March 22, 2004, Elephant Hill, Craigeburn Forest Park, South Island
Beautiful sunny sky above, spectacular alpine environment all around. The heart of the mountains along New Zealand’s southern alps. Corporate responsibility and environmentalism. Personal choices, unfair trade and local/global connections. Unusual topics in such an extraordinary place!
Yet this combination was ideal for a day exploring the topic of environmental education with EcoQuest students. The alpine location was perfect for experiencing the ‘In’ and ‘About’ aspects of environmental education. We were ‘In’ our environment, inspired by the sheer wonder and magnitude of it all. We laughed, played and talked seriously; all the while invigorated by the physical space we were in. But our location was also perfect for learning ‘About’ the environment. We saw relic forestry experiments far on the horizon and pushed through thick exotic pine trees from similar experiments nearby. Concepts discussed in lecture became real and tangible.
However, we also explored ideas of education ‘For’ the environment, a much more complex and oftentimes static notion. What actions can we take to improve our environment and how do we go about learning the skills necessary? Working individually, in small groups and in larger group discussions we tackled a range of issues. We examined how each of us individually perceives his or her environment. We noted how these varied backgrounds create different beliefs and different motivations for doing things ‘For’ the environment. On a broader scale, where do government, business, and community fit in when trying to solve environmental problems? Can these structures of our society both hinder and help efforts aimed at doing things ‘For’ the environment? We had lots of discussion, debate, and at times almost argument; such are the contradictions and tensions that a topic as complex as ‘the environment’ draws out.
Today we reminded ourselves that each day we must critically question our role in the world and always strive to improve this fragile relationship.