Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Environmental Education (Online Course)

This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in the language, concepts and principles of equity work for environmental educators and environmental professionals.  It is meant to be an introductory course and spark interest in further learning around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). The main topics for the course include:

• Foundations of communication for sensitive topics, including group agreements and nonviolent communication.

• Developing a common language for discussing JEDI topics

• Understanding historical intersections of the environmental movement with social justice topics, how those historical events might still be causing impacts today.

• Understanding bias, stereotypes, and oppression

• Reflecting on power and privilege that different identities afford, how that power and privilege manifests as microaggressions and how to use the power and privilege you had to develop a personal action plan.

This course was developed through a partnership between Center for Diversity and the Environment, EcoInclusive, Justice Outside, Environmental Educators of North Carolina, Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education, and Kentucky Association for Environmental Education.  

Format: This is an asynchronous online course. 

• All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 8 week timeframe.  Actual time to complete the course will vary, but we estimate it will take approximately 15 hours.
• We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage timely completion of assignments.  While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the courses will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.
• Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on forums and Padlet boards, and writing personal reflections.

Cohort Timeline: This cohort will begin February 6, 2023.  Participants will have until April 3, 2023 to complete the course.

Earning Credit: This course qualifies for 15 hours Criteria I Credit for EE Certification Program Enrollees, 10-hour maximum CE Credit for those already EE Certified.  For all other continuing education, you can earn 1.5 CEU's (15 hours)

Registration: $30 for EENC members, $40 for general registration.  Sliding registration option also available.