Do you want to be a part of a sustainability project at OSU's Corvallis campus? Have a project to contribute?

Use this list to check what projects are available and get ideas for your own!
Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, this list is subject to change. Some projects listed can be performed remotely.

The projects in this list offer opportunities for deeper student engagement around sustainability. These projects use the Corvallis campus as a “living lab”, merging education, research and operations to provide students with real-world skills and experience. 

If you have a project to share, please email sustainability@oregonstate.edu to include it in the list.

For service projects with community organizations (off campus), please check out the awesome list of projects with Community Engagement & Leadership!

Project List by Topic

Project Description Contact Volunteers Needed Start Date Estimated Duration
ADA Restroom Access Assessment Assess and record restroom conditions and accessibility (full stalls, handles etc.). Leticia Cavazos - Sustainability Office 1 min, 6 max Flexible 6-10 hours
Project Description Contact Volunteers Needed Start Date Estimated Duration
Corvallis Consumption GHG Help estimate or measure greenhouse gas emissions from consumption of food, goods and materials in the Corvallis community. Work with the Corvallis Climate Action Advisory Board and City staff to produce estimates. Brandon Trelstad - Sustainability Office 1 min, 4 max Variable, depending on partner organization availability. At least 1 month notice required.  2-3 quarters
Waste reduction outreach Join the Waste Watchers club at their weekly meetings (to plan events and marketing) or volunteer at one of their many activities (staffing events, tabling, etc.). Andrea Norris - Campus Recycling 1 min, 10 max Ongoing except summer 1-4 hours

 

Project Description Contact Volunteers Needed Start Date Estimated Duration
Solar Panel Washing and Output Study Visually inspect equipment and wiring, wash the solar panels, and analyze real time monitoring to see if washing the panels improves solar production. Brandon Trelstad - Sustainability Office 3 min, 10 max Ongoing 2-6 hours
Heat Recovery Analysis Assess and calculate feasibility of rebuilding existing HVAC heat recovery systems on campus. Determine where best to install new heat recovery systems. Brandon Trelstad - Sustainability Office 1 min, 2 max Flexible 1-3 quarters
Burning Renewable Fuels in OSU Energy Center Conduct economic analysis of available fuels and price points for supplying a meaningful amount of renewable fuel (liquid or gas) to the OSU Energy Center.  Brandon Trelstad - Sustainability Office 1 min, 2 max Flexible 1 quarter
Project Description Contact Volunteers Needed Start Date Estimated Duration
OSU Food Pantry Garden Parties Seasonal garden tasks to support organic produce grown for the OSU Food Pantry. Tasks may include planting starts, weeding, harvesting, watering, turning compost, mulching, preparing seed tape, etc. Eric Beeler - Community Engagement & Leadership 1 min, 15 max Ongoing 1-2 hours
Solar Crop Production Research Plant sampling, soil moisture studies, irrigation of small crop plots, plant pathology, mulch study. Chad Higgins - CBEE 1 min, 2 max Spring quarter 1 quarter
Project Description Contact Volunteers Needed Start Date Estimated Duration
Bioswale Cleanup Remove invasive species and weeds from bioswales throughout campus. Sustainability Office 3 min, 15 max Ongoing 2-4 hours
Oak Creek Cleanup Riparian area invasive species removal (blackberries and ivy). Sustainability Office 3 min, 7 max Ongoing 2-4 hours
Solar Field Cleanup Invasive species removal in and around large solar arrays (blackberries and ivy). Sustainability Office 3 min, 7 max Ongoing 2-4 hours
Project Description Contact Volunteers Needed Start Date Estimated Duration
Repair Fairs Offer a fix it skill, host a D.I.Y. demo, or serve in an event support role (greeter, photographer, etc.) John Deuel - Campus Recycling 1 min, 10 max Once per academic term 1-4 hours
Waste reduction outreach Join the Waste Watchers club at their weekly meetings (to plan events and marketing) or volunteer at one of their many activities (staffing events, tabling, etc.). John Deuel - Campus Recycling 1 min, 10 max Ongoing except summer 1-4 hours