Support Students for Ecological Restoration Club at WWU
Ecological restoration is "the process of assisting ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed" (Society for Ecological Restoration). It’s a vital practice for protecting ecosystems for current and future generations, and participating in restoration work also benefits individuals by fostering a sense of purpose, connection, and place.
At Western Washington University, the Ecological Restoration Club connects students with hands-on restoration opportunities in local ecosystems. Our mission is to empower students to actively care for the environment, gain practical experience, and foster a community passionate about sustainability and stewardship.
Why Restoration Matters
- Restoration projects give students a tangible way to make a positive impact, replacing climate-related anxiety with a sense of agency and belonging.
- Even short-term restoration efforts produce measurable ecological benefits, such as improved salmon habitat after just one season.
- Healthy ecosystems support everything from human wellbeing to local economies, making restoration work both socially and ecologically critical.
- Engaging directly in restoration strengthens community connections and deepens personal care for the land.
Your Support Helps Us:
- Fund student-led restoration projects in Sehome Arboretum, a beloved community space adjacent to WWU.
- Reimburse students who carpool to volunteer work parties to offset travel costs.
- Provide food at work parties to increase participation and volunteer retention.
- Compensate guest speakers from professional and academic restoration fields.
- Support student-led research on local ecological restoration initiatives.
With federal funding for environmental causes becoming less consistent, local initiatives like ours rely on grassroots support. Your donation ensures students can continue making meaningful ecological and community impacts.
What We Do
- Hands-on Restoration: Club members frequently remove invasive species, like English Ivy, and plant native species to restore Sehome Arboretum.
- Student Learning & Networking: We host speakers including restoration ecologists, project managers, and scientists, giving students the chance to ask questions and build connections in the field.
- Community Engagement: All members of the community are welcome to join meetings, work parties, and events, fostering collaboration between students and local organizations.
By donating, you help us cultivate a robust community of restoration enthusiasts while improving local ecosystems and empowering the next generation of environmental leaders.
$10
Snacks for small work parties
Provides snacks at work parties with less than 40 volunteers
$25
Fuel reimbursement
Provides fuel reimbursements for carpools to volunteer restoration work parties.
$50
Snacks for large work parties
Provides snacks for work parties with over 40 volunteers
$100
Meal for weekly meeting
Provides students with a meal during our weekly evening meeting
$250
Club restoration projects
Provides funds for invasive species removal in the Sehome Arboretum, and allows us to purchase native plants to replace invasives, ensuring ecological recovery.
$500
Speaker Series
Our speaker series connects students with local organizations and bridges the gap between students and the professional world of ecological restoration. Your funding goes to supporting providing honoraria for notable guest speakers.
$1,000
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
This generous donation supports the long-term vision of our club, impacting hundreds of WWU students in the field of ecological restoration. It also makes you a member of the WWU President's Society, with benefits such as campus parking and events!
