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Coronavirus COVID-19

COVID-19 Advisory: WSU Extension is working to keep our communities safe. Our office at 406 N. Main Street in Coupeville is open to the public, however, all visitors regardless of vaccine status must wear an approved facemask in the office. The conference room is currently closed to all outside groups. WSU programs may use the conference room but must maintain 6 feet distance and all participants must wear approved face-coverings.

Sustainability Speakers Series

Program Contact: Timothy Lawrence
(360) 639-6061 • timothy.lawrence@wsu.edu

Sustainability Series cover logo

Interested in living more sustainably? 

Waste Wise of WSU Extension Island County is happy to provide the opportunity to learn about living more sustainably during our online speaking series.  With experts speaking each month, we will address waste reduction, composting, consumer habits, plastics, proper recycling, equity in sustainability, food waste reduction, textiles, and more.  We are thrilled to be partnering with Sustainable Community Stewards of WSU Extension Snohomish County and with our community partners at Sno-Isle Libraries throughout this series.  We greatly appreciate the financial support of the Lighthouse Environmental Program (LEP) and Island County Solid Waste.

Fall 2021 Sessions

These events are available on zoom, free and open to all!

REGISTER HERE

  • Register here for any or all of our programs
  • You must have a zoom account to participate.  You can Create a Free Zoom Account if you do not already have one.
  • You can register for additional presentations as information is released or you can sign up for the whole series at once.
  • If you are unable to attend but would like a link to the recorded presentation, register anyway.  We will send you a link after the program.
Questions?  Contact sarah.bergquist@wsu.edu

 

Details for our Fall Series:

9/21 – Deathprint: Your Options with Beverly Tryk with People’s Memorial Association

Recording Here

Did you know that roughly 80% of Washingtonians choose cremation (vs 52% nationally)? While the main concern families cite when selecting funeral arrangements is cost, an increasing number express concerns over the environmental impact of their decisions. Many are concerned about the interaction of embalming fluid with soil or the mercury released during a cremation.

Can our final gesture in life be a more environmentally supportive burial? What are the options? A lot of us have the environment on our minds, so it’s only natural to wonder what we can do with our final gesture to respect that planet that gave us so much in life. In this presentation, you will learn the legal options that are now available to us outside of the conventional burial and cremation offerings. For example, Washington state has recently approved both human composting and carbon-neutral aquamation (“green cremation”) options. In addition, there are “green burials” (also known as natural burial) opportunities in some areas.

Green leaf with circle and People's Memorial AssociationOur presenter, Beverly Tryk from People’s Memorial Association, strongly believes that there’s no right choice but an informed choice when selecting funeral arrangements. Join us as she gives us an overview of what the legal requirements are in WA, what the pros and cons of different funeral choices are, and what the future looks like for deathcare.

Presenter bio: Beverly Tryk

woman with dark hair and black shirt, smilingBeverly has lived everywhere from southern California to rural Mozambique, but has returned to the PNW like the salmon she is. She is passionate about community health outreach and consumes public health data for breakfast. She’s put her aptitude for foreign languages to work for the American Red Cross, Planned Parenthood, the American Heart Association, and the US Peace Corps.

Through her volunteer work, Beverly has become very at-home in uncomfortable conversations and is happy to help families find the answers to difficult questions. Beverly found People’s Memorial when she was preparing for the Peace Corps and had to create her own end-of-life plan. In her time not held captive by cozy blankets and gripping reads, Beverly is a well-caffeinated volunteer interpreter.

October 19th, Tuesday at 7 pm

Zero Waste Policy Action Updates with Heather Trim, Zero Waste Washington

Register Here

Join us as we hear an annual update with Zero Waste Washington’s Executive Director, Heather Trim. Hear all of the latest news on what new zero waste initiatives have been passed and updates on future policy issues in the areas of reducing plastic waste, reducing plastic pollution, reducing food waste and addressing climate change through community actions.

Presenter bio: Heather Trim, Executive Director, Zero Waste Washington

picture of a woman in white shirt with glasses, smilingHeather joined Zero Waste Washington in 2016. Prior to Zero Waste Washington, Heather has been active in zero waste issues, including helping lead the Seattle bag campaign and helping get the ban on styrofoam serviceware products passed. Previously, Heather was Director of Science and Policy at Futurewise, focusing on habitat, shoreline, stormwater and other issues related to landuse. Before that, she worked on similar issues and including toxic pollution and plastics. Heather earned a BS in geology from Yale University and a PhD from UCLA in geochemistry (Contact: heather[at]zerowastewashington[dot]org or 206-441-1790)

November 16th – Sustainable Travel & Eco-Fashion Trends by WSU Professors Christine Chi, Ph.D. and Ting Chi, Ph.D.

Fall is upon up which means here come the holidays! Holidays can equal travel and new attire. Have you been thinking about how you can have greener holidays and lighten your impact throughout the coming year? Join us as we learn how we can make our travel more sustainable and eco-choices with our wardrobe.

 

  • Register here for any or all of our programs

  • You must have a zoom account to participate.  You can Create a Free Zoom Account if you do not already have one.
  • You can register for additional presentations as information is released or you can sign up for the whole series at once.
  • If you are unable to attend but would like a link to the recorded presentation, register anyway.  We will send you a link after the program.

Questions?  Contact sarah.bergquist@wsu.edu

 

Previously Recorded

2021 Sustainability Speaker Series:

September – Deathprint
January – Foodprint
February – Plastics
  • February 10th – Plastic in Our Lives: How to Be an Informed Consumer, with Dr. Mahmoud Adbel-Monem, retired WSU
March – Composting
April – Sustainability
May – ReThink!
  • May 12th – Recycling Beyond the Curb presented by WSU Island and WSU Snohomish County Extension Master Recyclers: Sarah Bergquist, Jerilyn Ritzman, and Heather Teegarden
  • May 26th – Reduce & Reuse with these Zero Waste Lifehacks! presented by Siobhan McComb, Zero waste and sustainable lifestyle consultant, owner of One Glass Jar

Thank you

This program is possible in part with funding support from Washington State University, Island County Public Works, and the Lighthouse Environmental Program, with partnership from WSU Sustainable Community Stewards and community support from Sno-Isle Libraries

Accommodations

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities or special needs.  Please contact Sarah Bergquist for assistance.  Evidence of non-compliance may be reported through your local Extension office or to the WSU Center for Human Rights.