SOU’S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
There are so many ways to get involved and engage with the local community!
Below are a few examples of SOU’s work with the community on Sustainability.
Volunteer days and service.
- Each year the SOU community is invited to volunteer on the slopes of local non-profit ski area Mt. Ashland for a day of service.
- For students who are part of the Honors College, two days of volunteering is required for each scholar.
- SOU hosts Arbor Day each year and we welcome volunteers to help us plant and care for trees.
- SOU’s Student-Athlete program requires each athlete to volunteer at least one day per year.
Events
- Earth Day – SOU hosts a day for the community and SOU students to volunteer together and learn more about sustainable living.
- Ashland Ski and Gear swap – Resale of used equipment (consignment). Partially staffed by volunteers from SOU and the Ashland community.
- SalmonFest – Celebrates the natural wonders of Southern Oregon, especially the yearly salmon migration.
Committees and Organizations
Faculty, Staff, and Students also represent SOU on various committees in the community. Some notable committees include:
- Mount Ashland Sustainability and Environment Committee
- Climate and Environment Policy Action Committee, City of Ashland
- Rogue Valley Audubon Society
- Southern Oregon Climate Smart
- Rogue Basin Partnership
- Travel Southern Oregon
Internships, Service Learning, and Capstones
Local Innovation Lab has mentored students on dozens of projects related to sustainability and disaster resilience.
Sustainability is one of the program outcomes for SOU’s students majoring in Environmental Science and Policy and Sustainability. It is a component of the required capstone sequence and internships. Many students work with community organizations, for example, Pollinator Project Rogue Valley, Firebrand Resilience Collective, Rogue River Watershed Council and Federal Government, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, and the Forest Service.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability at SOU
1250 Siskiyou Blvd
Ashland, OR 97520
sustainability@sou.edu
541.552.8139