In Our Nature

ENVIR 495 C: Socio-Environmental Data Analysis Workshop is open to Juniors, Seniors and Graduate Students in all majors.

• Do you want to tell a convincing story with your data? Are you interested in exploring methods for data interpretation and visualization? This course will teach students to explore methods for analyzing quantitative and qualitative data on environmental topics.
• Analyze socio-environmental data in this practical application workshop course. Students will gain hands-on experience through working on their own research...

ENVIR 480: Sustainability Studio class is open to all majors and has no prerequisite courses. This quarters topic is greening health at UW.

In this course:

• Understand what it takes to green the healthcare industry. The healthcare industry contributes to a large environmental footprint regarding its facilities and operations. What are the cost constraints and how can we move the dial on reducing the footprint of hospitals and healthcare facilities
• How can UW Health become more environmentally conscious? In winter quarter,...

ENVIR 495 A: Crimes against Nature is open to Juniors, Seniors and Graduate Students in all majors. 

In this course you will explore the questions:

• Why are some human activities that harm nature considered criminal acts, while others are not? Students will consider various forms of environmental crimes, from toxic waste disposal to destruction of public natural resources to poaching, and explore how cases are pursued.
• Do people behave differently in the face of criminal penalties? Learn the basics of the U.S. criminal law...

On Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending a lecture as part of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series from the College of Built Environments. The speaker was world renowned architect James Cheng, who has helped to shape the skyine of Vancouver, B.C., and the outlying areas. Cheng takes a humanized approach to architecture, often asking how people will interact in spaces, which in my opinion is part of what makes him such an incredible and influential designer and has enabled him to impact...

A group of UW faculty is considering a university-community applied research and teaching program called Sustainable City Year. It originated at the U of Oregon and now many universities, including WWU, are running similar programs. The program pairs a city and a university with a budget of $200-300K each year paid by the partner city. The university then utilizes multiple classes across the university to serve and advise the city.

The Department of Urban Design and Planning, with the College of Built Environments, and UW Sustainability have...

During Winter Quarter 2016, many offices have achieved Green Office certification by going above and beyond the criteria on the Green Office application. The following are just a few of the cool innovations found in Green Offices across campus:

• Office of Research (Gold): This office promotes environmentally-focused charities for the UW Combined Fund Drive and switched from paper to electronic versions of reports to campus. By promoting certain charities, the Office of Research is able to help others solve important environmental issues.
• ...

The UW student chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration’s (SER-UW) native plant nursery is located on campus at the Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH). It is a student run operation that provides plants to the on-campus restoration projects that SER-UW manages. This year, with the support of a Campus Sustainability Fund grant, the nursery is expanding by building a new hoop house, growing more plants from seed and cuttings, and increasing its opportunities for volunteer involvement.

The...

ENVIR 502: Business Strategy and the Natural Environment provides students an opportunity to explore the ideas of sustainable business. The course is open to Graduate Students and Undergraduate Juniors and Seniors from all majors with permission from the instructor. Email enviradv@uw.edu for permission.

The course will discuss the question: "How can a business be financially successful while lessening its impact on the environment and society?" Learn the essential functions for a business to achieve sustainability and analyze different...

Ever wondered which food suppliers at UW Medical Center's Plaza Cafe might provide local, organic, and sustainable products? Come and see the new poster located at the main entrance of the cafe to help you learn more.

UWMC's Technology and Wellness Manager Charlotte Furman worked with a UWMC intern, as well as interns and staff at UW Sustainability, to develop a big picture look. The 3' x 4' poster, mounted on the wall at the main café entrance, displays information about Plaza Café food vendors, with pictures and color coding denoting local, organic and sustainable suppliers.

Meet the new EcoReps Outreach & Communication Coordinator, Zan Roman!

Zan is a junior pursuing a Degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management at the UW. Born and raised in Bellingham, he enjoys any sport involving a ball, exploring the PNW, writing, and drawing.

In 2014, he walked from Seattle to Times Square in New York City, raising over $10,000 for Autism research and Uncompensated Care for Seattle Children’s Hospital. Zan plans to pursue a career in sustainable management of environmental resources, and will continue to embark on adventures and explore the...