College of Design

With an uncertain climate future on the horizon, the Pacific Northwest in recent years has experienced a surge in wildfires. The effects of wildfires are felt both physically and mentally, with weeks of hazardous air quality during summer and even smokey days into the fall. These fire events are becoming more frequent and intense thanks to record heat waves and dry summers and winters. 

At the College of Design, there is a "rare" opportunity for graduating students and alumni looking to gain professional experience and make a difference in Oregon's rural communities. The Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program, an AmeriCorps program administered through the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE), has been engaging and working alongside rural communities since 1994 to improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions.