Successes and Challenges in Socioecological Education

Sierra Streams Institute is implementing socioecological education in our community that incorporates place-based learning, traditional ecological knowledge, local conservation, citizen science and service learning. As a... [ view full abstract ]

Sierra Streams Institute is implementing socioecological education in our community that incorporates place-based learning, traditional ecological knowledge, local conservation, citizen science and service learning. As a rural community, Nevada City, CA has unique assets and challenges that make socioecological education a particularly appropriate and effective model for both youth and adult learners. By collaborating with tribal, conservation and advocacy groups as well as traditional and alternative education systems, we are able to provide integrated lesson plans that engage students of all ages and encourage active learning and creative problem solving. We currently work with home, charter, and public school students and also provide community training days and workshops. Our methodology encompasses both traditionally defined environmental education that focuses on connecting people with their local ecosystem, as well as more novel approaches to learning such as seminars about the human health effects of mining toxins in the environment, and collaborations with local farms to enhance nutrition education. We are part of a growing movement in this region that emphasizes collaboration, resource sharing, environmental awareness and problem solving on issues both local and global. Though still in its infancy, this program is proving to be extremely engaging and successful, providing students with a deeper understanding of their environment as well as the tools required to affect significant positive change.