2020-2021

Here at the University of Washington, we are proud of our trees! About 480 different kinds of trees beautify the University of Washington grounds, and while 28 are species native to the Pacific Northwest, the vast majority are exotic in nature. Since before the turn of the century, forestry professors, botanists, gardeners and landscape architects have planted this wide array of trees in order to facilitate both decoration and education. This means that the U.W.

Amid the ongoing protests that followed the death of George Floyd, the student-led Diversity and Inclusion Group (DIG) in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences organized a department-wide conversation on race. Participating graduate students, faculty, postdoctoral researchers and department staff discussed problems and solutions within small groups and a consensus emerged that, as a precursor to becoming more anti-racist, we must educate ourselves about the history and the present day manifestation of racism within our field.

Our project entails the creation of a SMART Hive model based off of the Langstroth Hive design and complete with sensor technologies that allow beekeepers to monitor the hive condition, detect hive stressors, and alert beekeepers to intervene before colony collapse, a deadly environmental issue that affects thousands of hives in the United States.

In pursuit of menstrual justice, the University of Washington Q Center will purchase and distribute sustainable, eco-friendly menstrual products to 100 UW students in need. The products—reusable cotton underwear liners, reusable cotton pads, and menstrual cups—will be purchased from GladRags as part of the Q Center’s upcoming initiative called Menstruation Station. Led by Graduate Program Coordinator Joie Waxler, the Menstruation Station will provide wraparound services that center the experiences, needs, and desires of bodies that bleed.

As of September 2021, the UW Farm team launched the Strategic Plan Initiative. This project is all about creating room for the UW Farm team - which includes students, staff, faculty, campus organizations, and community members - to collectively reimagine the structure and purpose of the UW Farm as to be more financially sustainable. As a campus and community organization, the UW Farm has provided innumerable opportunities for people to learn about and practice urban farming.

In partnership with UW Solar and UW Transportation, we are designing and planning the installation for a solar-powered electric bicycle charging station that uses a 2nd life electric vehicle battery for storage. The system will be off-grid and can supply energy to up to ten electric bikes at a time. By installing a renewable powered charging system, we will help UW reach their goal of a 45% emissions reduction by 2030, as outlined by the UW Sustainability Action Plan. Additionally, our project will provide visibility for sustainable transportation and renewable energy on campus.