Statewide climate justice conference to be held on campus this weekend

Central Washington University students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend a statewide environmental and climate justice coalition conference this weekend on the Ellensburg campus.

The Front and Centered 2023 Members’ Summit, “Soulful Solidarity,” will be held Friday through Sunday, providing an opportunity for members of the CWU community to interact with other local advocates from around the state who are focused on environmental justice and the climate crisis.

The three-day gathering at CWU is designed to foster connections between diverse organizations and communities, while igniting discussions and collaboration around solutions that pave the way for a more just and sustainable world.  

While many of the summit sessions are geared toward coalition members, several discussions and events—including the keynote address—will be open to media, students, and faculty. Most of the events will be held in the SURC, and no pre-registration is required.

The summit’s keynote speaker will be CWU alumna and Yakama National tribal member Elaine Harvey (Wanux'ni), who now serves as a department manager for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Harvey will deliver her address in the SURC Theatre on Friday, November 3, at 7 p.m., and the event is open to the public.

Two of the workshop facilitators for the Front and Centered conference are CWU Sustainability Officer Jeff Bousson and AmeriCorps Sustainability Education Program Specialist and CWU staff member Lily De Young. They will lead a workshop on Saturday, November 4, at 2:30 p.m. titled “Centering Equity Within Central Washington University’s Draft Climate Action Plan.”

Volunteers are also needed. If you are interested, or have questions about the summit, email events@frontandcentered.org.