sustainable

RICHLAND – The urgent need to develop a cost-efficient energy mix will be presented this Friday, Oct. 30 at WSU Tri-Cities.

 “To address any of the environmental and resource issues in debate today, a rational mix of energy sources must be achieved quickly,” said Jim Conca, director of the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center operated by New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering. “Energy has always been directly tied to the quality of life for humans — about 3,000 kilowatt hours per person, per year is necessary for a good life. The world will require considerably more energy in the future to attain … » More …

PULLMAN –  From Oct. 6 through Nov. 5 Dining Services will showcase Local and Sustainable Menu Items in collaboration with the WSU Museum of Anthropology’s “What’s for Dinner on the Palouse?” and  the Smithsonian Exhibit, “Key Ingredients.”

“Key Ingredients” is the newest exhibition from Museum on Main Street, a partnership of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and state humanities councils.  “Key Ingredients” is coming to Pullman through the efforts of the Humanities of Washington, the Museum of Anthropology, and the WSU Libraries.  Key Ingredients is on display at the Terrell Library Atrium … » More …

PULLMAN – The WSU Graduate School is offering graduate students in any discipline the opportunity to obtain a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture. Students are eligible to pursue the certificate as long as they meet the prerequisites for the courses required.

The certificate coursework will provide students with an interdisciplinary understanding of practices and current issues in sustainable agriculture, according to Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, coordinator of the WSU Biologically Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming program.

“Sustainable agriculture is inherently interdisciplinary and the courses required will provide knowledge of the science that makes it work,” said Carpenter-Boggs.

Carpenter-Boggs said the certificate program, which was approved by … » More …

The annual WSU Sustainability Fair is a two day event on Oct. 25 and 26 that will feature a wide range of events from a panel discussion on the obstacles and benefits of campus sustainability at WSU to live music and free foods.

Some of the highlights include:

• Keynote Speakers
• Free live music – Tracy Lyons Biofuel-powered band
• Sustainability Smack Down! Student essay competition and film documentary, sponsored by KEEN FootWear
• Recyclemania organizational meeting– a nationwide college recycling competition
• Win a Trek 4300 Mountain … » More …

(Photos by Becky Phillips, WSU Today) Imagine a pizza with crust so soft that it almost melts in your mouth. Add to that the fragrance of creamy mozzarella, sizzling red onions and sausage.There’s something new on the menu at the Hillside Café, and it’s a far cry from the tough, chewy products once associated with whole wheat.Brett Line, Dining Services cook lead, prepares whole wheat pizzas at Hillside Cafe.As part of a university-wide initiative promoting environmental sustainability practices, WSU Dining Services has taken great strides in incorporating locally grown meat and produce in all of their campus kitchens. One of the newest additions to … » More …

Rotational grazing, a goat dairy and a cheese facility were just three of the many features discussed at the first 2007 Farm Walk at Pine Stump Farm in Omak. Producers, farmers and community members toured the farm April 16 and learned the benefits and challenges of having a diversified, value-added livestock operation. Organized by Washington State University’s Small Farms Team and Tilth Producers of Washington, these walks provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, on an advanced level, on specific types of farming practices and issues. Participants are encouraged to engage in discussion about the farm’s production and marketing practices.  “We want people to learn about the best … » More …

PULLMAN –  When it comes to an environmental footprint, bigger is not better. WSU students, faculty and staff will be able to take an on-line survey April 23 that will help measure their ecological footprint, which is defined as the numbers of acres of land it would take to support their lifestyle. The survey is part of the Tread Lightly 2007 event, which is being held in conjunction with the Earth Day Network, the worldwide coordinating body for Earth Day events on April 22. John Glass, coordinator of the WSU Sustainability Initiative, said the confidential survey will be available on-line at http://www.earthday.net/treadlightly2007.html on April … » More …

WSU soil scientist Lynne Carpenter-Boggs has been named coordinator for the university’s Biologically Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program.       Carpenter-Boggs currently serves as an instructor and researcher in WSU’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.  She holds a doctorate in soil sciences from WSU, as well as a master’s degree from Iowa State University and a bachelor of science degree from Northland College.  Previously, she worked as a researcher in WSU’s Department of Plant Pathology, and as a soil microbiologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service in Morris, Minn.  She will begin her new position May 1.     BIOAg is part … » More …

The regional director for Church World Service will speak at WSU on March 7. The presentation’s goal is to raise awareness about international sustainable development.Lynn Magnuson, who has over 25 years of experience working with ecumenical-interfaith groups, will specifically address global poverty, HIV/AIDS, clean water, fair trade and peace-building.The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. in Compton Union Building room 212 and will include a question-and-answer session. The event will be hosted by Global Perspectives and is free and open to the public.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Nicole Kelln, who graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Washington State University, took the 2005 grand prize in the National Sustainable Design Competition sponsored by the International Interior Design Association.The competition organizers said they had an “overwhelming” number of entries and that the grand prize selection was challenging, with many deserving entries. This is the second year in a row that a WSU student has taken the grand prize; in 2004, graduate student Kate Hauge won that honor.Each year the IIDA sponsors the Sustainable Design Student Competition, which is open to interior design students from around the … » More …