NWF Honors Willamette University as Most Exemplary Program of Campus Sustainability Activities in the Nation

Willamette's current claim to fame:

In the nation’s largest survey to date, the National Wildlife Federation recognized Willamette University as first in the nation for sustainability activities. NWF’s “Campus Environment 2008: A National Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Education” surveyed 1,068 participating colleges and universities, and ranked Willamette as the school engaged in the greatest number of sustainability activities.

People at Willamette take their motto and mission seriously and genuinely try to walk the talk,” says Judy Walton, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. “I’ve rarely seen so much honest engagement and reflection on the issue of sustainability. It’s a sincere commitment, not just lip service. The university takes time to make sure its efforts are deep and thoughtful.”

Many Willamette students and professors believe that no educational experience can be meaningful unless it addresses the defining challenge of the 21st century. We take to heart our motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born,” as we seek to envision a world that is truly sustainable — in our sky, water and land, and in the communities that tie us together.

Willamette honors sustainability in four ways, which we call the four E’s:

• Education
• Environment
• Equity
• Economics