“The vision that flourishes in the aspirations of the people will prevail.”  Reverend James Lawson

Regional and Sector Leaders attended the E3 Leadership Retreat at the Tierra Learning Center.

On June 26 - 27, 2008 at the Tierra Learning Center, outside Leavenworth WA, leaders from around the state met to discuss, reflect and give direct input to the development of the E3 Washington Map to a Healthy, Prosperous and Sustainable Future. This “map” is a Strategic Guide for Creating a Statewide System of Education for Sustainable Communities and is the result of the input of thousands of education, business, tribal, agency, community, faith-based and other leaders across Washington.

Thirty E3 regional liaisons, sector leaders, and representatives of cross sector roundtables including tribes, youth, state agencies and business, joined together to celebrate the successes of the E3 planning process as well as help the E3 writing team move forward with five cross-sector initiatives to optimize environmental and sustainability education for everyone who lives, learns, works and plays in Washington state. 

The group also worked on introductory sections of the plan including the

Youth Leaders Michele Stanley and LaGina Fountain

vision, attributes of an environmentally literate resident, description of the system of lifelong learning in environmental and sustainability education and the guiding principles for partners in the E3 effort.

The participants worked in large and small groups throughout the two days while being supported by the fantastic staff at the Tierra Learning Center.  With a mission to “create transformative ways of being in the world” the Tierra Learning Center was the perfect place to foster positive change through E3.

At the culmination of the retreat, the E3 writing team was able to return to the drafts of the plan with critical input from the leadership retreat representing thousands of participants of the E3 statewide and regional planning process.

Nan McKay and Justin Asohmbohm

  Among the discussions that took place, retreat members talked about the seventh generation perspective, how collaboration works, what sustainability and environmental literacy means to formal and non-formal educators as well looked at how to structure and fund the continued implementation of statewide and regional strategies.

Aside form the detailed work on the parts of the plan, the intention of the retreat was to continue to strengthen the E3 community statewide; to provide a

A Local, Organic, Sustainable Meal!

well-paced, productive, inspiring meeting for E3 leaders; and to provide E3 leaders with the opportunity to build excitement for the future.  On all accounts the Leadership Retreat was a tremendous success in process and product; local, organic and beautifully prepared food; wonderful and fun company; detailed and intentional work; and a deep desire for positive change.

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