Community Engagement

The Environmental Studies Program at Washington University in St. Louis engages with many St. Louis initiatives and organizations.

Engagement with Environmental Studies

Through community-engaged courses, a community internship program, faculty research, and collaborative events, we are dedicated to work that lies at the nexus of student learning, faculty expertise, and community impact. Community engagement is one important strategy we use to bring its values of interdisciplinarity, experiential learning, collaboration, community-building, and anti-racism to life. We see our community partners as co-educators of our students, who can provide a invaluable opportunities to understand complex and nuanced perspectives, professional expertise, and real world factors that influence environmental challenges. We are always seeking out opportunties to support and deepen the environmental work of those local, regional and global partners. 

Sustainability Exchange Partners Spring '25

City of Maplewood

Students are exploring sustainable solutions to improve public infrastructure, reduce energy consumption, and enhance safety in residential neighborhoods. Given the city’s commitment to environmental responsibility and cost-effective energy use, this feasibility study examines the potential for installing off-grid solar lighting in residential areas.

Learn more about the Sustainability Exchange
Group of students and community partners standing together

Dutchtown South Community Corporation (DSCC)

For this project, students will geotag dumpster locations using the Arc GIS Field Map mobile app in the DSCC service neighborhoods. Students will also analyze waste service requests, waste service schedules and routes, and vacancy data to understand waste disparities. Students will also explore sustainable solutions to alleyway issues, such as the adoption of green alleys as potential solutions to illegal dumping. The ultimate goal of the project is to provide DSCC with the best available data on waste services in the four neighborhoods and information on possible remedies for improving alleyways in neighborhoods that have experienced historic and ongoing disinvestment.

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City of Ferguson

The project is a comprehensive sustainability initiative focused on enhancing the efficiency and performance of Ferguson's municipal buildings and operations while revitalizing the community and infrastructure of West Florissant Avenue. Once a thriving thoroughfare, West Florissant Avenue has seen a significant decline in business and community vibrancy since the tragic events surrounding Michael Brown’s death and the subsequent civil unrest. This initiative aims to drive positive change within Ferguson, with a strong emphasis on restoring West Florissant Avenue to its former vitality and fostering a renewed sense of community and economic growth.

Learn more about the Sustainability Exchange

Partner with Us

Environmental Studies hosts a Community Engagement Manager as a resource to support faculty, staff, students, and community partners in collaborative, community-engaged environmental work. The Community Engagement Manager can help you:

  •  Think through how to structure a new or existing community-engaged course
  • Apply for funding to develop a course or project
  • Connect with partners on and off campus with complementary interests
  • Figure out if and how your organization can work with WashU Environmental Programs

To learn more, contact Griffin Knipp, Community Engagement Manager for Environmental Studies.

Students

Faculty 

Organizations or Individuals Outside WashU