Our Community Matters
Our motto is "Not unto ourselves alone are we born."
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Shaping Her Future through Environmental Advocacy
At Willamette, Liz Gill ’17 immersed herself in student government, environmental activism, and community service. Now she’s implementing solar policy for the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Protecting Coastal Ecosystems
Anelise Zimmer BA’16 brought her passion for the environment from Kodiak, Alaska, to Willamette University, where she majored in Environmental and Earth Studies and minored in Politics. She works as a principal associate for the Protecting Coastal Wetlands and Coral Reefs project in Washington D.C.. Zimmer combines her love for climate change and international relations, both fostered during her time at Willamette, to make a significant impact on global climate policy.
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Summer in the Harvard Forest
Isabella Stone ’24 discovered her love for trees at Willamette University, where she delved into dendrochronology and joined the Growing Oaks Team to help restore Oregon white oaks. Her passion led her to the Harvard Forest Summer Research Program, where she studied seedling regeneration and canopy gaps. Stone is applying her field and lab experience to a career with the U.S. Forest Service, continuing her commitment to tree conservation and forest health.
“Gen Z understands that we need to be more ambitious than just taking individual action like composting. They understand that we’re on a deadline.”
Janet Lorenzen
Associate Professor of Sociology
The Growing Oaks Project
As a student, you have opportunities to make a difference.
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Projects Related to Climate
The Growing Oaks project involves collecting acorns from Oregon Oaks and nurturing them into saplings to be planted across Willamette’s campus, the forest at WU at Zena property, and various public and private sites around Salem. Supported by the Willamette University Community Action Fund for Equity and Sustainability (CAFES), the project engages in student research, advocates for oak preservation, and continues community connections.
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Science Collaborative Research Program
Willamette’s Science Collaborative Research Program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to work directly with faculty in the natural sciences on a nine-week summer research project.
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Environmental Law Society
The Environmental Law Society promotes awareness and participation in environmental issues and activities on campus and in the community to influence the law, public policy, legislation, and justice. The group promotes environmental careers, practices, and scholarship and opportunities for advocacy of environmental issues.
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Community Action Fund for Equity and Sustainability
The Community Action Fund for Equity and Sustainability Committee is a student-led program that provides funding for projects and programs that advance sustainability, equity and social justice in and around Willamette’s campus and community.
The forest at WU at Zena: use our 305-acre property for academic courses, research projects, club activities, and recreation.
Student Projects and Grants
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Climate Change-Related Degree Programs
At Willamette, we equip you with the knowledge, skills, and practical experiences to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, like climate change, head-on. Our comprehensive programs infuse activism and sustainability throughout the curriculum, preparing graduates to be constructive problem-solvers and climate leaders.