Western Washington University
PAE-19: Community Sustainability Partnerships

Western maintains formal, long-term partnerships with Bellingham’s businesses, non-profits, City infrastructure, schools and neighborhoods in order to provide a wide range of opportunities for students and faculty to engage in both local and global studies, internship opportunities, and academic collaborations. Some of these partnerships include: • Whatcom Council of Governments, Whatcom Transportation Authority, and Western work together on programs such as Commute Trip Reduction and Smart Commuter to develop student and faculty incentives to access public transportation. • The Urban Transitions Studio is a partnership between Western, the City of Bellingham Department of Planning and Community Development, and Sustainable Connections. These organizations work together on concepts for new urbanism to help the community develop and integrate more sustainable urban infrastructure. • Western participated in the Opportunity Council’s Community Energy Challenge which included many large and medium employers in Bellingham. • Western partners with many local agricultural communities in Whatcom County and in the Pacific Northwest region to support sustainable foods practices. The university purchases organic and naturally grown produce from “Growing Washington,” dairy products from local farms, and other goods such as Baker’s Breakfast Cookies, Tony’s Coffee, and Rocket Donuts from local in-town businesses. • Western’s Campus Sustainability Planning Studio has partnered with a number of community partners such as: o St. Joseph’s hospital to develop a sustainable landscaping plan, a zero waste initiative, and a grant-funded study on alternative energy options. o “The Leopold,” a local retirement center in Bellingham, on an energy conservation program. o The Community Food Coop for research on tree-free home product options