How to Cultivate Cultivate

Ecoliteracy?
Developing Empathy for All Forms of Life

-We are not the only species to experience emotions. Scientists are
finding abundant evidence challenging the long-held belief that
emotional capacities are unique to humans. As students expand
their understanding of and compassion for other living beings, they
appreciate a key ecological principle: a sustainable Earth depends
upon a complex diversity of life. By practicing empathy for all
forms of life, humans are more likely to act in ways that preserve
diversity.
Embracing Sustainability as a Community Practice

-The most striking qualities among the activists, educators,

students and artists featured in Ecoliterate are their highly
developed social intelligence and inextricable connection to their
communities. Communities are vital for the survival of all living
beings, and the role models in Ecoliterate recognize the
significance of strong networks of relationships for accomplishing
their work.
Making the Invisible Visible

-As the distance between our actions and their consequences

widens, we become less aware of the far-reaching implications of
what we do. For example, electricity in California may come
from coal extracted through mountaintop removal in Kentucky,
yet the devastation to human health and the environment isn't
evident to those in the West. Our modern lifestyle relies on
resources from around the globe, making it difficult to recognize
the magnitude of our impact on the planet and on future
generations.
Anticipating Unintended Consequences

-Many of today's environmental crises have their roots in what

were initially viewed as brilliant technological advances. For
example, over the past 300 years fossil fuels have energized
modern progress, but their extraction and use have also caused
tremendous unintended harm to humans and the environment.
Understanding How Nature Supports Life

-Ecolilterate tells the stories of people who act out of an

understanding of the ways that nature has sustained itself for
nearly four billion years. By honoring nature as teacher, they
learn key lessons -- such as the significance of species diversity,
networks of relationships and resource conservation. Those who
are ecoliterate live in ways that fulfill the needs of the present
generation while simultaneously supporting nature's ability to
sustain life into the future.
Ecoliteracy and Place-
Based Learning
-The Center for Ecoliteracy promotes a variety of teaching
strategies, based on practices matched to students' levels of
development and on brain-based research, to foster the
knowledge, skills, and values essential to sustainable living. We
recognize that students learn best when teaching strategies are
varied to include hands-on activities, time for reflection and
thoughtful discussion, a mix of indoor and outdoor
environments, and opportunities to participate in
interdisciplinary projects.
 Place-Based Learning

Nearly a century ago, John Dewey called for experiential learning

that engages students in their own environments.

An increasing number of teachers are embracing place-based

learning as a strategy that captures students' imaginations and
advances environmental stewardship and civic engagement.

Place-based learning begins with asking questions such as,

"Where am I? What is the natural and social history of this place?

How does this place fit into the larger world?"

Successful place-based programs involve students as
participants in the life of their communities. Successful
projects demonstrate many of the following characteristics:

-Learning takes students out of the classroom and into the

community and natural environment

-Projects have consequences; students' contributions make a

difference to environmental quality and to the well-being of
communities

-Place-based projects are integrated back into classroom lessons

-Students want to learn in order to apply their knowledge to

solving real problems
-Students play an active role in defining and shaping projects
-Students collaborate with local citizens, organizations, agencies,
businesses, and government. Working alongside community
members, students help make plans that shape the future of their
social, physical, and economic environments

-Students are encouraged to view their community as an

ecosystem and to understand the relationships and processes
necessary to support healthy living

-By mapping their school and its surrounding community,

students create visual representations of the systems nested
within larger systems that constitute their local place in its
wholeness
There is a growing body of research on the benefits of place-based
learning. Among them: higher test scores, better grade-point
averages, improved classroom behavior, increased self-esteem and
problem-solving abilities, and higher-level thinking skills.

The Center for Ecoliteracy encourages place-based learning

through activities such as mapping the local environment to learn
key ecological and cultural principles, studying the interplay
between local society and the environment, supporting habitat
restoration projects, and working with local citizens to improve the
quality of life in their communities.