SLC NEWS UPDATES
The Public Workshop Series (PWS) brings our community together to learn, connect, and explore practical ways to save energy, live healthier, and conserve our resources. Our 2026–2027 workshop lineup is finally here! Join us as knowledgeable experts and passionate enthusiasts share their skills, ideas, and inspiration on topics they love. All SLC workshops are open to the public and offered on a “Pay as You Can” basis. Registration is required so we can plan for space and materials.
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Ready to join us? Click on a workshop date to learn more and register!
Garden Tune-Up Workshop
Join award-winning garden designer Kate Frey in turning your existing garden into a water-wise, pollinator friendly paradise. This workshop will cover site analysis, hydrozoning, weed prevention, choosing a mulch, plant choice, and care.
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Waste Wise Workshop
Join SLC’s Executive Director, Erendira Cruz, on a resource tour across Walla Walla! Attend a presentation on the methods and benefits of personal waste reduction. Then explore local efforts to reduce waste with visits to Builders ReSupply, the landfill, and BIG Recyclers!
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Closet Conscious Workshop
Bring your pre-loved clothes to a presentation on consuming clothing in an ethical and enviro-friendly way. Workshop includes a hands-on mending lesson and a clothing swap with Whitman College students Leah Barnes and Sofia Maldonado.
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Green Thumb Basics Mini Series Workshops
Join award-winning garden designer Kate Frey and SLC staff in a mini-series of must-know gardening skills!
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Plant Propagation: Sat. March 13, 9 am - 11 am Composting: Tue. March 23, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Drip Irrigation: Sat. April 10, 9 am - 11 am
All About Mushrooms Workshop
Join Sundown Hazen of Chesed Farms in exploring the fascinating world of mushrooms! We’ll cover cultivation, foraging, the benefits of mushrooms, cooking with mushrooms, the gourmet mushroom industry, innovative uses of mushrooms, and the story of Chesed Farms.
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Keeping it Local Workshop
Join the SLC for a panel discussion featuring local business owners & community advocates in exploring the benefits of supporting WW businesses. Ask questions, gain insights into buying local, and learn strategies to make local purchasing part of your life.
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Make-it-Yourself Mini Series Workshops
This popular food focused mini-series returns with farmer Jenn, leading the fun hands-on series with resources, inspiration, and know-how!
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Fermentation: Tue. Feb. 2, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Preserves: Tue. Feb. 9, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Pickling: Tue. Feb. 16, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Bread Making: Tue. Feb. 23, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Low Water Landscaping Workshop
Join Dave Stockdale, retired nonprofit leader, educator, and passionate gardener, to learn the principles of water-efficient landscapes, get feedback on your draft landscape design and tour his garden in the second session!
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Presentation: Wed. May 26, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Garden Tour: Sat. June 12, 9 am - 11 am
The SLC's WWV Farm to School program is seeking individual(s) to join our Garden Education Manager (GEM) team in the vital role of planning, coordinating, and delivering garden programming in an elementary school setting and caring for school gardens in Walla Walla and/or Milton-Freewater elementary school(s) on a part-time or full-time, ongoing basis. The role’s primary focus is to engage students in garden and garden related lessons/activities. GEMs are responsible for their school garden(s) and are instrumental in promoting the benefits of school gardens to students, parents and staff, and building excitement around garden efforts. Additionally, GEMs support awareness and community building outside of the school/school garden setting, including conducting outreach, hosting workshops, assisting with Farm Field Trips and similar activities. Click here to learn more or to apply today!
The SLC is looking for a Energy Services Intake Specialist. The Intake specialist will field incoming participant calls and, as applicable, register them into the Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP). This person plays a crucial role in the success of our energy efficiency program by serving as the first point of contact for participants. This is a part time position, which involves managing initial participant interactions, gathering essential information, and ensuring a smooth onboarding process. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, efficient, and participant-focused. Click here to learn more or to apply today!
We’re excited to share great news for anyone considering going solar this year. Thanks to the generosity of our anonymous solar donors, the Sustainable Living Center is once again able to offer substantial rebates to help local households make the switch to clean energy.
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For 2026, SLC is providing a $3,000 rebate for qualifying solar installations. Homeowners who choose to add a battery backup system—an excellent option for increased resilience and energy independence—can receive an additional $1,500, bringing the total incentive to $4,500. Although the federal tax credit has sunset, Washington State’s sales tax exemption on solar systems is still in place, helping to further lower the overall cost of going solar.
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Don’t let your solar dreams fade—this is a great year to take the leap toward clean, renewable power. Contact us today at (509) 524-5218 or info@slcww.org to learn more and get registered for the 2026 solar rebate program!
The SLC's 2025–2027 Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) has been funded. Program participants must be registered with CEEP and follow all required steps through the CEEP process to receive incentives. Please note that incentives cannot be applied retroactively to upgrades completed outside of this process.
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HEAR Funding Is Fully Subscribed
As of Tuesday, July 7, all available funding for the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program has been fully subscribed by program participants who were previously registered. Although funding has been reserved, the Sustainable Living Center (SLC) is still finalizing its contract with the Washington State Department of Commerce and has not yet begun issuing HEAR rebates.
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What This Means
Effective immediately, SLC is no longer accepting new HEAR registrations. We encourage you to apply through our Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP). Funding is still available through CEEP for eligible energy-efficiency upgrades while funds last.
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Interested in Future HEAR Funding?
If you are interested in HEAR funding should additional funds become available in the future, you may ask to be placed on our HEAR waitlist. Please note that joining the waitlist does not guarantee that additional HEAR funding will become available or that you will receive a rebate.​
For questions or to register for CEEP/HEAR please phone us at 509-524-5218 or e-mail ceep@slcww.org.
CEEP Customers click on the icon to the left to upload your documents to the drop box!