In-service training to help environmental educators and leaders increase their cultural competency and to assist their organizations in becoming more inclusive and relevant to the diverse communities in which they work

The Center for Diversity and the Environment (CDE) is providing training to help environmental educators and leaders increase their cultural competency, and to assist their organizations in becoming more inclusive and relevant to the diverse communities in which they work. CDE is conducting training at introductory (short sessions) and more in-depth (half-day to full-day workshops) levels, including at the NAAEE Conference, ee360 national partner conferences, and train-the-trainer workshops. Additionally, CDE is working to help organizations develop a comprehensive organizational strategy for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

CDE’s work focuses on the dual challenge and opportunity society has to align the environmental movement with an increasingly multicultural and diverse society. The environmental movement is lagging behind in its efforts to match our country’s changing demographics, which has real and measurable economic, scholastic, and health impacts on communities of color, and takes a toll on U.S. society as a whole. It is CDE’s belief that bridging that gap will strengthen our communities and amplify the impact of the movement politically, culturally, and financially.

Y1 Update

In 2017, CDE’s work included introductory level trainings with Project Learning Tree and NAAEE Affiliate Network Member, the Environmental Education Association of New Mexico. CDE worked with two additional NAAEE State Affiliates (Maine Association for Environmental Education and the Environmental Education Association of Oregon) on deeper-level strategic planning around diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2018, CDE will continue to offer introductory and well as more advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion training for a select number of NAAEE Affiliates.