Get Involved
Environmental Organizations
Would you like to help WWU along the road to sustainability? WWU
hosts many student groups and organizations which promote ecological protection, social equity, human health, and economies that work for people.
Against Civilization
We believe the institution of civilization, with its cities, agriculture, and technology, is the basis of the most destructive cultures. To face the full impact of civilization requires acknowledging that it is inherently oppressive and destructive. Cities demand the importation of resources, which are ultimately obtained through violence. Agriculture takes more than it gives to the land, turning diverse ecosystems into monocultures and living soil to desert. Technology requires exploitation of the natural world and condenses power into fewer and fewer hands. Industrial civilization in particular, with its machinery, engines, and oil-based production, has further accelerated the speed of the devastation. We draw on environmentalism, feminism, deep ecology, spirituality, anarchy, indigenous lifeways, anti-oppression politics, peak oil and collapse theories, and past struggles for justice for our analysis and our inspiration. We are open to challenging our thinking and ourselves. We recognize that though the dominant culture threatens us all, it also gives privileges to some at the expense of others, and whether industrial culture continues or is stopped, the impact on people will differ.
Coordinator: Dillon Thomson, thomsodden@gmail.com
Group Contact: againstcivilization@gmail.com
AS Alternative Transportation Office
WWU's Sustainable Transportation Office: (1) Provides assistance to the WWU community with alternative transportation information (2) Supports the Student Transportation Program (3) Is a campus resource for sustainable transportation news and information (4) Is a liaison between WWU, WTA and other transportation-related community groups, and (5) Fulfills the requirements of the state Commute Trip Reduction Act.
Website: http://www.wwu.edu/transportation/ | http://transportation.as.wwu.edu
Coordinator: Robby Eckroth, (360) 650-7741
Group Contact: AS.Transportation@wwu.edu
AS Recycle Center
The mission of the A.S. Recycle Center is to provide the opportunity for faculty, staff and students to recycle on campus, to educate the University community on the recycling process at Western, and to continually increase our collection efforts in order to reduce Western's waste stream. In addition to this, we provide student employment opportunities and work experience, specifically in recycling and waste management.
Website: http://recycle.as.wwu.edu/
Coordinator: Richard Neyer, Richard.Neyer@wwu.edu, (360) 650-3088
Educator: Rachel King, AS.Recycle.Educator@wwu.edu
Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA)
The purpose of this chapter is to promote environmental related concerns/topics through interacting with the professional community. Our goals are to provide real world experience and opportunities in the environmental field while creating a network of individuals that share a common interest. Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 5pm in ESCI 534.
Coordinator: Julia McLean, mcleanj2@students.wwu.edu
Group Contact: wwuawma@gmail.com
Other: Devin Mounts, mountsd@students.wwu.edu
Emily Duncanson, duncane3@students.wwu.edu
Matt Moroney, greenisagoodcolor@gmail.com
Associated Students Environmental Center (EC)
The Environmental Center is here to provide resources to students and other community members about local, national and international environmental issues. We have books, videos, magazines, and other media on a full range of topics - from acid rain to zero population growth. We also bring speakers to campus and present fun and educational programs throughout the year, including the annual Earth Day Fair in the spring. We provide club support and volunteer opportunities, and facilitate student involvement in local environmental conferences and campaigns. If you want to get in touch with campus environmental clubs, local organizations, or find job/internship/volunteer opportunities, we're the place to visit!
Website: http://earth.as.wwu.edu/
Coordinator: Chelsea Thaw
Group Contact: AS.earth@wwu.edu or AS.ecc@wwu.edu
Interns: Amy Holm (Environmental Club Networker), holma3@students.wwu.edu
Daniel Webber, mogff6@yahoo.com
Harley Brown, brownh6@students.wwu.edu
Stephen Harvey, harveys2@students.wwu.edu
Environmental and Sustainability Programs Office (ESP)
The ESP is the heartbeat of the campus environmental community. The Environmental Center, the Outback, and the Alternative Transportation Coordinator are the student-led hubs that make up the ESP. All these positions are committed to serving students by helping them grow their passions and discover what sustainability looks like in their own lives. Our united purpose is first and foremost to create and continue a steady flow of collaboration and dialogue around environmental issues.
Website: http://esp.as.wwu.edu/
Coordinator: Nina Olivier, as.esp@wwu.edu
Engineers Without Borders (EWB)
Engineers Without Borders is a non-profit humanitarian organization establsihed to partner with communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life. This partnership involves the implementation of sustainable engineering projects while involving and training internationally responsible engineers and engineering students.
Website: http://ewb-wwu.org/
Coordinator: Miranda Savory, Net Impact (http://www.netimpact.org)
Group Contact: ewb.wwu@gmail.com
Other: Jennifer Parker, parker32@students.wwu.edu
Facilities Management, Grounds Maintenance
Facilities Management (FM) supports Western Washington University's academic mission through the planning, development, maintenance and operation of Western's facilities and grounds. This support is accomplished through leadership, teamwork, and our commitment to quality customer service for the Western Washington University community.
Website: http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fm/index.html
Coordinator: Randy Godfrey, Randy.Godfrey@wwu.edu
Food Not Lawns
Creating a sustainable future by increasing the number of community gardens, producing organic food, working towards food security, and bringing community members together.
Coordinator: Dale Rothermel, rotherd@cc.wwu.edu, (360) 738-4088
Group Contact: foodnotlawns@gmail.com
Green Purchasing, Central Stores
Central Stores is committed to procuring recycled commodities for WWU. Approximately 90% of Central Store's inventory contains recycled material. Copy, printer and janitorial papers contain between 30-100% post consumer waste. Very shortly all the janitorial cleaning products will be Green-Seal approved and LEED certified. Central Stores also stocks and encourages the use of quality, recycled printer cartridges. All used cartridges are collected and returned to cartridge suppliers to be recycled. Office Depot, Central Stores' office supplies vendor, encourages and emphasizes the purchase and use of recycled products by offering WWU competitive pricing on recycled goods. Besides products, Central Stores is also working towards consolidating delivery services to end-users and centralizing vendor deliveries to campus in an effort to reduce traffic and increase pedestrian safety at WWU.
Coordinator: John Zuzarte, John.Zuzarte@wwu.edu, (360) 650-2678
LEAD (Learning, Environment, Action, Discovery)
Linking Western Washington University, Whatcom County schools, environmental organizations and government agencies to encourage community-based environmental restoration education and service-learning for the benefit of our community.
Website: http://www.wwu.edu/lead/
Group Contact: lead@wwu.edu, (360) 650-2133
Office of Sustainability
From our commitment to green energy and waste reduction to WWU's sustainability committee and sustainability-minded courses, WWU incorporates sustainability into many areas of campus operations and academics. The WWU Office of Sustainability is dedicated to furthering Western's strategic goal of campus sustainability. As defined by the WWU Sustainability Committee, a sustainable WWU: (1) Protects local and global ecology, (2) Upholds social equity, (3) Creates economic vitality, and (4) Maintains human health.
Website: http://www.wwu.edu/sustain/
Coordinator: Seth Vidaña, Seth.Vidana@wwu.edu, (360) 650-2491
Group Contact: sustain@wwu.edu
Special Assistant: George Pierce, George.Pierce@wwu.edu
Outback Farm
To promote harmonious living in the community and environment through experiential education, service learning, and celebration. Mission Statement: The Outback is a joint program of Fairhaven College and the Associated Students of Western Washington University. Founded in 1972, the Outback Farm is a five acre student-run site at the south end of Fairhaven College which teaches, develops and implements sustainable growing and land use methods in order to enrich the student body, the University, and the Bellingham community.
Website: http://www.wwu.edu/fairhaven/studentlife/outback/
Coordinator: Nick Spring, as.outback@wwu.edu
Group Contact: outbackgardens@gmail.com
Assitant Coordinator: Mara Lawrence, as.outback.assistant@wwu.edu
Other: Emily Brodie, emilygracebrodie@gmail.com
ResRAP
Led by Office of Sustainability staff and residence halls' Eco-Reps, the foremost goal of ResRAP is to involve residents in creating a sustainable living on campus. Small everyday actions have a collective, noticeable impact and serve as examples to other members of campus.
Website: http://www.wwu.edu/sustain/resrap/
Coordinator: ResRAP@wwu.edu, (360)-650-2011
Assitant Coordinator: ResRAPAsst@wwu.edu, (360)-650-4585
Sacred Earth
This club focuses on creating an inclusive yet convicting space for dialog about environmental and spiritual sustainability. Unsustainable lifestyles not only affect the planet but the people that inhabit it. We seek to raise awareness about how our lifestyles impact our quality of life, the richness of our communities and the lives of our brothers and sisters across the globe. We strive to equip and encourage communities of people to adopt and act on a spiritually-oriented social justice perspective of the environmental movement.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108964882479702
Coordinator: Amy Edwards, aredwards24@yahoo.com
Other: Sara Seitz, s.j.seitz@gmail.com
Sodexo, Sustainable Foods Coordinator
University Dining Services is committed to socially responsible practices that support farming communities, preserve the environment and promote your well-being. This includes strict purchasing standards, innovative programs, and outreach to sustainable growers and distributors.
Website: http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSW/WesternWashington/Sustainability/
Coordinator: Emmett Codd, codde@students.wwu.edu
Students for Carbon Pricing (SCP)
The purpose of this club is to work towards placing an initiative on the statewide ballot in 2012 that would implement a tax on carbon in the state of Washington. Implementation of such a tax would be a major step forward in the fight against climate change.
Coordinator: Remy Levin, scpwwu@gmail.com
Students for Renewable Energy (SRE)
Our mission is to bring sustainable energy to Western's campus through education, conservation, energy construction projects and conscious energy selection.
Website: http://www.westernsre.org/ | http://westernsre.wikispaces.com/
Coordinator: Hilary McGowan, h.mcgowan55@gmail.com, (206) 973-9682
Group Contact: sre.wwu@gmail.com or info@westernsre.org
Other: Jason Austin (VP of Publicity and Education for SRE), austinj4@students.wwu.edu
Erika Redzinak, erikared06@hotmail.com
Neil Baunsgard, neilbauns@hotmail.com
Students for Sustainable and Edible Landscape (SSEL)
To educate and raise awareness about edible and sustainable landscaping. Also, to provide a place for students to collaborate and generate ideas for future sustainable and edible landscaping projects.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124308284257357
Coordinator: Emily Stokes, stokese2@students.wwu.edu
Other: Olivia Edwards, edwardo@students.wwu.edu
Lea Kaahaaina, kaahaal@students.wwu.edu
Students for Sustainable Food (SSF)
To facilitate a campus wide movement towards getting more nutritious choices, local foods and organic foods into all dining areas of the WWU campus. Provide students with an integrated, passionate education about the opportunities in sustainable food systems, agriculture and food security from the local to international level.
Website: http://ssf-wwu.wikispaces.com/
Coordinator: Alyson Simeone, simeona@students.wwu.edu
Other: Cate Cook, catec.cook@gmail.com
Caley DeVries, caley.devries@comcast.net
Mirabai Troll, mirabaitroll@gmail.com
Brita Mjos, mjosb@students.wwu.edu
Emily Brodie, emilygracebrodie@gmail.com
Patricia Robinson, robinsp4@students.wwu.edu
Students for Sustainable Water (SSW)
This club provides the opportunity for students to have a place to come together to focus on sustainable drinking water options.
Coordinator: Julia Shure, shurej@students.wwu.edu
Other: Julia McLean, mcleanj2@students.wwu.edu
Surf Rider
A non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the world's waves and beaches through conservation, activism, education and research.
Website: http://www.surfrider.org/nws
Coordinator: Skyler Mavor, armadaskier175@gmail.com, (406) 579-9510
Group Contact: surfrider.wwu@gmail.com
Sustainable Connections
To be the local forum where businesses come together to transform and model an economy built on sustainable practices. We work with local, independently owned businesses that have the autonomy to make any transformational change in their business that they can imagine… reexamining where we buy goods and services, how we consume energy, grow and distribute our food, build homes, and even, how we define success in business. Sustainable Connections is supporting a community of innovators in green building, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, supporting independent businesses in town centers, and mentoring a new breed of entrepreneurs that have designed their business with a sustainable vision.
Website: http://sustainableconnections.org/
Location: Creekside Building 1701 Ellis St. Suite 221, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 647-7093
Sustainable Transportation Club
To both educate students about transportation demand management (TDM) and to have students educate and inform us about transit modes they use currently. Forums and focus groups will be our way of achieving this.
Coordinator: Jesse Jarosz
Phone: (360) 820-1650 | E-mail: jaroszj@cc.wwu.edu
USGBC: U.S. Green Building Council's Cascadia Chapter
Bellingham Emerging Green Builders is our local student committee of the US Green Building Council's Cascadia chapter Emerging Green Builders group. It is the Bellingham EGB's intent to educate and promote awareness of the Green building movement and specifically the current industry standard for Green building, the LEED rating system. We will do this by integrating students and young professionals and providing a supportive opportunity for development through our involvement with the USGBC and our local chapter network at the Cascadia office located in Seattle. An Emerging Green Builder is an individual in school or within five years of graduation. This club is open to anyone interested in becoming more involved in Green building from any discipline of study or practice. Meets: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 6:00 PM in ESCI 318.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=160638120618799
Coordinator: Justin Sant, justinwsant@gmail.com
Group Contact: bellinghamegb@gmail.com
Western Animal Rights Network (WARN)
WARN is a student run group of Western Washington University. WARN strives to end all animal cruelty and exploitation through education, outreach and lobbying. All are welcome; we have no requirements for membership.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7576521194
Group Contact: wwuwarn@gmail.com
WWU Neotribalism Club (WNC)
To connect individuals and groups with the opportunity to learn, build, and participate in communal living lifestyles that strive towards sustainable, diverse, and holistic practices.
Coordinator: Rhys Faler, rhys@wwu.neotribalism.net
Assistant Coordinator: Stepha Lawson
Other: Jacquie Braden (Financial Officer), jackie@wwu.neotribalism.net
Chelsea Thaw, chelsea.thaw@gmail.com
WWU Hybrid Team
This club is to get students more involved with the automotive program here at Western and for the program to continue to be one of the top programs in the nation. We will be working on two cars that were built here at Western by students, to improve on them throughout the year.
Website: http://vri.etec.wwu.edu/
Coordinator: Kate Stenson, stensok@cc.wwu.edu, (206) 299-9017