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Design Challenge | Sunday, March 1st 2020
12:00-6:00pm
During this event, experts will introduce participants to the human centered design process with the goal to rapidly develop a preliminary program or business idea focused on the theme of Reduce/Reuse. These solutions can be targeted for implementation on campus, online, or in the local community. Participants will work in small teams of at least two but not more than five people, from their own institutions (ideal team size is 3-4). Each group will use a human centered design process to workshop their idea and create a preliminary pitch deck they can use to present their work. Informational flier here >>

Teams are encouraged to:
- Think big, e.g., What-impacts-would-you-have-if-you-had-$100 million big.
- Come with a preliminary idea that could be implemented and/or sustained on your campus or community.
- Consider social justice as a foundational component of any solution.

By participating in this session you will gain:
- General knowledge of the human centered design process;
- Preliminary experience using a human centered design process to vision a programmatic or business solution to a real world problem;
- Collaboration and teamwork skills;
- Networking with like-minded peers.

Winning design ideas receive the cash sums listed below to support implementation of their design idea.
1st place: $500
2nd place: $300
3rd place: $200

Winners must follow-up with UO's Office of Sustainability within six months with an update on the implementation of the idea and how the funds have been spent.

Cost to attend? - $15 per person, register here.

Pre-Conference Tours | Monday, March 2nd 2020
Click the down arrow to register for a tour. Tours are available for WOHESC registered attendees only.
3:00-4:00pm
Headquartered in Eugene, OR, BHS is a worldwide leader in the innovative design, engineering, manufacturing and installation of sorting systems and components for the solid waste, recycling, waste-to-energy, and construction and demolition industries. Wholly-owned subsidiaries include Nihot (Amsterdam), NRT (Nashville, TN) and Zero Waste Energy (Lafayette, CA). BHS is also the home of Max-AI® technology, a breakthrough artificial intelligence that identifies materials, makes intelligent decisions and directs equipment such as robotic sorters. BHS has built some of the largest and most durable MRFs in the world - and they are achieving the highest throughput, recovery, and purity rates in the industry. Attendees of this tour will hear a 10 minute presentation on Bulk Handling Systems at the corporate offices and then do a tour of the engineering group and production facility. The tour guests will then need to drive themselves to the Danebo facility, where there will be a tour of the main BHS manufacturing facility.

Tour Start: Cooperate Office: 3592 West 5th Ave, Eugene Or 97402
Tour Finish: Danebo Production Facility: 460 North Danebo Building C, Eugene OR, 97402

Requirements: Attendees will need to provide their own transportation and wear close toes shoes.

FREE for registered WOHESC attendees - click here to register
Tour Leader: Ryan McGinnis | Manufacturing Operations Manager, Bulk Handling Systems
3:00-4:30pm
The University of Oregon is home to many labs where research on nano materials, the built environment, and photovoltaics may lead to important breakthroughs. Join a 90-minute tour of four prominent labs and hear directly from researchers about how their innovative ideas, tools, and methods are creating environmentally and socially sustainable outcomes.

- Stop 1: BioBE lab
- Stop 2: HiPE lab
- Stop 3: Solar Materials and Electro Chemistry Lab
- Stop 4: CAMCOR Lab

FREE for registered WOHESC attendees - click here to register
Tour Leader: Steve Mital | Director, Office of Sustainability, University of Oregon
3:00-5:00pm
Join us for a tour of Eugene's Mahonia Building which features an exterior made of reclaimed wood and metal from torn-down buildings and leftover materials from other construction projects. Staircases are made from cross-laminated timber, while hallway flooring was patch-worked from an old school gymnasium. Walls are insulated with straw bales, made with soil and clay from the building site and straw from an organic wheat farmer in Junction City. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Mahonia's zero waste systems, green energy practices, material reuse, local food, cargo bike delivery, mixed-use commercial tenants, daylighting, straw bale insulation and earth plaster, water reclamation and stormwater treatment, salmon safe landscaping and a relationship supportive of the built environment.

Ninkasi Brewing Company Tour & Tasting 4:20-5:00pm
Join us for a freshly brewed pint and a Sustainability Tour of Ninkasi Brewing Company and learn how 98% of all raw materials come from within 400 miles radius or less, how their green roof space helps reduce the urban heat island effect, while providing habitat for local fauna. See how they utilize solar panels to generate electricity for our 272 brew house. Other highlights include composting at all facilities, both employee and customer facing, learning about certain hop alternatives to reduce waste and increase beer yields and how Ninkasi donates all spent grain to a local cattle farmer and this farmer uses the spent grain as feed for his livestock.

This tour requires walking. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing for the weather.

Tour Leader: Charlie Tilt | CEO and Co-Owner, Mahonia Building
Tour Leader: Bryan Ward | Hospitality Director, Ninkasi Brewing
3:00-5:00pm
Learn how UO environmental and inclusion values are expressed in the built environment.

Join Campus Planning experts for a two-hour Walking Tour of the University of Oregon who will explain the Oregon Model for Sustainable Development and show how environmental and inclusion values are expressed in the built environment. Tour stops will include the recently completed Tykeson Hall, Black Cultural Center, Allan Price Science Commons, and the newly renovated Rec Center.

Tykeson Hall tour will be co-led by Greg Langdon, President and Lead Mechanical Engineer on Tykeson Hall, Project Architect Chris Andrejko and Design Architect Isaac Campbell, AIA from OFFICE 52 Architecture. Click here for more information about Tykeson Hall sustainability highlights!

FREE for registered WOHESC attendees - click here to register
Tour Leader: Aaron Olsen | Landscape Planning Associate, Campus Planning & Facilities Management, Unviersity of Oregon
Opening Night | Monday, March 2nd 2020
5:30-7:00pm
Opening Night Reception
Ford Alumni Center
1720 East 13th, Eugene, OR 97403
Day One | Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
EMU Ballroom Main Stage
Engagement
EMU 145 | Crater Lake South
Academics
EMU 231 + 232 | Cedar + Spruce
Operations & Facilities
EMU 214 | Redwood Auditorium
Student Leadership
EMU 146 | Crater Lake North
8:00am
Breakfast & Registration
8:00-9:00am
Design Challenge Pitchfest
9:00-9:05am
Welcome to WOHESC 2020
Steve Mital | Director, Office of Sustainability, University of Oregon
9:05-9:10am
Land Acknowledgement
Beyond territorial acknowledgments
Acknowledgement guide
9:10-9:25am
Opening Keynote
Introduction: Chris Linkous | Field Sales Manager, Greenworks Tools
Terry McDonald | Executive Director, St. Vincent DePaul Society of Lane County  
9:30-10:30am
Twenty years ago the number of people calling themselves sustainability professionals could be counted on one hand. Today they number in the thousands. What do sustainability professionals do? What have they achieved? Where is the field headed? How does one get or create a sustainability position? What educational backgrounds and skill-sets prepare them for their jobs? This plenary features senior sustainability professionals from the private sector, government, and higher education who will answer these questions about this new and evolving profession.
Introduction: Michael Colgrove | Executive Director, Energy Trust of Oregon
Moderator: Seth Vidaña | Director of Sustainability, Western Washington University
Michele Crim | Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Portland
Claudia Frere-Anderson | Director, University of Washington Sustainability
Kristen Connor | Senior Vice President & Community Impact Officer, Heritage Bank NW
10:30-11:00am
Networking and Coffee Break
11:00am-12:15pm
Indigenous communities are at the forefront of addressing climate change through mitigation, adaptation and resilience initiatives. In the Northwest, tribes are pro-actively identifying climate change risks and vulnerabilities and engaging in climate change adaptation planning and implementation. Many of these initiatives have been the result of tribal research partnerships with Universities and research institutions that engage native students in research, community development and academia. This session will explore efforts within the University of Oregon to engage native students in environmental and climate justice and to develop partnerships with indigenous communities in the region.
Moderator: Kathy Lynn | Researcher, Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon
Katie Staton | Steward, Many Nations Longhouse, University of Oregon
Haley Case-Scott | Resource Assistants Program Intern, USDA Forest Service  
Joe Scott | Lakwashti Tribal Arts and Education; Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; Curriculum Director, Long Tom Watershed Council's "TeamTEK"  
With the ongoing climate crisis, higher education institutions are looking for unique ways to solve climate justice issues. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) provide a blueprint to achieve a more sustainable future for all. By bringing the SDGs to the front of the conversation in the process for updating climate action plans, education frameworks, running campus events, and creating course content, various campus departments can address these climate justice challenges together. These goals provide an excellent framework to link together environmental and social justice practices across campus and ensure students, staff, and faculty understand their role as global citizens.

Sponsored by:


Introduction: Tom Robbins | Managing Princple, YGH Architecture
Elissa Gordon | Program Manager, Office of Sustainability, Bellevue College  
Rick Glover | Environmental Science Faculty, Lane Community College
Kim Smith | Sociology Instructor, Portland Community College  
Joao Vilca Soto | Student Club President, Cascadia College  
Stephan Classen | Assistant Director of Sustainable Practices, Cascadia College
This workshop will propose and vet the creation a statewide "sustainability literacy" requirement for Oregon and Washington community colleges and four-year universities, similar to existing requirements for cultural literacy or health and wellness. We will outline several paths towards a statewide requirement via the AAOT, DTA, and/or institutional articulation agreements, then open the floor for collaborative feedback and discussion. Our goal is to create a larger regional working group to continue this effort beyond WOHESC 2020.
Owen Murphy | Associate Professor, Health and Human Performance, Central Oregon Community College
Stephania Fregosi | Sustainability Analyst, Portland Community College
Margaret Robertson | Author and Instructor, Lane Community College
Heidi Sickert | Chair, Sustainability Practices for Academics and Resources Council (SPARC), Portland Community College
If your university is looking to become carbon neutral, food choices will play a large role. Shifting to healthier, sustainable, and fair "real" food is a commitment that can be inclusive, easy, and affordable and can satisfy all of your diners while helping your institution reduce its carbon footprint. This session will share case studies about SOU's "Real Food" Commitment, the Better Food Foundation's Default Veg program, which offers plant-based meals by default while providing diners a choice to add meat and/or dairy products upon request, and the Factory Farming Awareness Coalition's Sustainable Food Pledge, which WHOESC has pledged to uphold as a part of the conference's sustainability goals.
Ilana Braverman | Program Manager, Better Food Foundation  
Meghan Jones | Seattle Director, Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
Jill Smedstad | Environmental and Community Engagement Coordinator, Southern Oregon University  
Jamie Talarico | Student RFC Coordinator, Southern Oregon University
Explore the intersectionalities of sustainability and social justice with student leaders from Portland Community College and Western Washington University. This session will share information about PCC's Eco-Social Justice program including how they prioritize food justice, expand learning gardens, and integrate sustainability into purchasing contracts. WWU will also share details about the Sustainability Representatives Program and the work they are doing around equity and social justice. Come engage in a student-led sustainability panel to learn, share, and grow.
Em Jones | Student Body President Cascade Campus, Portland Community College
Riley Turner | Director of Eco-Social Justice, Portland Community College Cascade Campus
Felipe Gonzalez | Director of Sustainability, Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus
Kaden Carpenter | Director of Eco-Social Justice, Portland Community College Sylvania Campus
Taylor Lohrie | Eco-Social Justice Director, Portland Community College Southeast Campus
12:15-1:15pm
Lunch
12:15-3:15pm
Career Development Corner
1:15-2:30pm
Learn about three models for meaningful sustainability education in place at the University of Washington Program on the Environment. In large undergraduate Environmental Studies classes, students learn about sustainability and the many ways that humans are pushing earth beyond planetary boundaries. Like many UW classes, teaching this content includes giving "lectures", assigning readings, creating exams, and facilitating discussion, but much of the learning takes place beyond the classroom. Outside of class time, students are 1) engaged in local communities through service learning, 2) examining sustainability through personal activities where they modify their individual behaviors and 3) collaborating digitally with peers at institutions across the Pacific to understand the global context for sustainability. In all cases, students reflect on these experiences through writing, which they share online. Feedback on these courses suggest that students find these rich opportunities to engage deeply with the content meaningful and memorable.
Kristi Straus | Lecturer and Associate Director, Program on the Environment, University of Washington
Institutes of higher education are at the forefront in leading change through open discussions, collaboration, evidence-based approaches, and challenging the status quo. Join us for an important conversation on waste reduction and to learn how to take strides to support and advocate for the adoption of legislative policies that reduce our collective impacts associated to consumption and waste disposal. Learn more about reliable best practices for solid and hazardous waste in the region to reduce environmental impacts and learn how to engage with government agencies, non-profit organizations, private industry, and individual citizens to take action and support our sustainability goals.
Brandon Lesowske | Waste Management Coordinator, Portland State University - Campus Sustainability Office  
Minal Mistry | Business Initiatives Lead, Oregon DEQ
Alex Thomas | Student, Gonzaga
While land-based, on-campus gardening and agricultural education programs are well established on many campuses, Zero Acreage Farming (also known as Controlled Environment Agriculture) and aquaponics are a relatively new, but growing phenomena in higher education. Join us to learn the benefits of these indoor farming techniques that use substantially less water, land and labor than traditional agriculture. University of Oregon and Seattle University will both share case studies that demonstrate a range of possible applications for how these systems could be used on your campus or by partner organizations to produce food and serve as an educational tool on sustainable agriculture.
Briana Meier | Doctoral Candidate, Environmental Sciences, Studies, and Policy, University of Oregon
Sarah Stapleton | Assistant Professor of Education Studies, University of Oregon
Phillip Thompson | Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seattle University  
The climate crisis demands we de-carbonize the world's energy supply as quickly as possible. But replacing fossil fuels with reliable, carbon-free alternatives is a major challenge with a range of tradeoffs and accompanying downsides. Nuclear power could fill the void, but can we accept the risks? This debate is contentious and expanding, as impacts from climate change are now felt in more parts of the globe. This session features two leading national experts, one on each side of the nuclear question, plus a local expert on distributed, small-scale nuclear power options. Attendees will gain an up-to-date understanding of nuclear technology, the challenges of integrating nuclear into a de-carbonization plan, and the larger, long term challenge to de-carbonize without nuclear power.
Colin Sexton | Engineer, NuScale  
Jesse Jenkins | Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University
Daniel Kammen | Distinguished Professor of Energy, University of California, Berkeley  
This panel profiles three student narratives detailing aspects from academic and professional experiences developing an integrative health skill set and practice. Student panelists frame their discussion through examples of community building in the realm of holistic health with a specific commitment to the evolution and application of sustainable practices and principles. Faculty moderators will place these stories in the context of curriculum and community involvement as exists within the mission of the American College of Healthcare Sciences Business Department. The American College of Healthcare Sciences Business Department fosters a holistic, integrative approach to business in support of more sustainable practices for entrepreneurs and also those in large, multinational, public, private, and nonprofit corporations. The panel will offer takeaways on how a business curriculum can prepare students to recognize and make decisions based upon the interconnectedness that exists between organizational actions and the financial, environmental, and social well-being of our complex and dynamic global society.
Moderator: Hill Taylor | Chief Academic Officer (Academic Dean), American College of Healthcare Sciences
Moderator: Susan Marcus | Dean of Business, American College of Healthcare Sciences
Crystal Duey | Student, American College of Healthcare Sciences
Jessica Goss | Student, American College of Healthcare Sciences
Lindsay Little | Student, American College of Healthcare Sciences
2:30-2:45pm
Break
2:45-4:00pm
This presentation will highlight why equity in climate action and sustainability planning is important at Portland Community College and give examples of how equity has been incorporated into these planning processes, drawing from our own experience and others. With a focus on the college's current process and sharing resources that have helped and inspired us in the process, we hope to encourage critical reflection and dialogue. After a presentation, we'll break out into small groups where participants can share their experiences and finish by developing personalized mini action plans. All experience levels are welcome, though participants may want to come prepared with some regional knowledge of equity issues and a reflection on current planning processes within their programs as it relates to equity.
Stephania Fregosi | Sustainability Analyst, Portland Community College
Briar Schoon | Sustainability Manager, Portland Community College
Resource: Equity Panel Recommendations (English)
Resource: Equity Panel Recommendations (Spanish)
Resource: Case Study
The issue of food security is at the heart of student life sustainability. Without sustaining this basic need, students cannot be fully successful. This session will discuss the University of Oregon's approach to meeting food security needs by focusing on low-cost, high-reward, and easily replicable programming, drawing partners from all over campus and the community for discussions on this issue, and how this work has expanded the operating definition of "sustainability" at UO. It will also share a case study from Western Oregon University's student-led university food pantry and their approach to fighting food insecurity on campus and in the community to give you insights on how your can address food insecurity at your own institution.
Dr. Taylor McHolm | Program Director, Student Sustainability Center, University of Oregon  
Alice Morrison | Food Security Coordinator, Student Sustainability Center, University of Oregon
Rachel Bayly | Food Pantry Community Outreach Coordinator, Western Oregon University  
Josh Salsbury | Food Pantry Campus Outreach Coordinator, Western Oregon University
Lisette Cervantes Almonte | Food Pantry Supervisor, Western Oregon University
Place-based experiential learning is a pedagogical "best practice" for sustainability education, but online courses and large enrollment in-person classes can be challenging environments to incorporate this learning strategy. Having worked with 4,000+ students to contribute over 15,000 hours of service, our panel will focus on the achievements and challenges we have encountered offering service-learning projects in both these environments. Additionally, we will discuss strategies and aspirations relating to the creation of just and long-term relationships with community partners.
Deanna Lloyd | Instructor, Oregon State University
Jen Myers | Instructor, Sustainability Double Degree Program, Oregon State University
Kim Townsend | Instructor, Oregon State University
Erica Elliott | Sustainability Advisor, Oregon State University
Understanding options for increasing renewable energy use at higher education institutions can be complex. Campus carbon neutrality goals and climate commitments can be met in a number of ways including utilizing carbon neutral and renewable energy sources. This session will discuss some of the ways solar energy projects, campus - utility partnerships, and value-based assessments can be strategies for overcoming upfront financing costs and upholding a commitment to clean energy.

Sponsored by:

Introduction: Jon Kloor | Community Affairs Manager, NW Natural
Vincent Smith | Associate Professor and Chair, Environmental Science & Policy, Southern Oregon University
Seth Vidaña | Director of Sustainability, Western Washington University
Emily Quinton | Sustainability Education and Outreach Coordinator, Portland State University
Empowering students to lead in their communities is an effective strategy for positive change. Student sustainability leaders at the University of Oregon's Net Impact and Student Sustainability Center are collaborating with stakeholders in the university community to create a diverse and welcoming workspace that is representative of everyone they serve. Student groups and student-led programs are great environments for the discovery of new initiatives and to foster the development of our peers into better leaders. The goal of this panel is to have an open discussion about the role of students in sustainability initiatives and identify new opportunities for student-led engagements. Panelists will share how different programs work in tandem with each other to reach a variety of students and how the different backgrounds and interests of staff work together to provide the perspectives necessary for creating an environmentally and socially just campus.
Jaron Malcom | Undergraduate Student President, Net Impact, University of Oregon
Zaida Hatfield | Cultural Sustainability Coordinator, Student Sustainability Center, University of Oregon
Julia Olson | Waste Reduction Reusables Coordinator, Student Sustainability Center, University of Oregon
Jim Wynne | Events and Restoration Coordinator, Student Sustainability Center, University of Oregon
Brendan Adamczyk | Student Sustainability Network Chair, Student Sustainability Center, University of Oregon
4:00-4:15pm
Break
4:15-5:15pm
Climate change, global warming, the climate crisis, the climate emergency! - Whatever you call it, it is the existential threat of our time. During this special plenary session, four diverse writers will talk about their approaches to writing about the climate crisis in their varied disciplines. The panelists include investigative journalist McKenzie Funk; geographer, glaciologist, and National Geographic Explorer M. Jackson; memoirist and nature writer Rebecca Lawton, and novelist and journalist Omar El Akkad. This panel will explore the question: What role does writing play in how we understand, record, and work to solve the climate crisis?
Moderator: Dr. Sarah Stoeckl | Program Manager, Office of Sustainability, University of Oregon
McKenzie Funk | Journalist and Author, Windfall: The Booming Business of Global Warming
Omar El Akkad | Author, American War
Rebecca Lawton | Author, Scientist and Executive Director, PLAYA Summer Lake
Dr. M Jackson | Author, The Secret Lives of Glaciers
5:15-5:30pm
Juliana v. United States Update  
Alex Loznak | Youth Climate Activist, Our Children's Trust; Plaintiff, Juliana v. United States
5:30-5:45pm
Mind the Gap | UO A Cappella
5:30-6:30pm
Networking Reception
Exhibitor Passport drawing at 6pm. Must be present to win one of the following:
- Aroma Therapy Gift Basket provided by American College of Healthcare Sciences
- GB500 handheld blower w/ 2-2.5ah batteries and a rapid charger provided by Greenworks Tools
- 3 free online courses on Social Intrapreneurship provided by the League of Intrapreneurs
5:30-6:30pm
Learner power! Sustainable U; Sharing Tips on Learning about Academic Learning
Camille Nava | Founder, Nava Collective, and Student Fellow of Institute for Sustainable Solutions, Portland State University, B.S. Science and University Honors Program
A student's key sustainability includes their navigation of how to learn academically. This poster session brings light to what learners are actually asked to do academically. It provides some tools and contexts for the learner, from the toolbox used to create assignments and shape classes; this session encourages vigorous dialogue and sharing. Sharing of these insights is an often-missing piece of education justice, a piece which can support resiliency in students, academic sustainability, and in turn help shape and strengthen communities and interrupt inequities.
Resources:     

Recycling 101 - Sustainability Certification
Sarah Grimm | Waste Reduction Specialist, Lane County Oregon Public Works - Waste Management Division
Gain insight into Recycling 101, an online course allows users to gain an in-depth understanding of ways we can better manage materials to reduce our environmental impact. Created through a partnership between the Association of Oregon Recyclers and Oregon State University, the course explores the waste reduction hierarchy, materials management, life cycle analysis, food waste reduction, toxics reduction and more, while also providing guidance on how to teach others and create lasting change. With 8-15 hours of content, it's a great way for students, teachers, and interested members of the public to become informed and be inspired to reduce waste. Come find out more!

A Network Analysis of Reimagining Sustainability: Communication and Media Research at UO
Janet Wasko | Professor & Knight Chair in Communication Research, University of Oregon
Jeremy Swartz | Courtesy Research Associate, Media Studies, University of Oregon
The University of Oregon campus recently received a Convention Leadership Award for its collaboration on the 44th conference of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), an NGO founded by UNESCO. This poster visualizes a network analysis of the organizational structure for the theme of this experience: Reimagining Sustainability: Communication and Media Research in a Changing World. It illustrates how transdisciplinary inquiry and collaborative practices can facilitate sharing solutions pertaining to the environment and legacy notions of sustainability.

Through nodes, edges, and analytics, the poster highlights some of the unique dimensions featured, including transdisciplinary integration of traditional lectures with time-based (performance) and arts-based research; an Ecomedia Arts Festival; an Ecofair; and a co-sponsored panel with the International Environmental Communication Association (IECA). The poster also features components of sustainable implementation and cross-campus collaboration from energy and water use to zero waste, and dedicated sustainable practices for catering services, housing, printing, recycling, and composting.

The synergistic infrastructures of the University of Oregon continue to move society and the planet towards more equitable, resilient, and thriving futures.
Day Two | Wednesday, March 4th, 2020
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
EMU Ballroom Main Stage
Engagement
EMU 145 | Crater Lake South
Academics
EMU 231 + 232 | Cedar + Spruce
Operations & Facilities
EMU 214 | Redwood Auditorium
Student Leadership
EMU 146 | Crater Lake North
7:30-8:30am
Yoga | Rec Center 1320 E 15th Ave, Studio 283
Led by: Alesha Delaney | Marketing & Communications Specialist, Campus Sustainability Office, PSU
8:00am
Breakfast & Registration
8:00-9:00am
Join campus as living lab practitioners and partners in this meetup designed to create connections, share challenges and opportunities, and grow excitement for using our campuses as a living learning laboratory connecting academics and operations. Whether your campus has a formal campus as living lab program or not, we can all benefit from understanding how to structure and support living lab projects and partnerships. Come ready to share about your campus as living lab efforts, from specific project examples to program structure and strategy. We will also provide space for brainstorming solutions to living lab-related challenges on our campuses.
Host: Emily Quinton | Sustainability Education and Outreach Coordinator, Portland State University
Host: Hope Peterson | Zero Waste Coordinator, Western Washington University
Host: Mabel Miller | Sustainability Representatives Program Coordinator, Western Washington University
As a Sustainability activist at a small school, or in a small town, how do you engage with the various groups within your institution and the community? Such relationships can often be complicated; this session will allow members of such groups from different institutions to communicate and share ideas about their projects, principles, and strategies for Sustainability work.
Host: Daman Thys Reynolds | Sustainability Chair, Associated Students of Whitman College
9:00-9:05am
Welcome to WOHESC Day 2
9:05-9:15am
Welcome Remarks
Dr. Yvette Alex-Assensoh | Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, University of Oregon
9:15-9:30am
Opening Keynote  
Dr. Jessica Black | Director, Center for Indigenous Health, Culture and the Environment, and Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Heritage University
9:30-10:30am
Past WOHESCs have begun to describe the intersection of equity, diversity and inclusion with the concept of "sustainability." The response from past attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, but many participants want concrete, on-the-ground examples of how this work is being done. Following this year's conference theme of "Root Causes and Positive Actions," this panel features people working on the various front lines of environmental justice, sustainability and social equity work. Panelists will talk about their experiences, philosophies and how they address the root causes of social and environmental justice with positive action.
Moderator: Dr. Taylor McHolm | Program Director, Student Sustainability Center, University of Oregon
Dr. Jessica Black | Director, Center for Indigenous Health, Culture and the Environment, and Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Heritage University
Joel Iboa | Coalition Manager, Causa Oregon
Amelia Pape | Adjunct Instructor of Management, Portland State University
Sean Watts | Owner, SM Watts Consulting
Luhui Whitebear | PhD Candidate, Assistant Director, NAL Eena Haws, Diversity & Cultural Engagement, Oregon State University
10:30-11:00am
Networking and Coffee Break
11:00am-12:15pm
In this session we will be discussing the unique challenges and opportunities for scaling sustainability initiatives through partnerships between academic units, operations, on-campus programs, and universities and external organizations, businesses and community members. Willamette University's Zena case study, the development of a 300-acre rural property ten miles from campus, is its most distinctive sustainability initiative to date. Highline College's Sustainable Agriculture Program has been a similarly distinctive project in which they are currently managing an 11-acre and a 2-acre property for the city of Des Moines. And finally, hear about a case study from the University of Oregon campus that illustrates best practices, frameworks for success, replicability, and scalability and learn why "distinctiveness" may become increasingly important for similarly substantive higher ed initiatives as more universities experience enrollment challenges resulting from national trends.
Joe Abraham | Sustainability Director, Willamette University
Izabel Loinaz | Director, Center for Sustainable Business Practices, University of Oregon
Ryan Cabinte | MBA Program Manager, Center for Sustainable Business Practices, University of Oregon
Bobby Butler | Program Manager/Instructor, Sustainable Agriculture Program, Highline College  
The goal of this session is to share how courses not traditionally thought of as having a sustainability focus have connected faculty and students with local governments to create effective and reciprocal partnerships and outcomes. These seemingly non-traditional course matches have successfully expedited innovation into local government, increased capacity to move priority projects forward, accelerated new policy and practice adoption, re-charged and empowered staff, helped address problems from diverse perspectives, and trained the future workforce in multi-disciplinary problem solving, all with sustainability as the foundational element.
Megan Banks | Program Director, University of Oregon
Joshua Skov | Instructor, Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon
Marc Schlossberg | Professor and SCI Co-director, University of Oregon
Rebecca Lewis | Associate Professor, Co-director of Research, IPRE, University of Oregon
As the first building to engage a dramatic reclaimed pumice mine acquired for a future Net Zero campus expansion, the expectations were high for Oregon State University - Cascades' new Academic Building 2. Rather than do away with some of its ambitious goals in order to stay within budget, the design team ultimately developed an integrated strategy which found creative ways to meeting these goals and exceeding the University's expectations. This session will explore how an integrated process resulted in a modular concept for the building, a mass timber structure, and a Net Zero Energy design, all in adherence with the University's budget.

Sponsored by:


Lisa Petterson | Principal, SRG Partnership, Inc.
Jarrod Penttila | Project Manager, Oregon State University - Cascades
William Silva | Director of Preconstruction, Swinerton Builders
Lyle Keck | Building Performance Consultant, Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Eric Ridenour | Campus Planner, SRG Partnership, Inc.
We have the power to harness clean, abundant energy from the sun and the wind, and we can do it more efficiently and cheaply than ever before. Yet we're still producing, consuming and wasting energy in ways that do lasting damage to our environment and our health. In this workshop, we will train students to run smart, strategic campaigns for 100 percent renewable energy on campus that allow them to work in partnership with campus administrations. This workshop will consist of overviews, interactive small groups and a case study of a successful campaign that has been won on a campus.
Lucas Gutterman | Organizing Director, OSPIRG Students, University of Oregon
Nicole Walter | Campus Organizer, WASHPIRG Students, University of Washington
Elizabeth Radcliffe | Board Chair, OSPIRG Students, University of Oregon
Abby Keep | Chapter Secretary, OSPIRG Students University of Oregon
12:15-1:15pm
Lunch
1:15-2:30pm
Learn the value of incorporating equity into Climate Action Plans. The City of Eugene will share lessons learned from their Equity Panel as part of their Climate Action Plan 2.0. This session will present the experiences of city staff, equity panel members and will be facilitated by Prof. Alai Reyes-Santos who will speak about structuring the panel.
Mark Nystrom | Climate and Materials Management Program Manager, Lane County  
Alai Reyes-Santos | Professor, University of Oregon  
Luis Pablo Alvarez | Environmental Justice Community Organizer, Beyond Toxics and Eugene/Springfield NAACP
In this session, panelists will share tools and tips from Oregon State University and the University of Washington about green certification programs to illustrate how certification-style programs don't require significant top down support or resource allocation to have a positive impact. The certifications are simple, effective tools for students, faculty and staff to start or enhance their sustainability efforts and get recognition for their work. Learn about what has worked well and what has not worked well, how to make it easier for folks to get certified, and strategies for outreach.
Brandon Trelstad | Sustainability Officer, Oregon State University  
Amira Smith | Marketing and Outreach, Sustainability Office, Oregon State University
Toren Elste | Program Specialist, University of Washington Sustainability  
What role might philosophy and religion departments play in preparing students to address the root causes of our social/environmental crisis? What are the best practices in "solutions-oriented" transdisciplinary education? How can we insure inclusion of diverse voices, especially those from indigenous traditions? This participative panel discussion will explore possible strategies for integrating philosophical reflection of values and worldviews into curriculum across academic departments for the purpose of preparing students to work toward systemic change for a more sustainable and equitable world.
Wm. Andrew Schwartz | Executive Director, Center for Process Studies and Assistant Professor of Process Studies and Comparative Theology, Claremont School of Theology
Philip Clayton | President, Institute for Ecological Civilization
Barbara Muraca | Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies, University of Oregon
Existing car-dominate communities have inherent inequities built in that limit people's travel choices and opportunities. A key focus of this session will be how a community can plan and build sustainable bicycle transportation infrastructure to major destinations such as a university campus, and create positive change. Building and operating a well connected and heavily used bicycle network and sustainable bicycle transportation on campus can transform accessibility and impactfully reduce emissions.

Sponsored by:


David Reesor | Director of Transportation Services, University of Oregon  
Rob Inerfeld | Transportation Planning Manager, City of Eugene  
Kelsey Moore | Bike Program Coordinator, University of Oregon  
Colin Quinn-Hurst | Pedestrian and Bicycle Planner, City of Spokane  
This session will share case studies from Willamette University and Whitman College about maintaining sustainability programming in the midst of smaller campus sizes, tighter budgets, fewer full time staff opportunities and student graduation/turnover. By learning how to measure and understand our work of past, present, and future and by normalizing campus dialogue on the meaning and utility of "sustainability," students on these campuses are organizing to sustain meaningful programming. Learn about how they are committed to the diverse topics included in "environmental justice" and offer sustainable programming that would otherwise not exist on campus.
Claire Verstrate | Student, Students for Sustainability Lead Coordinator, Willamette University  
Lauren Collar | Student, Students for Sustainability Engagement Coordinator, Willamette University
Marion Powell | Student, Students for Sustainability Composting and Zero Waste Coordinator, Willamette University
Sam Kinzel | Student, Campus Student Spiritual Advisor and Member of the Student Government Sustainability Committee, Whitman College
2:30-2:45pm
Break
2:45-3:00pm

Click here to view the 2019 Program