LAN offers small group discussion courses for area residents to learn more about environmental challenges and the specific steps any person may take to reverse negative ecological trends and make life healthier and more satisfying. Course topics: Voluntary Simplicity, Healthy Children, Healthy Planet, Choices for Sustainable Living, Global Warming: Changing CO₂urse, The Natural Step for Communities. 
Coming in fall 2007: Exploring Deep Ecology and The Low Carbon Diet: How to Lose 5,000 Pounds in a Month.

Northwest Earth Institute Courses

LAN offers small group discussion courses developed by the Northwest Earth Institute out of Portland, Oregon, on a series of topics:  Voluntary Simplicity, Healthy Children, Healthy Planet, Choices for Sustainable Living, Global Warming: Changing CO₂urse.  Coming in fall 2007, Deep Ecology.

Since the early 1990s, over 70,000 Americans, in groups of 8-12, have participated in these courses all across the country.  As of early 2003, they have been available in the Central Susquehanna Valley.  Eight different groups so far have convened locally.

Anyone who wishes may sponsor a NWEI small-group discussion course in their home, place of faith, office or any other convenient place.  Contact LAN and we will provide support including a list of course descriptions, instructions, and information helpful in sponsoring the course.  If you are interested, we can offer an Introductory Presentation for prospective participants to help explain the purpose, general content and logistics of the course of your choice.  We are also able to help advertise and find additional participants (8 to 10 are needed).  Most courses are a series of eight or nine sessions.  The process of the courses facilitates self-reflection and is appropriate for all levels of experience or prior knowledge of the topic -- they meet you where you are.

Once you register for a NWEI course with LAN you may either purchase the reader for $17 through LAN or arrange to borrow a reader from LAN. For Voluntary Simplicity, once you are signed up for the course with LAN you also have the option of checking out the reader from the Public Library for Union County.  There is no other charge for the course.  We will show you how to gather your group and will provide a group mentor to guest facilitate and answer questions at your first meeting.

Purpose

To encourage participants to explore their values, attitudes, and actions through discussion with other people. These programs are organized around three key principles:

Voluntary Simplicity

• To understand the meaning of voluntary simplicity.
• To explore the material and psychological distractions that prevent us from caring for the earth.

• To acknowledge the connection between our lifestyle choices and the condition of the earth.

Healthy Children - Healthy Planet

• To understand how the pervasive effects of advertising, media, and our consumer culture can influence a child's view of the world.
• To discover ways to create meaningful family times and healthful environments for children.
• To explore ways to develop a child's connection to nature, and to foster creativity.

7:30 p.m. Monday 29 January first session of "Healthy Children, Healthy Planet," in the multipurpose room at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, just south of the intersection of Route 15 and Route 45.  There is still space for a few more people to join the group.  Contact LAN if interested.

Choices for Sustainable Living

• To explore the meaning of sustainability.
• To consider the ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on the earth.
• To learn about steps that can be taken to move toward ecologically sustainable organizations, lifestyles, and communities

Global Warming: Changing Co₂urse

•  To explore personal values and habits as they relate to climate change.
•  To understand the history and science of global warming.
•  To empower individuals to take action to curb global warming.
• Ongoing courses: one starts first week in May, another in September. Contact LAN.

Exploring Deep Ecology

• To clarify earth-related values through discussions about
  Exploring Deep Ecology.
• To discover how personal values affect the way we view
  and treat the earth.
• To understand what it means to take personal responsibility for the earth.

Other Courses

The Natural Step for Communities

This eight session pilot discussion course is centered on Sara James and Torbjorn Lahti's book, The Natural Step for Communities.  The book provides inspiring examples of communities and businesses that have made dramatic changes toward sustainability, and explains how others can emulate their success.  The study guide was developed by SustainDane, a Madison, Wisconsin non-profit organization committed to creating communities that deeply enjoy, care for, and are sustained by their unique environment.

Purpose

Discussion Themes

• The Natural Step Framework and Sustainability  Renewable Energy   Alternative Transportation   Green Building   Green Businesses   Eco-Economic Development   Ecological Schools and Education    Sustainable Agriculture Dealing with Waste  Protecting Biodiversity   Sustainable Land Use and Planning   What Gets in the Way of Change   Three Change Processes That Work   Steps to Change   Process Leaders.

Participate

The first Natural Step course started Monday 22 January at 8 p.m.  The cost is the price of the book, available for about $20. The Public Library for Union County may have a few copies of the book available on the shelf.  If you are outside the immediate area or simply too booked already, but still interested in just attending a session or two, you will also certainly be welcome. We meet the first and fourth Mondays of the month.  Contact LAN if you would like to participate.

The Low Carbon Diet: How to Lose 5,000 Pounds in a Month.  Coming in fall 2007.