Northwest Earth Institute Discussion Courses

 

We help individuals organize discussion courses from the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI) and we also do Introductions for the community at large. 

 

These courses provide an enjoyable, supportive setting in which to examine personal values and habits, engage in stimulating discussion, and make personal changes if desired.  Since 1993, tens of thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations have been involved in NWEI courses.

 

There are currently discussion courses on:

Voluntary Simplicity focuses on simplifying our lives as a way to make room for meaningful and nourishing activities while living lighter on the Earth. This course addresses the distractions of modern society that keep us from caring for ourselves, our relationships, and our environment.

 

Choices for Sustainable Living explores the meaning of sustainable living and the ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on the earth.

 

Menu for the Future is a six-session course exploring the connection between food and sustainability.

 

Global Warming: Changing Course explores the history and science of global warming, personal values and habits as they relate to climate change, and personal actions to curb the effects of global warming.

 

Healthy Children Healthy Planet explores ways to create meaningful family time and healthy environments for children.  It also discusses how the pervasive effects of advertising, media, and our consumer culture can influence a child's view of the world.

Discovering A Sense of Place focuses on knowing and protection our place.

 

Exploring Deep Ecology explores our relationship with the Earth through the lens of different Earth-centered philosophies and traditions. It addresses core values and how they affect the way we view and treat the earth.

 

How it works

A group of eight to twelve people, from a business, center of faith, neighborhood, or a community, come together for eight or nine meetings to discuss stories and articles in the discussion course workbook. The readings are a starting point for discussion, where the focus is on exploring one's own relationship to the topics covered.

 

Start Your Own Group

Invite friends, acquaintances, coworkers, fellow parishioners or neighbors to an introductory session led by a Sustainable Asheville volunteer at a site of your choice, such as your workplace, center of faith, club, home, or community center.

Upcoming Courses in the Asheville Area

To register for any upcoming courses contact us.

 

Volunteer

Volunteers are a critical aspect of making the courses a success in the community.  It is a great opportunity to become active in the community and meet lots of great people.  Receive training on introducing and mentoring new discussion course groups and thereby helping individuals make personal changes toward sustainability.  Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering.  

 

NWEI

The Northwest Earth Institute, a non-profit organization located in Portland, Oregon, developed these discussion courses over the last ten years. The courses have been successful in the Northwest and in over 550 other communities in the US with the cumulative enrollment in the courses of over 65,000 people.

 

Testimonials

Several years ago, employees at a Portland architectural firm took a number of NWEI courses during noontime meetings. Shortly thereafter, a grassroots sustainability committee formed among the employees. Later, sustainability became a part of the firm’s business plan, with a commitment to fund both education and research and development. One principal of the firm, who has also served as CFO for 16 years, says, "We are really moving ahead. I can’t say enough about the positive momentum created by NWEI’s discussion courses. They were a major catalyst for us."

 

In Scottsville, NY, Bob has done 3 of the the discussion courses and his group is currently working with their local school system to implement ecological projects with students.  Group member, Elizabeth, has been meeting with teachers and administrators and most recently helped to start an edible garden in the school courtyard.  Their next goal: setting up a recycling system at the school.  The group didn't stop there - they decided to take examples of recyclable flatware to the local grocery store and encourage managers to switch to recyclable products rather than styrofoam.  Wow!