The staff of the College of the Environment’s dean’s office are inspired by the work in the College and across campus to understand and address the environmental challenges of our time. This past year, following sustainability efforts of many students, faculty, and staff in the college and beyond, the dean’s office worked with the Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Office to identify and align our practices and policies with the goals of sustainable resource use. 

  This past October, after a year of planning and preparation, the Mount Rainier Institute successfully conducted its first two pilot programs down at Pack Forest! The idea first germinated with Professor Greg Ettl and the National Park Service several years ago. Since those early meetings, one of the driving forces behind the program has been John Hayes, environmental education program manager at Pack Forest. 

This quarter, Program on Environment’s Sustainability Studio students partnered with University of Washington Husky Athletics Green Team members, and with representatives from the Green Sports Alliance, UW Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Office, and UW Recycling, to assess existing practices and identify opportunities for sustainability improvements in UW sports. The teams developed and implemented four innovative projects to help ramp up Husky athletics sustainability efforts: Athlete Engagement in Locker Room Waste Diversion, Analysis of Local Food at Husky Stadium, Carbon Footprinting Offsetting of Game Day Travel, and Fan Outreach and Education via Social Media.