Huxley to bring Jeff Giesen and Susan Horst to campus

May 30, 2012

Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment will host a pair of speakers in the upcoming week as a part of its Environment Speaker Series; both presentations are free and open to the public.

Jeff Giesen, acting executive director of the North Cascades Institute, will present “Conserving and Restoring Northwest Environments Through Education" at noon on Wednesday, May 30, in CF 125 on the Western campus.

The North Cascades Institute seeks to inspire closer relationships with nature through direct experiences in the natural world. Since 1986 they have helped connect people, nature, and community through science, art, literature, and hands-on study of natural and cultural history. In 2005, NCI opened the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, in partnership with the National Park Service and the City of Seattle. NCI's programs support four themes:

  • Convergence of natural and cultural history, science, humanities, and the arts
  • Human history is integral to the history of landscapes and wild lands
  • Respect among individuals and the broader community
  • Exploration, reflection, and stewardship in the out-of-doors

NCI's goal is to help people of all ages experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people, and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest so all will care for and protect this special place.

In the second presentation, Susan Horst, the Smart Trips program manager at the Whatcom Council of Governments, will present “The Surprising Story of Travel Behavior in Bellingham, Washington" at noon on Friday, June 1 in AW 304 on the Western campus.

Many transportation professionals, elected leaders, and community members would like to create a more sustainable transportation system in Bellingham, one where more trips are made by walking, bicycling and riding transit and fewer trips are made in vehicles. The people involved in this work need to know:

  • What strategies would be most cost-effective?
  • What is our starting point?
  • How will we measure our success?
  • Are there areas of the city where we should focus our efforts?
  • Are there groups of people who are more willing or able to shift their vehicle trips to other modes?

Horst will engage the audience in a discussion of what makes us change our transportation behavior.

For more information, please contact the main office of Huxley College of the Environment, at (360) 650-3520.

Western’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized national leader in producing the next generation of environmental stewards. The College’s academic programs reflect a broad view of the physical, biological, social and cultural world. This innovative and interdisciplinary approach makes Huxley unique. The College has earned international recognition for the quality of its programs.