CLC 3 Gabby Laipenieks
The Climate Leadership Certificate provides the training and experience needed for students to apply a variety of skills to critical work in climate action and justice, as well as other vital areas of sustainability, including social justice, economic vitality, and well-being. Throughout the one-and-a-half year program, students engage in curriculum targeted at sustainability literacy, planning, and leadership, while also participating in hands-on practicum work with a variety of sustainability organizations in Whatcom County and the Methow Valley.
About the Certificate Donate 2021-2022 Cohort 2022-2023 Cohort 2023-2024 Cohort
Gabby Laipenieks
I joined the Climate Leadership Certificate Program because I care deeply about the health of communities, and climate justice is absolutely essential to that work. My dream climate-related job would be working with a community-oriented environmental nonprofit or creating land-use policy for the State of Washington or Alaska. I would love to work for and/or with indigenous communities focusing on river restoration. Whatever career I end up in, I want to help people and communities have a high quality of life and to preserve the outdoors for future generations. I’ve been privileged to have many amazing outdoor experiences in my home state of Alaska, and I want future people to have opportunities to learn from nature like I have.
I’m honored to be a part of this cohort of the Climate Leadership Certificate program. I’m looking forward to establishing strong intellectual and personal connections with my cohort and gaining hands-on career experience this coming summer. I’m also excited to better understand what is at stake in Whatcom County in terms of environmental issues.