University of Puget Sound
PAE-19: Community Sustainability Partnerships

In addition to active and committed partnerships with the local business districts located within blocks of our campus (6th Avenue and Proctor), the university partners with the Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber of Commerce on Tacoma ACTS, a chamber program dedicated to advancing sustainability within local business practices. One role was documenting green job training or educational programs that exist in our county higher education institutions. The goal is to enhance curriculum to match skill sets needed by the local business community to provide more green jobs in the area. We also partner with an organization called Go Local, which seeks to promote local buying habits and purchasing policies. We will examine our purchasing practices to support a pilot project with large institutions to encourage local sourcing, knowledge and decisions. In 2009 we started a partnership with the Tacoma Food Co-op, partnering to show monthly, food-oriented sustainability documentaries on campus, which is continuing in 2010/11. In 2007 and 2008 we partnered with Pierce Transit to pilot campus bus pass distribution programs. Pierce Transit matched the number of purchased passes at no cost to promote campus community alternative transportation. This partnership has continued with other mass transit promotion programs. This program expanded into a 2010 partnership, including the City of Tacoma, to fund a half-time person dedicated to promoting alternative transportation on Puget Sound's campus, primarily focused on the commute trip reduction program. In 2007 we hosted a local community "sustainability tour" which involved local leaders and neighbors who visited selected sustainability sites in our city to educate participants about making sustainable decisions in residential and business environments. Locations included the City of Tacoma's EnviroHouse, two local residences, and a nearby Farmer's Market. For the last several years Puget Sound has partnered with the local outdoors group The Mountaineers to host an annual community education program focusing on environmental issues particular to our Puget Sound region. University representatives participated on the Mayor’s Green Ribbon Task Force, which generated the Sustainable Tacoma Commission. This organization awards funding to local groups, including colleges, for sustainable projects. In addition, the university has worked with local businesses on several sustainability projects, including a Bash Trash educational event offered to local businesses focusing on making greener business choices and a class project with local businesses to stop using plastic shopping bags.