*Please note: we are in the process of transferring and retiring the uwbeerc.org website. Please check this website for the most up-to-date info. Thanks for your patience!
Overview
The Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement (Collaborative/CoSEE) is a university-led research and learning unit that operates at the Environmental Education and Research Center (EERC) in Saint Edward State Park (SESP). The Collaborative hosts interdisciplinary and equity-centered place-based research and learning programs in the Bothell-Kenmore-Kirkland surrounding region with a broad reach to the surrounding urban communities.
The Faculty Oversight Committee provides oversight and decision-making on fiscal, personnel and programmatic matters.
Upcoming events & programs
Our mission
CoSEE’s mission is accomplished through UW-partnered undergraduate field study, community-engaged research experiences and place-based creative practices, youth and family outreach, community science programs, and co-curricular partnerships with K-12 schools.
Community engagement
Through partnerships with the local community, including nature walks with Washington State Parks and our 101 Program Series, we offer youth, family, and community science programs, as well as school collaborations, providing hands-on experiences with local ecosystems. We collaborate with partners like Friends of Saint Edward State Park, FHNA, the Alyssa Burnett Center, local schools, and agencies to offer a variety of public partnership opportunities, including:
- Co-hosting events and workshops
- Community-engaged research and citizen science intitiatives
- Developing K-12 educational programs and outdoor learning experiences
- Supporting conservation and restoration projects
If you’re interested in partnering with CoSEE, contact us at cosee@uw.edu to explore opportunities for impactful, place-based learning experiences!
Research
CoSEE supports interdisciplinary research around supporting just and thriving socio-ecological systems, focusing on sustainability, environmental justice and community resilience. Through participatory research, education and outreach, CoSEE brings together scientists, educators and local stakeholders to develop solutions that promote ecological health and social well-being in the region.
Location
CoSEE is housed at the Environmental Education and Research Center (EERC). The EERC is a dedicated and recently renovated 2,700 square foot facility located within the boundaries of Saint Edward State Park (SESP), on the northeast shore of Lake Washington and approximately six miles from the UW Bothell campus. This recently renovated facility in the gym annex of the lodge at SESP was built with learning and sustainability in mind and includes a 2,000 square-foot classroom and office space and a 700 square-foot open learning area adjacent to the indoor space.
Saint Edward State Park (SESP) is a highly visited Urban Gateway Park near UW Bothell. It features diverse ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, streams, and the lake’s longest undeveloped shoreline. With over 800,000 annual visitors, the park serves as a prime location for outdoor education, community research, and environmental outreach. Its proximity to urban areas makes it a vital natural space amid the growing Northshore region.
Questions?
For general inquiries related to day-to-day organization, structure and planning for CoSEE, contact us at cosee@uw.edu. As the CoSEE team grows, so does our space, our events and our list of community resources. Stay connected!
Recent News
Stories that turn climate anxiety into hope
Jan 16, 2025
Students in a Discovery Core class harness the power of storytelling to teach ecology to the next generation.
read the article to learn more about the power of storytelling
Dr. Veronica Cassone McGowan named inaugural director of new UW Bothell research center
Jan 9, 2025
CoSEE advances our understanding of the dynamic connections between ecological systems and social systems.
read the article and learn more about Dr. McGowan
Fostering diverse pathways to green jobs
Aug 30, 2024
The Environmental Careers Preparedness program welcomes high school students to learn about the range, impacts and diversity of green career pathways.
read the article and learn more about green pathways
When a park becomes a classroom
Apr 12, 2024
Students conduct research with an eye for conserving biodiversity in urban green spaces in their first-ever class at the EERC.
Read the article and learn more about their research
Inspiring communities to connect with nature
Mar 25, 2024
When Susan Carlson looks back on her career in the environmental field, she sees three big influences: her mother, her father and Mother Nature.
read the article and learn more about susan's experience