aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

WWU’s Sustainability Pathways receives $205,000 grant, partners with Washington Climate Corps Network

by Joshua Porter

WWU Sustainability Pathways program

The 2024 Sustainability Pathways fellows gathered outside their classroom in the community room at the public library in Winthrop earlier this year. The students created a short video about their fellowships to contribute to the WCCN grant application.

Sustainability Pathways has been awarded a $205,000 grant from the Washington Climate Corps Network (WCCN). The interdisciplinary program engages rural youth, undergraduate students, and young adults with opportunities to work in climate resiliency and sustainability in the Methow and Okanogan Valleys.

Based in Twisp, Sustainability Pathways is housed within Western’s College of the Environment and works closely with Western’s Sustainability Engagement Institute. The program is open to undergraduates in all majors. By partnering with over 40 local and regional organizations across sustainability sectors, including public health, planning, economic development, ecological quality, youth advocacy, education, energy, and food systems, the program provides pathways into green economy careers while advancing climate and sustainability work.

“Sustainability Pathways helps partner organizations advance sustainability projects while providing practical work opportunities and aligned coursework for undergraduate students,” said Joshua Porter, director of Sustainability Pathways. “The program also supports sustainability program development in area high schools, extending education and career-development opportunities for rural youth in a region now increasingly being served by a university.”

Matt Glazewski, director of the Washington Climate Corps Network, Uzma Ahmad, WWU President Sabah Randhawa, Sustainability Pathways director Joshua Porter, and College of the Environment Dean Teena Gabrielson. WWU photo by Kerry Godes.

The WCCN grant will support three levels of programming that advance sustainability while expanding educational and career opportunities for youth. The grant will support placements in the Methow Valley School District’s Sustainability Youth Corps. It will fund Methow-based Western undergraduates working towards a Climate Leadership Certificate. It will also enable Sustainability Pathways to launch a new 7-month Community Resilience fellowship program, building towards year-round WWU programming in the Methow Valley.

“Sustainability Pathways is a unique program that roots student education, empowerment, and belonging in real community needs and projects that advance sustainability initiatives,” said Teena Gabrielson, dean of Western’s College of the Environment. “This grant will allow us to expand our reach to include more students and more organizations.”

WCCN, administered by Serve Washington, supports enterprising service projects, community partnerships, and service-learning programs to build low-carbon and climate-resilient communities, ecosystems, and economies.

“The WCCN is thrilled to formalize our relationship with the WWU Sustainability Pathways Program,” said Matt Glazewski, director of WCCN. “The success of this program is a success for all Washingtonians and is a blueprint for similar efforts across the state.”

Applications for the Sustainability Pathways summer 2025 6th cohort of undergraduate students will be open from Nov. 15 through Jan. 7, 2025.