The latest episode of The SustainUW Podcast miniseries, Sustainability Conversations Across the Big Ten, turns west to the University of Washington to explore how a large, multi-campus institution moves sustainability from planning to practice.
Hosts John Ernst and Ren Nickel spoke with Daimon Eklund, communications manager for the University of Washington Sustainability Office, and Emily Adams, project and engagement specialist, about the university’s evolving sustainability strategy. As the University of Washington reaches the end of its first five-year Sustainability Action Plan, leaders are working across its Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma campuses to shape the next phase of long-term goals while expanding opportunities for students to get involved.
One expression of that effort is Huskies for Equitable Sustainability (HuES), a student-centered initiative designed to move participation beyond discussion and into practice.
“We really struggled with scaling up our impact and not becoming too lecture-y,” Adams said, describing how the program is shifting toward “shovel-ready” projects that allow students to dive in and do meaningful work.
The episode then shifts back to UW–Madison, where University Housing sustainability coordinator Malorie Garbe and undergraduate sustainability assistant Seri Sanchez reflect on how student engagement takes shape closer to home, through the everyday systems and experiences that define campus life.
From peer-led outreach to large-scale move-in and move-out operations, their work focuses on helping sustainability become part of how students experience living and learning on campus.
“It really sets the tone,” Garbe said. “This is just something we do here. We recycle and we manage our waste responsibly.”
The SustainUW Podcast is produced by undergraduate interns Evie Skibicki, John Ernst, Julia Fechner, Kate Scroggins, Nate Dancer, and Ren Nickel, with original theme music by Abhinay Reddy. You can listen to the full episode above, or wherever you get your podcasts.
In this episode
Huskies for Equitable Sustainability (HuES) • University of Washington Sustainability Office • UDub Sustainability Action Plan • UDub Green Building Standard • Campus Sustainability Fund • UDub Earth Week programming • Earth Fest • UW–Madison University Housing Sustainability • Resident Sustainability Ambassador (RSA) Program • Sustainable Move-In • Sustainable Move-Out • Badger Reclaim • Convocation Cookout • UW Zero Waste • Earth Day Lunch • UW Dining Farm • GreenHouse Learning Community • Open Seat Food Pantry