.org<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Meanwhile, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.evergreen.edu\/student-life\/student-activities\/student-groups#:~:text=Our%20mission%20is%20to%20demystify%20and%20normalize%20bicycle%20riding%20as%20an%20affordable%20transportation%20by%20creating%20a%20welcoming%20space%20to%20provide%20training%2C%20advice%2C%20and%20community%20for%20cyclists%20of%20all%20skill%20levels.\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">the Bikeshop Co-op<\/span><\/a> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">is making strides toward a permanent campus home. Students collaborated with Facilities and received preliminary approval from the <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/slug\/about-2\/\">Space and Land Use Group (SLUG)<\/a> 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&amp;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\u2014this was submitted at the start of summer and is currently under administrative review.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h4>Tacoma Campus Food Security<\/h4>\r\n<p>At Evergreen\u2019s 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/cultivating-sustainability-the-evergreen-state-college-tacomas-hydroponics-lab-initiative\/\">Hydroponics Lab<\/a> as a hands-on learning and production space, supporting innovative approaches to urban agriculture and food justice.<\/p>\r\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"none\">Looking Ahead \u2013 Formation of the CSC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While some of these transitions mean <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">less direct support for on-campus sustainability projects<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, we\u2019re working hard to build bridges between Evergreen and the broader community. A highlight will be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.evergreen.edu\/academics\/experiential-learning\/centers-institutes\/climate\/events-workshops#:~:text=Earth%20Week%202026-,Solarpunk%20Saturday,-May%2016%2C%202026\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Solarpunk Super Saturday<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> this spring, a revival and reinvention of historic Evergreen traditions, blending campus and community in celebration of ecological imagination and action.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you\u2019re a student, faculty, or staff member interested in shaping Evergreen\u2019s sustainability future, we invite you to join the reinstated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/announcing-the-campus-sustainability-council-a-new-collaborative-space-for-climate-and-sustainability-action\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Campus Sustainability Council<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. This space will serve as a collaborative forum in which we can share ideas, coordinate efforts, and build momentum for climate action on campus.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you have questions, concerns, or stories of your own sustainability work to share, pleaseconnect with us at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:ClimateAction@evergreen.edu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">ClimateAction@evergreen.edu<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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\u2019s leadership in climate action through partnerships that connect the college to Cascadia and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The State of the Office of Sustainability\u00a0 Two years ago, the director of Evergreen\u2019s 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.\u00a0 This office managed critical responsibilities, including:\u00a0 Evergreen\u2019s Greenhouse Gas emissions reporting (for state compliance)\u00a0 AASHE STARS [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7234,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7234"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=687"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":929,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/687\/revisions\/929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ccas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}