Illustration by Stefan Große Halbuer for “The Hunger and the Hunger,” depicting themes from Danilo Heitor’s vision of a future without scarcity,

In early March, staff from the Office of Sustainability and Campus Planning attended the Washington Oregon Higher Education Conference (WOHESC), hosted this year by University of Washington in Seattle. We heard inspiring keynotes from Aimée Okotie-Oyekan and Amy Bowers Cordalis. We learned about campus natural areas, climate action planning, and calculating carbon pollution from purchased goods and services. And we learned about “solarpunk,” a genre of science or speculative fiction focused on techno-optimism and envisioning sustainable futures for all. It shares DNA with Afro, Indigenous, Latinx, and Queer-Futurisms, as well as “hopepunk” and other non-dystopic, non-apocalyptic climate fiction or “cli fi.”  

The solarpunk session was packed, mostly with students who were eager to share their favorite fictional worlds and, if you can believe it, talk about literature. Now, some may think, “Science fiction is fun but divorced from actual reality. Not unlike young people.” But another approach might be to ask: What is it about imagined futures that gets young people so engaged?” 

One answer might be that young people are hungry for a future they can believe in, for a world worth working toward. Those ideas are so often absent from conversations about the state of the world, whether those conversations are practical, enraged, numbed, or otherwise. During her keynote, Amy Bowers Cordalis shared how her people, the Yurok, fought for generations to protect the Klamath River, its salmon and other beings, and their innate rights to steward their ancestral lands and waters—and they finally succeeded in removing the dams choking the life out of the Klamath River. The Yurok were connected to their past, but also committed to a future vision, and they made that vision a reality. It is an example of the power in having a vision to work toward. 

Curious about these funnily-named genres and where to explore potential visions of a sustainable future? For years, Grist has curated a collection of short stories envisioning sustainable futures. Reading this material can help strengthen our “science fictional behavior” muscles, as adrienne maree brown urges, and just may get you excited about the possible.  

The Get Inspired section features an interview or profile with a UO staff, faculty, student, or alum making a difference on campus and beyond. 

Lillian and daughter Evelyn geared up for an e-bike adventure, rain or shine.

Q: How long have you worked at UO, and what’s your favorite thing about working here?

 

I started my current position with University Housing in 2021, but I’ve had a strong connection to UO my entire life. Both my father and grandfather worked as staff for the UO, my mother is an English Department alum, and I earned my Architecture degree here in 2009. I have so many layers of personal and family history here that I get a strong sense of belonging and continuity wherever I go on campus. My favorite thing about my job is how it allows me to be directly involved in the evolution of campus spaces, because I know how significant the role our environment plays in shaping our life experiences. For many of our students, campus is home, and the opportunity to support those students through their environment is meaningful to me.

 

Q: At a high level, how would you describe the work you do with University Housing? What aspects do you focus on specifically in your role as Director of Housing Capitol Construction?

 

I lead capital construction and improvement projects for University Housing, managing everything from planning and design through construction and final furnishing. On any given day I might be reviewing construction drawings for a major renovation, meeting with architects and contractors on an active build, or sitting with students to understand what they need from a space before we break ground. We currently manage a portfolio of roughly 94 active projects ranging from small furniture replacements to multi-million dollar renovations. One of my favorite parts of the role is running a student practicum office where student employees get hands-on experience in design and project management, connecting the built environment directly to the educational mission.

ABOVE: Lillian inside a crane cab overlooking Hayward Field during a construction site visit.

BELOW: Lillian and colleagues with a bird’s eye view from the tower crane overlooking the construction of Yasui and New Residence Hall. 

Q: What inspires you to stay engaged in this work?

 

Watching projects come to life, from something that exists only in our imagination to a place where thousands of students eat, sleep, and build community, is genuinely satisfying. But what sustains me day-to-day is the people I work with and for.  Recently, our team led a student mural initiative called Flourishing by Art, which brought student artists into Housing facilities across campus. Seeing the vast number of people who collaborated to get those art pieces up, hearing the response from students and leadership, and knowing that capital construction could be a vehicle for that kind of joy is deeply motivating. It reminded me that this work is about more than infrastructure.

 

Q: What’s one attainable dream you have for the Student Housing department?

 

I want Housing to develop a fully integrated sustainability framework woven into every project we touch. This would not just be the large ones required to meet LEED Gold standards, but every renovation, every furniture replacement, every repair. Last summer we salvaged materials from Hamilton Hall in partnership with BRING Recycling, and that felt like a glimpse of what this could look like at scale. It took a lot of thought, resourcefulness, and connection to the community. The goal is for sustainability to be a value embedded in how we plan, procure, and maintain from day one. I think we're closer to that than people might realize.

 

Q: Okay, enough about work. What’s a fun fact (or two or three) about you?

 

-  I serve on the UO Board of Trustees in the non-faculty staff seat, which means I occasionally get to weigh in on university decisions that have nothing to do with drywall.

 

-  I've presented at national housing conferences on topics ranging from sustainable purchasing to academic-residential partnerships, and I still get nervous before I go on.

 

- My daughter, Evelyn, and I are learning to get around Eugene by e-bike, which in Oregon means we’re becoming experts in rain gear. She's only two and already the most enthusiastic rider I know.

 

 

 

 

ABOVE: Lillian and her daughter Evelyn, ready for a rainy day ride on their e-bike. Helmets on, spirits high.

Transportation Services has completed the replacement of the electric vehicle (EV) chargers at the Millrace Garage, following repeated incidents of cable theft and vandalism that rendered the previous units inoperable. The repair process took longer than expected due to a lack of theft‑resistant options on the market, until recently...

The University uses ChargePoint equipment, which released a new generation of chargers featuring cut‑resistant cords and an integrated alarm system. According to Transportation Services Director Dave Reesor, these upgrades are designed to better deter theft and significantly reduce replacement costs. Unlike earlier models, which required replacing the entire head unit when cords were damaged, the new design allows cords to be swapped out independently, saving both time and resources.

The University was able to install the new equipment using an ODOT rebate, offsetting much of the replacement cost.

Community members and EV advocates, including volunteers from the Emerald Valley Electric Vehicle Association, have expressed relief and optimism. Frequent theft had made it harder to encourage local businesses and property owners to adopt charging infrastructure. Improved durability and easier maintenance are expected to support broader efforts to expand EV access across the region.

Transportation Services will continue monitoring performance of the upgraded equipment over time. 

Curious about the Sustainable Labs program but not sure where to start or if it's a fit for your lab? Join the program team on Monday April 6, 10am-12pm, Willamette Hall 149, for a direct consultation about the program. The UO's Sustainable Labs program is designed to be modular and flexible to meet your unique needs, and we will help you target the best starting point for your specific lab. Come on by for coffee, cookies, and consultation! 

This event is part of OVPRI’s campuswide Week of Research and Innovation, which features events suitable for everyone from established PIs to curious undergraduates. Some additional highlights that may interest you include Collaborative Research in Disaster Resilience, Research Revealed: A Science Communication Showcase, CAS Social Impact Forum, and a public talk and reading from former US Poet Laureate, Ada Limón! Explore the Schedule 

En Garde! Surplus has fencing jackets (Tae Kwon Do gear too!). These jackets are incredible for when you need to have a polite-but-violent tete-a-tete or to protect your sensitive flesh during your annual spring blackberry removal project.

instagram.com/uo_surplus

Start treasure hunting today! 

547 Q St store - Mon–Wed, 10 AM–5:20 PM

Faculty/staff hours at Romania warehouse - Fridays 10am-1pm and by appointment

University of Oregon's Watershed Cafe

1. Avoid meat 

2. Eat everything on your plate 

3. Choose to use reusable dishware and silverware 

4. Compost 

 

While all of these actions are valuable, the top answer is #2, “eat everything on your plate” because food waste is a massive source of carbon pollution (aka, greenhouse gas emissions). To start, the creation of food for consumption is energy-intensive, meaning that if the food is waste so is all that energy that went into getting it to your lunch. Further, food waste that ends in the landfill releases methane, a particularly potent and longlasting greenhouse gas.  According to a 2021 study from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “EPA estimated that each year, U.S. food loss and waste embodies 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (million MTCO2e) GHG emissions (excluding landfill emissions) - equal to the annual CO2 emissions of 42 coal-fired power plants. This estimate does not include the significant methane emissions from food waste rotting in landfills. EPA data show that food waste is the single most common material landfilled and incinerated in the U.S., comprising 24 and 22 percent of landfilled and combusted municipal solid waste, respectively.” Hopefully this information will give you just a bit more motivation to eat your leftovers!  

Rachel McDonald, KLCC

A recent KLCC segment highlights two major environmental developments shaping the region. One focuses on a proposed climate retail tax in Eugene, modeled on Portland’s Clean Energy Fund. The initiative would require billion‑dollar national retailers that operate locally to contribute a small percentage of their gross profits to a fund supporting clean energy and community justice projects. Advocates emphasize that while no one enjoys tax increases, this measure is designed to ensure major corporations help offset their carbon footprint and provide Eugene with the resources needed to meet its long‑standing climate action commitments.

The episode also examines Benton County’s decision to halt the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte landfill after years of environmental concerns and strong community opposition. The coverage explores the political and social shifts that made this reversal possible and highlights the role of sustained public engagement in influencing major environmental policy decisions.

 

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

Restrictions at some Oregon beaches went into effect on March 15 as the nesting season for the threatened western snowy plover begins.

The small birds nest in dry sand above the high tide line, and their diminutive size and camouflaging coloration make them hard to spot.

"One small step could really wipe out an entire family,” said Oregon Parks and Recreation Department spokesperson Mike Baden. “So we have some areas that we have restricted. They’re roped off, and there’s signage. We just need the public to really respect those areas and steer clear."

Restrictions are in place at 15 beaches statewide. Western snowy plovers do not migrate, according to Baden, which makes choosing the beaches where restrictions are needed easier.

Western snowy plovers were first given protection in 1993, when their counted population dropped to 45 breeding adults. The latest survey spotted 546.

Millrace Natural Area Restoration Day

(April 11th; 10:00am-1:00pm)

 

Join assistant Natural Areas Steward Sophia Beffert for our first restoration day of Spring term! Meet in front of Wilkinson House. Bring weather-appropriate clothes and closed-toe shoes. We will bring the snacks, coffee and tools!

 

 

Biodiversity Bioblitz (Apr. 25th; 10:00am-1:00pm)

With City Nature Challenge

 

Join an international community science effort to document the wildlife and plants of the UO Natural Areas!  Join one of the Natural Areas Program nature walks or find species on your own! No experience necessary – experts will be on hand to help identify the diverse, exciting species that you find. Meet in front of Wilkinson House.

Join us on Tuesday, April 21, from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the EMU Amphitheater for Sustainafest, the annual student‑run, Earth Day celebration! This lively festival brings together campus groups and community partners for an afternoon filled with hands‑on activities, interactive displays, and opportunities to learn how to live more sustainably. Come explore, connect, and celebrate Earth Day with the student leaders who help make it happen! 

 

 

The Office of Sustainability offers monthly walking tours of sustainability features and practices at the Eugene campus. Tours occur monthly, and attendees learn about infrastructure, academic programs, and student groups, among other topics. The next tour will be on Friday, April 24 from 11:10-12:10 pm. Meet at the Unthank Student Welcome Center. 

A look back at moments from WOHESC, where students, faculty, and sustainability leaders came together to explore climate justice, collective action, and community‑centered solutions across higher education. Featuring a mix of images from the official WOHESC photo collection and photos shared by UO attendees.

Images from WOHESC 2026

Have a UO or Eugene/Springfield-related delight or a story idea to share? Send to sstoeckl@uoregon.edu.