Sustainability awards winners announced
The Office of Sustainability, Western’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, the Associated Students Environmental & Sustainability Programs, Western Reads, and Western’s Administration hosted the third Western Sustainability Awards on Thursday, Oct. 22. The awards recognized the efforts of individuals and groups that make important contributions to sustainability efforts on and off campus.
This year’s winners:
Western Gallery & Paul Bower, received an Award in Academics for innovative work in replacing halogen lamps with energy-efficient LED lamps. By improving systems efficiency, the Western Gallery reduced its lighting energy use by 89% and saves an average of 7,998 kWh of electricity per year. This effort, projected to cost $80,000, was accomplished for under $4,000.
Facilities Management & the Puget Sound Energy Rebate Team, received an Award in Operations for their work to save energy in multiple campus buildings. Their inventive efforts to reduce heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls resulted in $246,000 in rebates, as well as $30,000 of net annual utility savings per year.
Climatefest & Jill Macintyre Witt, received an Award in Student Life for the planning and execution of Western’s first climate change conference, Climatefest, raising awareness to climate issues and inspiring others to take positive action for a stable climate. Over 300 people attended the conference. Speakers included a personal video message from former Vice President Al Gore.
Soap for Hope & Kim Masser, received an Award in Community Partnership for reducing waste and enhancing human health and dignity. Through her program, “Soap for Hope”, Kim collects and consolidates partially used containers of laundry soap and personal care items to redistribute to nonprofit organizations.
The Northwest Indian College Foodscaping Team, received an Award in Local Initiatives for creating a campus organic garden that produces traditional foods for the Lummi Nation. This garden provides a daily reminder of sustainability principles and Lummi cultural knowledge and values to students, staff, and faculty.
This year’s keynote speaker was Courtney Martin, author of the Western Reads Book of the Year, “Do It Anyway: The New Generation of Activists”. Courtney consults with social justice organizations throughout the nation, including the Ms. Foundation for Women, the National Council for Research on Women, and the Bartos Institute for the Constructive Engagement of Conflict.
The concept and practice of sustainability is part of the mission statement and strategic plan of WWU, and is exemplified in academics, student life, operations, and connection to the greater community. Western is recognized for its campus-wide efforts through national rankings such as AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking and Rating System, the Aspen Institute's Beyond Grey Pinstripes, and the EPA's Green Power Partnership.
The WWU Office of Sustainability is Western’s hub for campus sustainability and is dedicated to helping WWU achieve its strategic goal of campus sustainability by integrating sustainability into operations, academics, and research.
