Continuing Education
Public Education Opportunities
Local Programming
Serving Intergenerational Audiences
Aligned with Western Washington University’s strategic goals around supporting student success with statewide impact, we are building inclusive access to WWU programs and degree paths for people living in the rural mountain towns of the Methow and Okanogan Valleys. Sustainability Pathways hosts public events and classes, offers a post-college Community Resilience fellowship, and supports sustainability program development in local high schools that extends education and career development opportunities for rural youth and teachers.
Extended Pathways for Local Youth
Local Opportunities
Methow Valley School District
College in High School
Methow Valley School District offers two sustainability-oriented WWU courses as dual credit which provide students with the opportunity to earn high school and college credit at the same time. These Environmental Science and Sustainability & Society courses provide inclusive access to WWU programs.
Sustainability Youth Corps
Summer Program
Students from the Methow Valley School District (MVSD) can participate in the Sustainability Youth Corps, where they spend the summer in the field learning and applying sustainability-related job skills. The Corps is led by an undergraduate fellow with the support of two MVSD teachers. They learn ecological restoration methods, gain technical field science and trail building skills, and acquire leadership and team building skills transferable to a wide range of green-economy careers.
Community Resilience Fellowship
A Post College Opportunity
Bridging College to Career
Building Resilience Through Service
A program that provides professional experience that supports young people in accessing green-economy career pathways. Fellows are provided with professional development learning experiences through local organizational partners while also supporting more sustained climate and sustainability project capacity in rural communities. The partners represent a range of sustainability sectors, including energy, planning, and ecological restoration. Fellowships range from two to six months and include a living stipend and learning sessions for the cohort.
Opportunities for Lifelong Learning
Public Classes and Events
Intergenerational Learning
Creating Access to Education
Lifelong learning classes offered to the public and facilitated in partnership with North Central WA Libraries Winthrop Branch, Methow at Home, and Friends of the Winthrop Library. Classes offer opportunities to connect with neighbors and share learning in topics related to resilience. Offerings have included weekly and bi-monthly sessions and create access to existing programs being offered via WWU and other regional partners.
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