Warren Wilson College Gains Momentum in Year Two of the Climate Action Now Initiative

Warren Wilson College is deepening its commitment to climate leadership as it enters the second year of the Climate Action Now (CAN) Initiative, a bold, multi-year effort to embed climate action into every aspect of campus life—from academics and research to operations and community engagement.

Launched in Fall 2024, Climate Action Now represents the College’s first-ever campus-wide initiative dedicated to confronting the climate crisis through collaboration, creativity, and applied learning. The initiative is guided by four core goals: protecting land and biodiversity, expanding research and outreach, leading by example as a sustainable organization, and educating the next generation of climate leaders.

Building Momentum in Year One

The first year of the CAN Initiative set a strong foundation for campus-wide engagement and measurable impact.

• The College hosted its first Climate Summit, bringing more than 300 people to campus and connecting students, faculty, and community partners with leaders in sustainability, conservation, and climate research.
• Two new student work crews were launched: the Climate Action Planning and Operations Crew (or “Cappies” informally), supervised by MACS Fellow Sarah McMullen, and the Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Crew, supervised by MACS Fellow Fae Elkin. The Climate Action Planning crew focuses on tracking greenhouse gas emissions, studying carbon sequestration, and supporting the revision of the Climate Action Plan (CAP), while the Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Crew engages in community and climate resilience and recovery, post-Helene.
• The Center for Working Lands (CWL) and Master of Applied Climate Studies (MACS) program forged deeper collaborations, linking classroom learning with field-based research and operational sustainability projects.
• Faculty and staff began incorporating climate action into teaching, mentoring, and departmental initiatives, further aligning Warren Wilson’s academic mission with its environmental values.

“The most inspiring outcome of Climate Action Now has been the collaboration it’s sparked across every corner of campus,” said Dr. Siti Kusujiarti, who leads the initiative in partnership with CWL and the MACS program. “Faculty, staff, and students are not just talking about sustainability—they’re working together to put climate action into practice, from dorms to the classroom to the farm.”

Launching Innovation in Year Two

Now in its second year, Climate Action Now is expanding its reach through four new goals outlined in the CAN 2025–26 Overview, including the launch of the Climate Action Now Innovation Grants. These grants support faculty, staff, and students who are developing creative, climate-focused projects that advance the College’s commitment to sustainability and resilience.

Eight Innovation Grant recipients have been selected this year, funded by the Tracy H. Dickinson Foundation and other generous donors:

• Amanda Morales and the Department of Housing & Residence Life: EcoDorm LLC – Cultivating Climate Action through Sustainable Living and Student Engagement
• Professor Christopher Potvin and Willow Solomon: Graph-Based Weather Regime Detection
• Doug Bradley and Maeve Williams: A Home with Purpose: Student Innovation in Post-Disaster Sustainable Housing
• Professor Jen Mozolic and Yso Ashworth: Student Success and Community Resilience after Extreme Weather Events
• Professors Kathryn Cellerini Moore and Charlotte Taylor: Art and Craft Program Initiative for Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration
• Professor Kim Borges, Vincent Grossi, and Chris Irish: Composting of Livestock Manure and Food Waste at Warren Wilson College After Hurricane Helene
• Professors Patrick Ciccotto, Amy Boyd, and Liesl Erb: Restoration of American Water Willow (Justicia americana) in the Swannanoa River
• Professors Yuemei Zhang, Eric Griffin, and team: Studying the Impact of Treefall Caused by Helene on Forest Soil Carbon Sequestration and CO₂ Respiration

A Testing Ground for Climate Solutions

With new partnerships, research projects, and applied learning opportunities emerging each semester, Climate Action Now continues to evolve as a model for how small colleges can drive meaningful climate action at scale.

As the initiative moves forward, faculty and staff are invited to explore ways to participate and collaborate. The CAN 2025–26 Overview outlines this year’s goals and opportunities for engagement.

At Warren Wilson College, climate action isn’t a side project—it’s a shared responsibility and a defining part of what it means to learn, work, and lead in this community.