Just weeks after spring commencement, many of Western’s graduates are spending the summer relaxing, interviewing relentlessly for jobs or adjusting to eight-hour workdays. However, one Western graduate has different plans. He is doing what he loves the most—riding his bike.

Taylor Livingston is raising money for a research project in Guatemala that began last winter, Huxley research associate Rebekah Green said. She said the project works closely with Oxfam International, a group consisting of 13 organizations from three continents, working together to address global issues and promote lasting change.

The organization aims to fight poverty and injustice by connecting communities with the help they need to improve their lives.

“Oxfam asked us to come evaluate and assess community vulnerability in ‘precarious settlements’—informal settlements on steep slopes,” Green said. “We are currently writing up a framework for how to sustainably and safely support development in those settlements.”

Livingston said the project is still in its initial stages, consisting mostly of research. Western students are examining ways to reduce the risks of landslides on the outskirts of Guatemala, where buildings are constructed on steep terrain without proper infrastructure, he said.

“Disasters can be devastating to that area,” said Livingston, who spent his last three quarters at Western working on the project.
Green said despite the excellent researchers and engineers in Guatemala, the problems require a collaborative effort.

“We need as many minds working on this as possible,” Green said. “Together, that can be really powerful.”

Green said students in the planning and environmental policy/hazard mitigation major learn not only about the environmental hazards communities face, but how to help communities plan for and live with those hazards.

Livingston graduated June 13 with a degree in this major from Western’s Huxley College of the Environment.

Livingston is riding his bike from the Canadian border in Blaine to the Mexican border in Baja, Calif.  He began his ride July 1 and will return at the end of August.  His goal is to raise $10,000 for a Huxley project he was involved with for months as a Western student.

Livingston will spend the trip camping at various locations down the west coast. Active Engineering LLC, a company based in Lynnwood, is letting him field test their newest design—an all-in-one waterproof jacket, sleeping bag and tent, called the Jakpak—for his journey.

Livingston said he is excited and worried about the long trip ahead, but has felt an outpouring of support.

“I’ve had moments of nervousness—it comes and goes,” Livingston said. “It’ll definitely be adventurous doing it solo. But I’m looking forward to it. The west coast is the best coast. It’s one of the most scenic and beautiful places.”

On Wednesday, July 1, Livingston biked to Blaine and back to Bellingham to begin the trip. On Thursday, he traveled down State Street and Chuckanut Drive, embarking on his two-month long expedition that will end in Baja, Calif.

While the distance from the Canadian border in Blaine to the Mexican border near Baja, Calif., is approximately 1,300 miles, he said his route down the coast will be slightly longer—approximately 1,500 miles.

Livingston said he had originally decided to major in geography, until his dad told him about the planning and environmental policy major during his sophomore year at Western.

“It sounded like something I’d want to do in the future,” Livingston said.

Livingston said he began planning a bike trip before he became involved in the project. He partnered with Huxley and the Western Foundation to make the excursion a reality.

 “The idea came over winter break to do the bike trip,” he said. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do. I’ve always really enjoyed riding my bike.”

When she first heard about the trip, Green said she didn’t take it too seriously.

“I didn’t think it was going to go anywhere,” she said. “I was very surprised and delighted when he stuck with it and has been able to have it materialize.”

Green said the money raised by Livingston will allow the project some flexibility while continuing to search for larger funding. She said she hopes the project will turn into an ongoing Huxley program.

Mark Bagley, senior director of the Western Foundation, said he is amazed by Livingston’s bike trip and that individual fundraising efforts such as his are unique to the foundation.

 “We work with alumni, parents, corporations, businesses and community members for just about every program on campus,” said Bagley. “The state provides the minimum and we’re able to provide above and beyond that.”

The foundation began in 1966 and exists solely to raise money for the university.

“We wouldn’t be involved if the trip was to raise money for himself, but he’s raising money for a Huxley program,” Bagley said. “People can support him and the program by making their gift through the foundation.”

However, Livingston said the trip is only the beginning of the next stage of his life after college.

Livingston said he hopes to finish his trip by the end of August and link up with family in California. He said he is considering living there, and plans to apply to AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps.

“I saw this as a rite of passage for myself, not really wanting to dive into the professional field right away,” Livingston said.  “I don’t have a plan to return.  I hope to keep riding my bike and raising funds for the project.”

 To learn more about Livingston's cycling adventure or track his journey throughout the summer, visit his blog.

To donate visit:
http://www.wwu.edu/give
and type "Taylor's Ride - Guatemala" into the program memo box.

Be first to comment on this article

Only registered users can post comments.
Please login or register.