CoSEE Embodies Community in Action

Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that our most profound achievements are rarely solo endeavors; they emerge from the shared voices, talents, and efforts of people united by a common purpose. At the University of Washington Bothell’s Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement (CoSEE), this is not only acknowledged — it is practiced daily.

CoSEE was founded through a community-driven desire to establish a hub of environmental research and learning in one of the few remaining patches of mature forest in our area. The University recognizes that environmental and social issues are deeply interconnected and that addressing them requires collaboration across disciplines and in partnership with the community. Rooted at the Environmental Education and Research Center (EERC) in Saint Edward State Park, CoSEE serves as a hub where students, faculty, educators, local organizations, and residents come together to co-design research, education, and outreach for thriving social and ecological futures.

Advancing Sustainability Across Boundaries

CoSEE’s mission to advance sustainability, ecological literacy, and community resilience connects people across academic, cultural, and geographic boundaries. Whether through participatory research, inclusive education initiatives, or creative, place-based practices, the center nurtures a community where ideas are shared and efforts are multiplied.

This sense of community extends into real-world experience. CoSEE’s internship programs and educational pathways invite students to immerse themselves in meaningful work — from invasive species management and native plant conservation to environmental education and public communication. In these spaces, students do not just gain skills; they become part of an interwoven network of mentors, partners, and neighbors committed to shared goals. In this past year alone, CoSEE has supported over 60 undergraduate research assistants, and our programs and partnerships continue to grow at UW Bothell.

A Strategy for Change

In a world facing complex ecological and social challenges, the power of “like-minded friends and colleagues” becomes more than a poetic idea — it becomes a strategy for change. CoSEE models how communities can be both supportive environments for individuals and generative forces for impactful, shared action.

Just as Thich Nhat Hanh suggests, the community we nourish today does not just support us now — it carries forward into the future. Through collaborative research, creative learning, and meaningful engagement with people and place, CoSEE is building a community that not only responds to current needs but also inspires future generations to act together for the thriving of people and the planet.