RRU ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM NEWS

August 2011The 2011 Residency had a number of firsts: the first time we gathered in the new RRU classroom building (with the rather uninspiring name placeholder, the Learning and Innovation Centre, LIC), the first time we had a residency totally in July (and early July to boot) and our first field trip to Avatar Grove (http://www.ancientforestguide.com/big-trees.php?ID=1), site of a set of spectacular old growth gnarly cedar trees near Port Renfrew/Botanical Beach, and for the first time Dr. Wendy Donawa taught her writing course face to face (and loved it!). The move from the old Mews to the new LIC wasn’t to everyone’s liking, and we’ll have to do some serious work to bring the rather sterile classrooms alive for next summer.

And next summer will be the entry of our 10th cohort! Totally hard to believe! We’ll be doing some thinking about special events and activities in and after the residency, and hope that students and alumni both will help out in thinking what we might do to take stock, see where we’ve been, and see where the MAEEC program should be going. More to come!

Still running across Canada...

Colin Harris (2008 cohort) has, amazingly, now run more than 5500 kms!! No, he’s not running away from writing his thesis! But he is getting his message out across the country regarding the importance of children getting outside and active. I was walking down Douglas Street in Victoria a few days ago and there were two women walking with his t-shirts

on (“Ask your teacher to take you outside”), which are now available through Mountain Equipment Coop.

Colin’s Take Me Outside project (http://takemeoutside.ca/) is completely remarkable. If you’re living along Colin’s route, you could offer him a place to stay and a great meal! Or just come out and both support and celebrate

1

him as he runs by. And we hope to celebrate his arrival in Victoria in mid-October.

Colin writes: “We believe in the power of outdoor experiential learning. We believe in the countless benefits that having a relationship with nature brings. We believe in getting youth outside and active and hope to promote this message through various means of advocacy, including an apparel initiative to get students outside of the classroom.”

How to engender hope in a time of environmental despair...

The American Education Research Association is a monster conference with more than 13,000 folks normally in attendance, a conference for intellectual omnivores,!! The spring meeting of AERA had MAEEC alumni Carly Armstrong (MA, 2008 cohort) and Joy Beauchamp (MA, 2006/7 cohort), presenting along with MAEEC associate faculty Dr. Elin Kelsey.

Joy shared her thoughts about the conference: “Elin Kelsey, Carly Armstrong and I presented at the American Education Research Association conference in New Orleans on April 10th on how to engender hope in a time of environmental despair. We each presented a different element of this topic, based on our own research.  Carly's was a summary of her thesis work, which engaged expert opinion around Sobel's conjecture of "No tragedies before grade four".  Elin presented on the messaging behind her best-selling children's

book: Not your Typical Book about the Environment, and I presented on my thesis research on how environmental activists maintain their well-being amidst the doom and gloom of climate change. Our round table session was overflowing with people from around the world who gave great feedback and suggested that this was an important and under-explored area of research.  This was the first time I have revisited my thesis research since completing my Master's in the fall of 2009. It was refreshing to explore the work again with fresh eyes and hear that people are really interested in our findings. And of course, it was wonderful to connect with some MEEC friends again and explore the wild and wonderful city of New Orleans!

Carly also wrote: “Elin, Joy and I had a wonderful reunion in Nawlins on the weekend.  Our time at the conference was extremely successful, we had a really great turnout for our session and those that came to listen to our talk were very engaged and interested in the perspective we were offering.  Looks like there will be future opportunities to do some more publishing on the importance of

considering emotions (both negative and positive) within EE and more specifically climate change education in the near future. Seeing Elin and Joy was so great.  I got re-energized on my thesis and totally motivated to continue to work on making the findings

2

Audrey Aamodt (MA, 2008 cohort) wearing Colin’s t-shirt!

Elin, Joy and Carly (from left)

accessible to a wider audience.  I will keep you posted on that work.”

And more on hope and happiness...

Associate faculty member Dr. Elin Kelsey has just published an article with Dr. Catherine O'Brien of Cape Breton University (and long time MAEEC thesis advisor) on Sustainable Happiness and Hope for this month's Green Teacher Magazine. http://www.greenteacher.com/contents93.html

Catherine has also created a series of free teacher's guides on the concept of sustainable happiness that you can download at http://www.sustainablehappiness.ca/

Hot off the presses...

Dr. Shefa Siegel, MAEEC associate faculty member, published an important piece in The Mark, regarding the protests taking place in Washington DC against the Keystone XL pipeline which would take Alberta tar sands oil to Texas. See http://www.themarknews.com/articles/6512-bill-mckibben-and-the-fight-to-stop-the-oil-sands?page=1

Vulnerable Children Society...

Arnica Rowan (MA, 2004 cohort) recently wrote:

“I read recently in a book entitled Ecopreneuring that a typical ecopreneur has trouble fitting their life’s work onto a business card. That seems to ringing truer for me each day!

I’m still teaching at Okanagan College in Kelowna, BC, where I specialize in Sustainable Business practices. I’ve also kept busy working as a consultant. This year I worked to create a post-secondary sustainability community of practice [RK: note that this is closely related to the topic of her MA thesis], and completed strategic planning for the college and a low-barrier homeless shelter. My husband and I are building a new business, which we hope to open in 2011. Some of you will remember that

Jason is a vet, so we’re opening a veterinary clinic as well as the adjoining “Pounce & Hound” pet boutique, which will specialize in socially- and environmentally responsible products. It’s a fun project, and I hope it will act as a model for green retail in our community.

My real passion over the last year, however, has been building up the Vulnerable Children Society. Our Canadian non-profit supports children in Ethiopia affected by extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS.  With our Ethiopian partner, Vulnerable Children Society supports an orphanage for HIV+/- kids, as well as in-home community supports for families in four different communities. This House 2 House program enables orphaned and vulnerable children to stay in their neighbourhoods while receiving medical care, food, and access to education. I hope you will all check it out and like us on Facebook! and maybe even consider becoming a sponsor to a deserving child: www.vulnerablechildren.ca

Blessings from our corner of the world to yours! Arnica Rowan www.rowanfamilytree.com

Working in the Yukon...

Allison Perrin (MA, 2007 cohort) wrote

I'm working with the Yukon Government in the Office of Social Inclusion and Poverty

3

Arnica, Simone, Acacia and Jason Rowan

Reduction as the Communications Coordinator, so tapping into all the great communications ideas and experiences from MEEC. It's definitely a switch being in an office, I sometimes find myself twitching to get outside or doing the sleepy head nod, usually right around 2 pm. The work is rewarding so that's what keeps me awake and focused. We're currently in the middle of the creation of a government wide strategy focusing on social inclusion and poverty. It's very exciting as I get to work beyond my communications position and with all government departments, even though we're housed in Health and Social Services.

It's a big learning experience for me since I don't have a background in social justice/social policy, but that's part of what I love about my job, as well as knowing that hopefully what we're doing will make a tangible change in people's lives!

I'm also working as a consultant with a non-profit that does community-based ecological monitoring, which has given me the opportunity to work with smaller northern communities and learn more about northern cultures. I organized and attended our yearly gathering in Fort McPherson, NWT in March and really enjoyed meeting the folks we work with and hearing their stories.”

From Taiwan to Sierra Club Toronto...

Andrew Holownych (MA, 2008 cohort) wrote, back in June “Good news! I got an internship position with the Sierra Club. It's only for the summer, and I'll be doing a variety of things there. Finally my first paid green job! I almost can't believe that all my volunteering paid off. You probably don't know, but the Sierra Club office is in the same building as Evergreen (Evergreen on the 3rd floor, Sierra on the 4th). By being around Evergreen I had a chance to meet the Kristina, the woman who hired me. So it looks like I'm off on my green job adventure!”

Howe Sound sustainability...

Kimberly Armour (MA, 2006 cohort), wrote “... life in my land is very busy. I have spent my time since graduating building up my portfolio and running a number of different contracts. I

have been running the communications of the Squamish River Watershed Society - a projects based group that focuses on watershed management. I am also working as an associate for waterlution and in this role will be hosting a workshop that brings people together to learn about the cumulative impacts/benefits of microhydro projects on our local river systems. I am still totally obsessed with water and happy that these contracts can serve this obsession.

In terms of education projects I am developing a zero waste education program that I will deliver in the fall to high school and elementary  students in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, and I have also been developing and delivering invasive plant education in schools throughout the region over the past year. Most recently I have been volunteering as an ambassador for the David Suzuki Foundation on their Natural Capital Project. The Natural Capital Project for the first time in Canada has developed a system that places economic value on the ecosystem services for Vancouver's Lower Mainland. As ambassador for this program, I am presenting this concept of Nature's value to decision makers in my area and developing feedback on this body of work for DSF. I was also fortunate to manage a community capacity building contract with Squamish community resource center. Through this contract we developed a online network of all non-profits for this region, and am now on the board for the resource centers.

Outside of my mis-mash of busy contract life I am fully immersed in the world of roller derby [RK: is this any surprise, really!] and am working with a great group of ladies to expand the sport in our region. The Sea to Sky Sirens is my team and we won our first game, which also happened to be on my birthday last Saturday - it was magic.

I really do wish I was gearing up to head to Cougar Annies right now. I can't tell you how often I have thought of our time there, and how transformative this experience was for me. Thanks for keeping us meecers up to date with the news, it is so great to learn how each of us are applying our meec tools.”

4

Elizabeth May as Bateman Lecturer...

Elizabeth May, MP, delivered the seventh Bateman lecture this summer. Her lecture is available for viewing and sharing via the RRU You Tube channel, here is a link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/RoyalRoadsUni#p/a/u/0/ZRD3-­‐-­‐AcfWU

MAEEC’ers are leaders...

Barbara Cartwright (MA, 2004) wrote “I wanted to share with you my new job announcement - I am now the CEO of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies! (see the announcement at http://cfhs.ca/features/2169). It is a wonderfully big challenge and I am truly excited by the opportunities before me. I have to say that my Master's continues to support my career forward. In many ways of course, but in one way I never expected which is that the very title of having a Master's in Environmental Education and Communication makes a real difference, as so many employers are focussed on communications now. I am grateful not only for the academics but also for the human side of the program - the times together on campus remain as fabulous memories for me.

Now - one of my first tasks at hand is to write a white paper on the current state of animal welfare in Canada - so back to the books to do research (another MAEEC talent).

And more leadership...

Russell Collier (2009 cohort) wrote earlier in the summer, in response to an email where I declared him to be a legend in his field of GIS,

“ :) Yes, in some circles I have become a fixture. Tho to some extent that comes from simply surviving this long in a field where high staff turnover and short project funding is the norm. ...

I am well, thank you, though somewhat overbooked right now. I am now the National Aboriginal Advisor to the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement Secretariat. Last summer, when Avrim Lazar and Lorne Johnson came to present on the CBFA to RRU students, courtesy of MEEC 2009 member Monica Bailey, I decided I wanted to shape their aboriginal outreach strategy. I basically kept after them, the same way I pushed my way into MEEC [RK: no pushing was needed, Russell was always wanted!!], until they agreed to take me on. I... am enjoying the new level of challenge. I have to say that for many at CBFA and CBI, my taking the plunge into a Master's here at RRU was a deciding factor in my hiring. Many people told me so. :)

And even more leadership: A new EECOM Board member...

Mike Klassen (MA, 2007 cohort) kindly correct an omission made in the last MAEEC News!

“Hi Rick, I was also elected to the EECOM Board of Directors.”

Mea culpa, Mike! Congratulations on your election (at the recent EECOM conference in Regina, chaired by Peta Munro) and thanks for willing to step into this leadership role!

5

Elizabeth May and members of the 20011 cohort

Projects in Kluane National Park...

Emma Hansen (MA, 2008 cohort), who works in beautiful Haines Junction, Yukon with Parks Canada, wrote: “Just wanted to share the beautiful result [RK: see pictures next page] of a community-park relations project that has kept me busy over the past 3-4 months. It brings together the findings of my thesis in a neat way - use the school as leverage to generate better community-park relations and to generate a different sense of place ...”

Congrats to new parents...

Meaghan Lewis (now Davey) (2007 cohort and with a nearly completed thesis!) just let me know that “Winnifred Roberta Marie Davey, affectionately known as Winn or Winnie, arrived on July 22. Annie, who is now two, is definitely a proud big sister!”

She also wrote “Did you get the news of the arrival of Craig Farish's son Desmond on July 24? If not, you should request a picture from him for the MEEC News as well!” The request was made, but as of press time, no picture had arrived!

Leading Sustainability Education at Algonquin College (Ottawa)! 

Natalie Robison (MA, 2008/9 cohort and mother of twins!) wrote “As I now have contract-in-hand I would like to tell the MAEECers about my new professorial gig.  The Sustainability Education program has come to life at Algonquin College!  I will be teaching three of the online courses "from the bush" [RK: meaning her house in rural Ontario] and serving as program coordinator.  This is a joint endeavour with Conestoga College and an amazing project through which to network.  I am enjoying collaborating with diverse partners to support the reworking of pedagogical models so as to enable education for sustainability.  The Sustainability Education program is for formal and informal educators and involves an outdoor education practicum.  (Spread the word!  URL below.) 

6

This school year I am also hoping to bring to life some of the recommendations from my thesis regarding education for sustainability within Algonquin College itself.

Registration now open (online courses for any Ontarians): http://extraweb.algonquincollege.com/ce_programs/programOverview.aspx?id=1816X07PWO&

Sustainable Local Medicine & Ayurveda...

Don Ollsin (2011 cohort) is a master herbalist and author living in Victoria BC, who delivers a Certificate in Herbal Studies (http://camosun.ca/ce/health-wellness.html#65H) starting October 1st at Camosun College this Fall. He also delivers the Practical Herbalist Program (http://www.langara.bc.ca/continuing-studies/programs-and-courses/programs/herbalist/index.html) starting September 24th at Langara College in Vancouver. “I encourage any MAEEC students or graduates who may be interested to contact me (healing@herbalhealingpathway.com) even if not interested in the courses.”

International Environmental Communication Association...

Dr. Mark Meisner, who stepped in for Dr. Jennifer Good when she was home with her new baby daughter Ezri (and not to be confused with Elin Kelsey’s daughter Esme!), is the Executive Director of the new organization, International Environmental Communication Association. RRU, through the

MAEEC program and the School of Communication and Culture, are founding members of this new endeavour.

Mark writes: “We are a new association, just launched in 2011, but with roots that go back twenty years. From the first Conference on Communication and Environment in 1991 to

the Environmental Communication Network to Environmental Communication: A Journal of Nature and Culture, not to mention the many efforts of practitioners, teachers, scholars and other organizations, the field has come a long way. Now, with energy and input from many people around the world, we're moving forward under the IECA banner. Please join us and help shape the next twenty years!

For more, go to http://environmentalcomm.org/

Google Map!

You can see the geographical extent of the MAEEC alumni through our google map:

http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=218256938327924989570.00047043bd484a0d26fc0&msa=0

If you are an alumni and not on the map, or would like me to fix something wrong on the map, let me know!

MEEC wedding #3: Joy and Nick tie the knot...

For the third time that I am aware of, two MEEC grads have joined together in marriage: there is Nathalie Vieu (MA, 2004 cohort) and Todd Masse (MA, 2003 cohort), Johan Stroman and Julie Clark (both MA, 2004 cohort), and now Joy Beauchamp (MA,

7

Proud (and happy!) dads, Matthew Rockall with son Liam, and Craig Farish with daughter Abbie, at June 2011 RRU Convocation.

The illustrious Dr. McClaren has this really strange habit of convincing people to hang spoons from their nose. I personally have seen this done in fine French dining establishments in Toronto. We will not further humiliate this un-named member of the 2009 cohort, forever hanging her spoon from her nose.

2006/7 cohort) and Nick Stanger (MA, 2005 cohort).

I had the honour of being the MC for the event, held in Victoria at the Glendale Gardens. Officiating (well, doing everything but officially declaring the couple ,married) was associate faculty member Elin Kelsey. Daniella Rubelling (MA, 2006 cohort) and Nadine Lefort (MA, 2006 cohort) also provided support and encouragement..

And more MEEC matrimonial activity...

Daniella Rubelling (MA, 2006 cohort) is stepping outside of her cohort to marry Al Tinholz, an environmental engineer and conflict resolution specialist, later in October.

But Becky Crowe and Isaac Yuen (2009 cohort) will be the fourth MEEC wedding also this fall. I had noticed that the two of them had been hanging out together through the last two residencies, but had no idea that things had progressed to this extent!... I hope to have a photo of the two of them in the next MEEC news.

Congratulations and best wishes to Daniella and Al, and Becky and Isaac!

Summer field trip to Botanical Beach and Avatar Grove...

Thanks to Maia Green (2011 cohort), the 2011 cohort visited a wonderful and newly discovered stand of very large and gnarly western redcedars (Thuja plicata) close to Port Renfrew BC, locally called Avatar Grove on our way to the annual Botanical Beach field trip.

Below, associate faculty member Dr. Liza Ireland talks with 2011 cohort member Sylvie Mastellone on the beach!

8