Western Washington University
09/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/18/2025 14:29
WWU’s Sustainability Pathways receives $280,000 grant to expand partnerships and program offerings
WWU News
On This Page
- WWU Stories
- News Releases and Announcements
- WWU in the News
- Campus News and Information
WWU's Sustainability Pathways receives $280,000 grant to expand partnerships and program offerings
The Washington Climate Corps Network (WCCN) award will expand programs that connect young adults with hands-on experiences supporting service projects that build climate resilience
September 18, 2025
by Jennifer Nerad
University Communications
The 2025 Sustainability Pathways fellows spent 11 weeks this summer living, serving, and learning together in the Methow and Okanogan Valleys.
Western Washington University's Sustainability Pathways program has received a $280,000 grant from the Washington Climate Corps Network (WCCN).
Sustainability Pathways engages Western students and rural youth with opportunities to work in climate resiliency and sustainability in the Methow and Okanogan Valleys.
Based in Twisp, the interdisciplinary program is housed within Western's College of the Environment and works closely with Western's Sustainability Engagement Institute, but is open to undergraduates in all majors.
The new WCCN grant enables the placement of Sustainability Pathways fellows with local partners as "WCCN architects," young adults aged 17-31, to address critical gaps and projects supporting their community's climate resilience goals.
"Students bring meaningful capacity to address climate resiliency and sustainability while organizational partners provide formative work experiences and mentorship," said Joshua Porter, director of the Sustainability Pathways program. "The Washington Climate Corps Network's support amplifies the reciprocity in the community-engaged programming we continue to offer with local partners."
The new grant dovetails into Sustainability Pathway's current programming. By partnering with more than 40 local and regional organizations across sustainability sectors, including energy, public health, planning, economic development, ecological restoration, food systems, and education, the program provides pathways into green economy careers while advancing climate and sustainability work.
WCCN, administered by Serve Washington, supports climate-related service opportunities in "overburdened communities," where populations face multiple environmental harms and health impacts.
"The organizations receiving this support are at the forefront of local efforts to reduce the harmful impacts of climate change," said WCCN Director Matt Glazewski. "Their projects are rooted in community needs and reflect the kind of innovation our state needs to build a more climate-resilient future."
Sustainability Pathways is one of eight community-based organizations that received funding from the Washington Climate Corps Network.
Learn more about WWU's Sustainability Pathways program, Sustainability Engagement Institute, and College of the Environment.
Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment and College of Business and Economics for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at [email protected].
Western Washington University published this content on September 18, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 18, 2025 at 20:30 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]