Citizen engagement is essential in creating long-term solutions towards sustainability.  NWEI discussion courses have been used as a community engagement tool in municipality and city-level sustainability initiatives and provide structure for community members to be involved and invested in city-level initiatives.  Whether NWEI small group dialogs are initiated by motivated citizen task forces or part of municipality-level programming, the result is greater levels of investment and awareness amongst participants. 

"Having worked as an NWEI community coordinator for nine years I can see how the seeds planted over time have sprouted: 

•    Course takers change their personal habits and strive to live more simply and become involved in community sustainability efforts.

•    Discussion courses  set a model for civil discourse, basically teaching folks how to engage in finding common ground even if there are different viewpoints.

•    NWEI's presence in Corvallis, Oregon has created a climate of sustainability awareness - not only for the folks who take the courses and their sphere of influence but for the general public that sees these courses taking place and know that change is afoot!

Personally, being involved with NWEI has changed my life.  I changed from shy introvert to an activist involved in my community in ways I would never have dreamed of.  The courses fueled my passion for the planet, overriding my reticence to act.  As a result I have been able to encourage others to do the same and we now have a city working on a community sustainability initiative at the request of the mayor and city council."

--Maureen Beezhold, Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Steering Committee and Sustainability Education Task Force Facilitator,

Corvallis, Oregon

To bring NWEI discussions to your community level organizing, contact NWEI to learn more at contact@nwei.org, or click here.