Sustainability is more than recycling: how the SEI is working toward systems-change
Western's Sustainability Engagement Institute (SEI) develops educational opportunities and systems-change for a more sustainable, just future. Among its many responsibilities, the institute facilitates implementation of the University’s Sustainability Action Plan, hosts several academic programs, administers the Sustainability, Equity, & Justice Fund.
Collectively, we’ll describe how we support sustainability initiatives on campus. Grace will introduce the Institute’s history and mission (broad overview) and talk about curricular opportunities. Lindsey will describe several co-curricular programs (Pathways, SDG forums, SEJF), and Kate will discuss the Sustainability Action Plan, and ways the university is engaging stakeholders.
Ultimately, sustainability is more than just the environment. We view it as having four pillars: economic vitality, environmental protection, social justice, and well-being. We hold the University to its sustainability goals.
About the Speaker
Grace Wang is the Director of the Sustainability Engagement Institute and Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy, with a focus on natural resource policy.
Lindsey MacDonald is the Associate Director, which means you might find her teaching campus sustainability and sustainability leadership courses, administering the climate leadership certificate program, facilitating engagement opportunities around the community, or supporting a great staff team to advance sustainability across campus and into the community. Prior to her work at Western, she worked on campus farms and coordinated a practice-oriented environmental education master’s degree program. Her research has been focused on sustainability leadership and campus farms. She has a master’s degree in conservation ecology from the University of Michigan.
Kate Beck is the Sustainability Action Plan Implementation Manager. Kate coordinates the implementation of Western's Sustainability Action Plan, reports on Western's sustainability progress, brings people together to work towards Western's sustainability goals. Prior to working at Western, Kate worked as a regional planner and policy researcher in public utilities and transportation. Kate has a Masters in City Planning and Masters in Public Health from UC Berkeley.
Environmental Speaker Series
The Environmental Speaker Series is hosted by the College of the Environment at Western Washington University.
The Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30 pm in Academic Instructional Center West room 204 - AW-204. Talks will also be streamed via Zoom. Register with The Foundation for WWU & Alumni for the zoom link. Parking is available in lot C.