
We are also fortunate to have a recent history of finding ways to work together to solve common problems. Though it may not always feel that way to us, we are looked at as a national and international model for using collaborative processes, methods and tools to address policy challenges. Our region is home to many talented practitioners and numerous case studies of stakeholders, governments and others sitting down to work out important issues based on the needs of all involved, rather than individual advantage.
Finally, we are fortunate to have community and academic leaders, faculty and staff who understand the value and importance of ensuring that the myriad assets available at the State’s two research universities—the University of Washington and Washington State University—are used to support informed and collaborative public policy decision-making. Those assets come together at the William D. Ruckelshaus Center.
Through its Advisory Board and other forums, the Ruckelshaus Center provides a venue for community leaders from across geographic, political and other sectors to interact with university leaders, policy makers, faculty, staff and each other, to identify opportunities for making progress on important issues. The Center responds by assembling teams from the Universities to provide applied research, fact-finding, facilitation, mediation, project management, training and other services that help make collaborative approaches possible.
The Center takes its vision from that of its founder and Advisory Board Chair Emeritus, William D. Ruckelshaus, and strives to maintain a level of focus and clarity that matches his own. For us, it’s all about promoting and preserving the quality of life in our treasured part of the world by fostering collaborative solutions that are more satisfying and longer-lasting. We hope you will join us in that effort.
Michael Kern
Director
The William D. Ruckelshaus Center