October 2026

Weber State Sustainability Home

Dear Weber State University Community: Have you been thinking about making a home upgrade, but you were not quite sure where to start? Are your energy bills getting higher, but your home still isn't comfortable? The Weber State Sustainability Home Team is here to help you reduce energy costs and future-proof your home. Services include weatherization assessments, solar feasibility reviews, and electrification planning, with hands-on guidance on qualifying incentives.

Connect with our team to schedule your consultation and take the next step toward a more efficient home.

Meet SPARC's New Student Staff

A new Student Climate and Energy Coordinator, a non-traditional student named Gabby Correa, has excitedly joined us at the Weber State Sustainability Home! According to Gabby, she is “enjoying the Fall semester so far, the new things she’s been learning, and the opportunities she's been given as a wonderful adventure.” When she started her journey here at Weber State, she wanted to push herself to explore her passion for space by majoring in Astrophysics, but through a combination of introspection and overcoming life challenges, she discovered within herself a passion for understanding people around her and strengthening her relationship with nature. After a sabbatical, she came back to Weber State to major in Sociology and minor in Environmental Studies. Along the way, she realigned her priorities— aiming for more meaningful and intentional congruence in being her natural and genuine self in hopes of mutually benefiting from the world around her, and finding fulfillment in her everyday life. She explains, “I can thankfully say with confidence that, at this point, things are feeling wonderful, exciting, and I am looking forward to the many ways to connect my community to the natural world around them in harmony.”

Camelia Becerril, who also goes by Lia, is bringing her passion for environmental policy back to her hometown as the WSU Community Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator. Born and raised in Ogden, Utah, Lia attended Ogden High School before completing her undergraduate degree in Geography at Weber State University. She is currently in her second year of her master’s program in environmental policy through Bard College in New York. In her new role at WSU, Lia works in partnership with Ogden City’s Sustainability Department to inform the local community about the upcoming launch of the Community Clean Energy Program (CCEP) in January 2027. She also presents and consults for organizations on the HEAT bill assistance program to support broader community participation in clean energy and sustainable initiatives. Camelia’s dedication to sustainability extends well beyond her policy work. She grows roughly 1,000 heads of hydroponic lettuce every week for the Ogden Produce Company, tends to her own home garden, and tackles DIY home renovation projects in her spare time. Driven by a desire to reshape systemic structures that prioritize greed over sustainability, Camelia views environmental policy as a vital tool for protecting natural systems in ways that keep communities healthy and prosperous. While her background is rooted in Western United States water law, her focus is expanding into energy policy as she launches her professional career in Ogden. She looks forward to helping the WSU community thrive and invites any Ogden residents interested in learning more about the CCEP to reach out!

Environmental Initiatives Committee

Did you know that the Sustainability Practices and Research Center (SPARC) and the Environmental Initiatives Committee (EIC) work closely on sustainability projects at Weber State? This fall, the committee—consisting of students, faculty, staff, and administrators—is hosting regular discussions on multiple projects the two groups plan to carry out. Currently, we are holding conversations on the idea of a biodiverse campus -an international movement that reaches much farther than Weber State University.
Earthwatch has an excellent article on having a biodiverse campus, and Campus Biodiversity Network offers context to the problem and creates a sense of belonging to other universities dedicated to having a sustainable campus. Generally speaking, a biodiverse campus could include things such as rewilding, letting native plants flourish, providing habitat for pollinators and birds, encouraging rain gardens, and much more. Part of this discussion also includes a plan to mitigate bird collisions with windows on campus and in the community.
Based on research conducted by students and Dr. John Cavitt, Brady Distinguished Professor of Zoology, the project can help make the campus a safer place for birds of all kinds passing through it.
Watch for more information in the upcoming months, as the committee is also discussing a concept known as “Restorative Campuses,” which involves creating soothing and restorative outdoor spaces conducive to mental health and well-being. We're very fortunate to study and work on such a beautiful campus, and perhaps there are ways to enhance existing spaces and create new ones.
If you're interested in participating or have ideas on any of the above, or other ideas about sustainability on campus that you think the committee should consider, please reach out to EIC Co-Chairs Hal Crimmel at hcrimmel@weber.edu or Abe Smith at abrahamsmith@weber.edu.

Remember to Register to Vote!

Here at Weber State University, we care deeply about uplifting and encouraging our students, faculty, staff, and other community members to be more active citizens, and one way to do that is by registering to vote. By registering to vote, you gain the opportunity to chime in on national priorities and seek transparency from political representatives. Every vote counts (yes, each one) in our current political climate, and we hope that you choose to register if you are able to.

Unsure who to vote for? See how to make an informed, thoughtful decision to uplift your community here.

Sustainable Clubs Highlight

The Community Garden is a student-managed garden located behind the Employee Wellness Annex on the north side of the Ogden Campus, maintained by the Community Garden Coordinator and participating Garden Club members. Alia Lawson, the Community Garden Coordinator and Garden Club President, started working in the Energy & Sustainability Office in April, just in time for the summer growing season. A new shed, pavers, native plants, flowers, and a compost bin were added over the summer, which were great additions to keep the garden looking nice along with the flourishing garden beds.

The garden produced a large variety of herbs and vegetables such as oregano, sage, mint, beans, carrots, onions, cucumbers, peppers, and squash. As of August 28th, over 180 pounds of produce was harvested and either donated to the Weber Cares Pantry or the Weber Fridge, a local non-profit. There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved with the community garden and the Garden Club. Sign up for upcoming events such as a Red Butte Garden tour and Garden Overwintering on GivePulse. Email gardenclub@weber.edu or alialawson@weber.edu if you are interested in joining the Garden Club!

Free Swap

Join us for Weber State's Annual Free Swap on November 10th and 11th! Bring your gently used items you would like to donate to Shepherd Union Ballroom A from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10th. Bring a reusable bag on Wednesday, November 11th, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and take home some great free items. Last year, the Free Swap was able to prevent over 3,200 pounds of merchandise from being sent to a landfill, with 2,600 pounds going back to individuals on campus (for FREE)!

Accepted items:

Backpacks and purses
Bed & bath items
Books & media
Clothing & shoes
Electronics
Exercise & sporting goods
Games & toys
Houseware
Small Appliances
Small furniture

Items we can NOT accept include:

Large appliances
Automobile parts
Construction materials
Damaged furniture
Flammable or hazardous materials
Food
Infant products
Mattresses
TV & computer monitors
Weapons

Join us this year to see what unique items you can find! Visit the GivePulse for more information and to sign up to volunteer.

Green Badge Program

Participate in the Green Badge Program and start earning your badges today!

September’s Green Badge is “Social Sustainability”.  Learn more about ways to engage with and support the growth of a more sustainable community.

4 people earned September’s “Air Quality” Badge. Way to go!

Green Team Update

Join a Green Team today! The Green Department Program is for faculty and staff to learn ways to make their departments or offices more sustainable. Green Teams work together to earn points and recognition by implementing change and taking actions outlined in a Green Team checklist.

Updates: No updates as of 9/24/26.

V4.0 has been postponed until department and office changes settle down.

ISS: Call for Speaker Proposals

Join us in shaping the 18th annual Intermountain Sustainability Summit (ISS)! Our call for Speaker Proposals is open now for the 2027 ISS, with the theme, Start Where You Are: Sparking Systemic Change in a Changing World. Starting where we are means recognizing the challenges and opportunities within our environmental, social, and political contexts as we navigate our rapidly changing world. It also means celebrating the growing movement of people actively deploying and scaling effective solutions.

We want to hear from those who created ripples that transformed a community, a state, or even the world by taking action right where they were or by refreshing their approach. Whether you’re a sustainability professional, city planner, community organizer, engineer, architect, communicator, renewable energy developer, or leading in your field, tell us how your ideas, partnerships, or innovations are sparking systemic change.

Review the Speaker Proposal guide to help you prepare your submission.

Submit your proposal by Friday, October 23.

Note: Submitting a proposal does not guarantee an opportunity to speak at the ISS. Each proposal is reviewed and evaluated by our advisory committee. Spots are limited, and we hope you'll be one of them!

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

Food Recoveries
Starbucks, Shepherd Union Building
Tuesday, October 9
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Volunteer here

Weber State Sustainability Home Open House
Weber State Sustainability Home
Tuesday, October 13
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Learn more

Weber State Sustainability Home Open House
Weber State Sustainability Home
Thursday, October 15
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Learn more

Wildcats Go Zero Waste-Football
Stewart Stadium
Saturday, October 17
12:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Volunteer here

Garden Club: Fall Bed Cleanout and Overwinter Plantings
3650 Taylor Ave, Ogden
Monday, October 20
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sign up here

News & Resources

What is social sustainability? | ADEC ESG

Social Sustainability & Business Impact | Carbon Complete

Increasing Importance of Sustainability on Campus Among Prospective Students | Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education

How to Have an Eco-Friendly Fall: Simple Sustainable Tips | EcoBlvd

How does voting affect climate change? | Environmental Voter Project

Resource: Sustainable Halloween Costumes: Haunting Impact