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On March 7th, 2008, KEEN along with several community partners, played host to over 100 people interested and active in environmental education acitivies in the region. The e3 Summit focused on what it means to be environmentally literate, what we want to see for our region in the future, and how we can create opportunities for sustainability and integrate traditional and innovative learning techniques.
It was a great day - read more below and find out how you can stay or become involved!
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| Kittitas e3 Summit - Summary Documents |
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Kittitas e3 Summit - March 7, 2008
What would a sustainable Kittitas County in the year 2025 look like and be like? What attributes would a
citizen need to live there successfully and well? How can we navigate toward that vision and what steps can we begin to take through educational efforts to make such dreams come true?
On March 7, 2008 over 90 community members representing diverse constituencies and walks of life came together at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds to explore and discuss these questions. Their efforts were part of a statewide process known as E3 Washington a strategy to educate decision makers of the future and Kittitas County was one of 18 regions that have held or will hold an E3 Summit to gather local ideas and input regarding connections among the three Es of education, economics and environment.
The day began with a blessing by Rex Buck, Jr., spiritual leader of the Wanapum Band of Indians and key note addresses by Virginia Beavert, Yakama Nation Elder and Dr. Steven Verhey, President of Cascadia Carbon Institute.
With hearts and minds primed by the speakers, the Kittitas County E3 Summit participants set forth to chart the direction that residents of Kittitas County could take toward developing and incorporating sustainable natural and social systems and practices for all who live, work and play in our region. Working together within the context of their sector-affiliated groups representing preK- 12 and teacher education, business and outreach, media and communications, higher education and community education attendees grappled with identifying current challenges and opportunities for environmental education and then agreeing on goals and strategies through which environmental education can lead our region and state toward a healthy, inclusive and sustainable tomorrow.
The input gathered at the Summit will now be used for two purposes: (1) informing a statewide plan that will, under the leadership of the Environmental Education Association of Washington, leverage existing environmental educational opportunities across the state and create a network for coordination and delivery of those resources and (2) forming the basis for localized strategies to guide and implement environmental education efforts for Kittitas County.
Coordinated by KEEN, a Kittitas County E3 Implementation Committee comprised of interested community members will now work to further develop and complete our own local E3 plan. If you are interested knowing more about E3 or in joining the Implementation Committee, please contact Kim Freier at kfreier@wsu.edu or Becca Wassell at rdgwassell@yahoo.com.
Look for the E3 logo on local posters, fliers, pamphlets and more that indicates a unified, collaborative effort to meet the educational, environmental and economic needs of Kittitas County and our state!
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