MEDIA RELEASE: CASCADIA HOLDS #1 SPOT FOR ITS SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
For Immediate Release
February 1. 2021
Cascadia College holds #1 spot in the Nation for its Sustainable landscape management in 2020
Cascadia received the nation’s highest recognition for sustainable grounds for the third year in a row.
Photo: The Cascadia/UWB campus farm, and restored wetland in the background, both of which are available for the public to visit on campus. Following state/CDC COVID-19 guidelines.
Bothell, WA - Cascadia College has for the third year in a row been awarded top ranking spot in the nation for Sustainable Grounds by The Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in the Sustainable Campus Index. This recognition was tied with two other institutions in the country.
AASHE releases the Sustainable Campus Index yearly, acknowledging institutions across the nation in 17 categories, and each institution is assessed using a score in each category from information provided to its Sustainable Tracking, Assessment Rating System (STARS). Cascadia updates its report on a three-year basis, and has been proud to be recognized in this fashion. This reporting system is voluntarily completed by each individual college and university, scoring ratings on the equity, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainability.
“We’re so thrilled to be recognized as the #1 campus for sustainable grounds once again.” says Stephan Classen, Assistant Director of Sustainable Practices. “Our campus area has become like a secret garden in Bothell.”
In addition to the 58-acre restored wetlands on campus, visitors to the landscape will be able to discover the campus farm,Cascadia’s Food Forest, landscaping that consists of native, drought-tolerant plants, pollinator gardens beds, and numerous rain gardens. The public is encouraged to take a walk along the boardwalk in the wetlands, learn about the history and restoration work from signage or tours, and potentially see some wildlife.
The sustainable grounds category considers the land management, sustainable landscaping, and biodiversity of the campus as well as the surrounding area. Cascadia shares the 135-acre campus with University of Washington: Bothell, which includes the 58-acres of restored wetlands. Maintaining this campus is the dedicated grounds team, whose efforts to limit the impact on wildlife habitats and to conserve resources with permaculture and pesticide-free management were instrumental for this recognition. UW Bothell will for the first time complete its own individual STARS report and it is the hope that in the future this achievement will be shared between both campuses.
“The grounds team members take great pride in their role as gardeners in this world and see it as a duty of their profession to protect and cultivate the integrity of our land and the life it supports,” says the campus Lead Gardener, Tyson Kemper.
This is the third year Cascadia College has received this award, this year the College was tied with Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA, and George Washington University in Washington, D.C. On-campus there are opportunities for students to learn about sustainability and become involved with the grounds management work. The public is welcome to explore and enjoy the campus grounds while learning of the different ways we are promoting sustainability, including the well-known section that includes the Burke-Gilman Trail.