Oregon Applied Sustainability Internships
A win-win program that supports environmental workforce development, waste reduction, environmental protection and economic savings.
About OASIS
Since its pilot year in 2017, Oregon Sea Grant and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality have administered the OASIS program through funding from an EPA Pollution Prevention grant. Third- and fourth- year undergraduate students, recent graduates, and graduate students are recruited to conduct research that helps Oregon businesses reach their waste prevention and sustainability goals. Students are located at the business full-time for 11 weeks during the summer. The EPA grant helps offset program costs, and intern stipends are administered by Oregon Sea Grant.
Mission
We aim to enhance and protect the environment, increase economic savings, and cultivate the next generation of sustainability professionals by supporting Oregon businesses in reaching their pollution prevention goals.
Goals
Create collaborative solutions to environmental problems
Help businesses reduce waste, prevent pollution and increase efficiency
Develop Oregon’s environmental workforce through hands-on internships
Produce measurable environmental improvements
Foster an innovative community of practice to prevent pollution
Partnering with businesses and the greater community to achieve change
Since 2017, the OASIS program has driven significant progress in sustainability, helping businesses reduce waste, conserve resources, and adopt environmentally conscious practices. These metrics highlight the measurable change we’ve achieved together through business implementations and recommendations from program interns.
Financial Impact
$13,045,500 in annual business savings
Pollution Reduced
956,093 lbs of solid waste
695,582 lbs of water pollution
695,582 lbs of water pollution
92,201 metric tons of CO2
62,185 lbs of hazardous material use
25,231 lbs air emissions
Resources Conserved
260,073,532 gallons of water
280,423 kWh of electricity
93,395 gallons of chemicals of concern
Sustainable Practices Implemented
8 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) concepts
6 Green Chemistry concepts
9 Chemical Management improvements
5 Safer Choice projects
* Figures based on OASIS recommended process improvements. Updated in 2025.
Our Team
Sarah Kolesar
OASIS Program Administrator
Oregon Sea Grant
Office: 541-737-8695
Lisa Cox
OASIS Program Coordinator
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Office: 503-229-5181
Blaine Schoolfield
OASIS Program Coordinator
Oregon Sea Grant
Office: 541-737-8410
Have questions or want to learn more?
Reach out to us for more information about the OASIS Program. We’re here to help!
Email us at : [email protected]
This project has been funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement US EPA Pollution Prevention Program Grant # NP - 02J91601 - 1 to Oregon Sea Grant. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document.
