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Sustainability Committee

Conservation Efforts

LED fixtures and occupancy sensor-controlled lighting systems have been installed around the facility to maximize energy savings with high efficiency lighting.

The Farm and Facilities maintenance team has converted to electric weed eaters and leaf blowers to reduce two-stroke engine use for leaf matter management.

Waste Reduction

WSU Mount Vernon NWREC strives to minimize our ecological impact, and provides compostable tableware, as well as reusable utensils, cups and serving ware for use with rental of the kitchen facilities for external events. In order to minimize single use plastics in our waste stream, please do not bring disposable plastic bottled water into the facilities. Water cups, pitchers, and water bottle refilling stations are readily available, and the bottle refilling station installed in 2022 has saved over 3,800 single use plastic water bottles to date.

Mixed recycling containers and compost bins are readily available throughout the facility to maximize waste diversion. Compost materials are carefully monitored by the farm and facilities technicians, and the compost generated is used on non-research grounds of the NWREC to avoid issues with chemical residues, pathogens, and weed seeds.

Pollinator Support

In an effort to support pollinators, NWREC underwent the Bee Friendly Farming certificate program provided by Pollinator Partnership. Certification requires the station engages in sustainable agricultural practices that promote, protect, and conserve pollinators including provision of forage and nesting habitats, providing access to water, and implementing integrated pest management to reduce pollinator exposure to pesticides.

Bee Friendly Farming (BFF)Learn more about this certification from Pollinator Partnership.