We acknowledge the Squaxin Island Tribe, whose lands and waters around the inlets of the Southern Salish Sea, are where the MES program has been teaching and learning for the last 40 years. We respect and acknowledge the Squaxin Island Tribe and other Tribes across the Americas, and their many contributions to The Evergreen State College and MES in support of education, tribal sovereignty, and environmental stewardship.

Special thanks to the Evergreen Staff who helped make this event possible: Media Services Staff, Evergreen Catering Staff, EZ Catering, Conference Services Staff, Lord Mansion Staff, Marketing Staff, Advancement Staff, and Facilities Staff.

Thank you to Advancement, MES Directors, and Alumni who have generously donated to support the MES 40^th Anniversary Event!

In addition, we acknowledge and thank everyone at Evergreen who support MES students, staff, and faculty. We specifically thank colleagues in the Academics Budget Office, Graduate Admissions Office, Registration and Records Office, Financial Aid Office, Scholarship Office, Internships Office, Study Abroad Office, House of Welcome, Science Support Center, Advancement Office, Catering and Food Service Centers, Basic Needs Center, Center for Climate Action and Sustainability, Student Activities, Marketing and Communications, Sustainability in Prisons Project, Institutional Review Board, Veteran Resource Center, Grants and Contracts, Writing Center, QuaSR, Library, Archives, Athletics, Deans Area, Provost’s Office and our Evergreen Faculty colleagues.

We want to also thank our wonderful community partners who have supported the MES program, its students and alumni, for the last 40 years! Thank you for all that you do to support student internships, scholarships, thesis research projects, and job placements for graduates and alumni.

Thank you to all the friends, family, and colleagues who have supported MES students, alumni, faculty, and staff over the last 4 decades. Pursuing graduate education and careers in environmental fields, demands tremendous resilience, tenacity, and community support. The MES program’s success reflects the strength and support from the communities that champion students, staff, faculty, and alumni each year.

Thank you to the current Evergreen faculty and staff who support the MES program: Carri LeRoy (Director), Averi Azar (Assistant Director), Zoe Ortega (Program Assistant), Erin Martin, John Withey, Kevin Francis, Shangrila Joshi, Sarah O’Neal, Sarah Hamman, Mike Ruth, Timothy Quinn, Erik Neatherlin, Frederica Bowcutt, Anthony Levenda, Tara Chestnut, and John Kirkpatrick.

We so appreciate all of you and the many ways you have contributed to the MES program over the past 40 years!