Category Archives: Education

Organizations working to raise awareness about the causes and effects of climate change.

Northwest Association of Environmental Professionals

The Northwest Association of Environmental Proffesionals (NWAEP) is a group of Washington and Oregon environmental professionals whose goal is to provide opportunities for the professional development and recognition of members through meetings, conferences, and other activities.  According to the webpage:

Membership in the Northwest Association of Environmental Professionals is open to anyone in the Northwest who is involved or interested in the environmental professions and who conducts their work in accordance with the Environmental Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. By definition, an “environmental professional” is someone who either earns their livelihood from, or has a specific skill or experience in, one or more environmental areas. Included in this broad category are environmental managers, engineers, consultants, educators, regulators, attorneys, vendors and suppliers, technicians, activists, and students, among others.

Many members of NWAEP are also affiliated with the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP), but membership in the latter organization is not required.

They are a nonpolitical and interdisciplinary organization.  They promote advancement in scientific education, planning, research, assessment, review and management.

Organization Type:

Website

Contact e-mail

Address

NWAEP PO Box 141 Portland, OR 97207

Washington Environmental Council

From their website: Here at Washington Environmental Council we believe that a healthy environment and healthy economy go hand in hand. We believe that we will all live better lives when our air and water are clean. And for 40 years Washington Environmental Council has been speaking up to make sure those values have a voice in the state capitol.

WEC has adopted a five‐year Climate and Clean Energy Agenda, a long‐term commitment to move the dial on state policy to reduce emissions, use energy efficiently, transition to clean energy, and set limits on global warming pollution that drive a clean energy future. WEC is partnering closely with Climate Solutions and Sightline Institute in this work.

Organization Type: Non-Government Organization

Website

Contact e-mail

Telephone

(206) 631-2600

Address

1402 3rd Avenue, Suite 1400, Seattle, WA 98101

BC Sustainable Energy Association

BC Sustainable Energy Association is a nonprofit organization in Victoria, British Columbia that works to provide and advocate environmentally friendly energy practices.  As gathered from their website, “The BC Sustainable Energy Association’s mission is to empower British Columbians to build a clean, renewable energy future.”  BC Sustainable Energy Association helps suggest policies and programs to policymakers use seminars or “webinars” to inform the public about current climate news and organizes sustainable energy tours.  Currently their challenges include putting clean energy into classrooms and workplaces. They rely on donations and charities and are growing, honest organizations.

 

Organization Type:

Website

Contact e-mail

Telephone

(604) 332-0025

Address

PO Box 44104 Gorge Plaza 2947 Tillicum Rd.

Network of Oregon Watershed Councils

Mission statement:  The Network supports the work of Oregon’s watershed councils to enhance watershed health and benefit their local communities.

According to their webpage, here’s why watershed councils are important:

  • Local watershed councils are highly effective in the planning, development, and implementation of projects to maintain and restore the biological and physical processes in watersheds for the sustainability of their communities.
  • Councils often identify landowner participants for important projects, develop priorities for local projects, and establish goals and standards for future conditions in the watershed. On-site projects are implemented in an effort to enhance the watershed’s ability to capture, store, and beneficially release water.
  • Education programs inform people about watershed processes and functions. Watershed councils provide coordinated, broad-based review of land management plans to local, state, and federal decision-makers.
  • Watershed councils help bring state, federal, and private funding to local communities for ecosystem restoration, monitoring, and education.
  • Together with their many partners, councils make a significant positive impact on the local environment, economy, and community.

Organization Type:

Website

Telephone

(503) 362-1246

Address

187 High St. NE #213 Salem, OR 97301

Whidbey Environmental Action Network

Mission: The restoration and preservation of the native biological diversity of Whidbey Island and the Pacific Northwest. We accomplish this through Education, Activation, Preservation & Restoration and Litigation.

•Education – we post articles and reports on relevant subjects, such as what lands have been bought for preservation, what the county commissioners are doing about growth management, what a functional native plant community looks like, etc.

•Activation – encouraging people to become involved by providing tools for effective participation.

•Preservation and Restoration – preventing damage to ecosystems when possible and restoring them when necessary.

•Litigation – when all else fails, we use legal means to enforce laws to protect the environment.

 

Organization Type: Not-For-Profit Corporation

Website

Contact e-mail

Telephone

(982) 600-053

Address

Whidbey Environmental Action Network, Box 53 Langley, WA 98260
Mail: Whidbey Environmental Action Network (WEAN), P.O. Box 53, Langley, WA

The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership

The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership’s focus is on the conservation and protection of the Columbia River Estuary.  They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Their Strategies include Habitat Restoration, Monitoring and Education.

Organization Type:

Website

Contact e-mail

Telephone

(503) 226-1565

Address

811 SW Naito Parkway Suite 410
 Portland, OR 97204

Northwest Environmental Defense Center

The Northwest Environmental Defense Center is based in Oregon and is dedicated to preservation and promotes sustainable agriculture.  “NEDC students currently work as members of one or more of our project groups, including: Lands and Wildlife, Water, Air, and Sustainable Agriculture”.  Their ongoing projects include air quality patrolling to ensure no violations of current air standards take place, sustainable land use and raising awareness on sustainable food operations, and many other practices.

Organization Type:

Website

Contact e-mail

Telephone

(503) 768-6673

Address

10015 SW Terwilliger Blvd. Portland, OR 97219

Oregon Environmental Council

“Founded in 1968, Oregon Environmental Council is a nonprofit, non-partisan, membership-based organization. The Oregon Environmental Council advances innovative, collaborative solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges for today and future generations.” The Oregon Environmental Council works for clean air and water, a healthy climate, an unpolluted landscape and sustainable food and farms

Organization Type:

Website

Telephone

(503) 222-1963

Address

222 NW Davis Street, Suite 309 Portland, Oregon 97209

Washington Wild

Washington Wild is a non-profit organization that fits into the “Forest Conservation and Agricultural Soils” wedge.  Washington Wild uses education to inform the community of the threats to the forests in Western Washington.  They also do civil engagements to where they push congress to pass bills that protect the environment.  With over 2000 members they are pushing to protect over 126,000 acres of wilderness in the state of Washington.  While 70% of their income is from donations, 75-80% is used on their efforts.  An honest and local organization, Washington Wild is successful in conserving our forests.

Organization Type:

Website

Contact e-mail

Telephone

(206) 633-1992

Address

305 North 83rd Street Seattle, WA 98103

Renewable Northwest Project

According to their website “RNP’s mission is to promote the implementation of environmentally responsible renewable resources, such as wind, solar and geothermal, in the Northwest.”

Organization Type: Not-For-Profit Corporation

Website

Contact e-mail

Telephone

(503) 223-4544

Address

Renewable Northwest Project 421 SW 6th Ave, Suite 1125 Portland, OR 97204-1629