Sustainability conference a success at WWU

The first annual Washington Higher Education Sustainability Conference was held Thursday and Friday, Feb. 6 and 7, at Western Washington University.

More than 500 attendees from 38 state institutions visited the Western campus for the event.

Featuring a diverse range of speakers from throughout Washington state, the conference explored how those in higher education could enhance sustainability at their institutions and looked at ways to build leadership capacity. The conference also highlighted the role of colleges and universities in driving advancement on environmental issues and building sustainable communities in the Pacific Northwest.

Paul Dunn, senior executive assistant to the president at Western Washington University, moderated a conference-ending sustainability panel with Bruce Shepard, president of WWU; Tom Keegan , president of Skagit Valley College; Kathi Hiyane-Brown, president of Whatcom Community College; Les Purce, president of The Evergreen State College; and David Mitchell, president of Olympic Community College.

Western Today staff
More than 500 attendees from 38 state institutions visited the Western campus for the first annual Washington Higher Education Sustainability conference, held in various rooms in the Viking Union and Western Libraries. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
Paul Dunn, senior executive assistant to the president at Western Washington University, moderated a conference-ending sustainability panel with Bruce Shepard, president of WWU; Tom Keegan , president of Skagit Valley College; Kathi Hiyane-Brown, presiden
The final session of the conference included a discussion with the presidents of several institutions of higher education in Washington state. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
The final session of the conference included a discussion with the presidents of several institutions of higher education in Washington state. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
The final session of the conference included a discussion with the presidents of several institutions of higher education in Washington state. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
The final session of the conference included a discussion with the presidents of several institutions of higher education in Washington state. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
The final session of the conference included a discussion with the presidents of several institutions of higher education in Washington state. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
Bainbridge Graduate Institute President Gifford Pinchot presents at a breakout session during the Washington Higher Education Sustainability Conference at Western Washington University, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
Olympic College geography instructor Susan Digby presents at a breakout session during the Washington Higher Education Sustainability Conference at Western Washington University, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
Scott Morgan, director of sustainability at Evergreen State College, speaks during a breakout session at the Washington Higher Education Sustainability Conference at Western Washington University, Friday Feb. 7, 2014. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
Susan Digby, a geography instructor at Olympic College, shows a light-up plastic toy frog found during beach cleanup programs in the Salish Sea area during a breakout session at the Washington Higher Education Sustainability Conference at Western Washingt
More than 500 attendees from 38 state institutions visited the Western campus for the first annual Washington Higher Education Sustainability conference, held in various rooms in the Viking Union and Western Libraries. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
Audience members are encouraged to write a suggestion for environmental discussion topics they’d like to see on sticky notes during a breakout session at the Washington Higher Education Sustainability Conference at Western Washington University, Friday Fe
More than 500 attendees from 38 state institutions visited the Western campus for the first annual Washington Higher Education Sustainability conference, held in various rooms in the Viking Union and Western Libraries. Photo by Rhys Logan / WWU
Kendra Krantz, residence resource awareness coordinator for Western’s Office of Sustainability, speaks at a breakout session during the Washington Higher Education Sustainability Conference at Western Washington University on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. Photo b