sustain

Sustainable Community Development Education
Special Project

Education about Sustainability and Growth

View sample lesson plans

Search Colorado Information Clearinghouse using keyword: sustainability

View list of sustainability themes and community indicators.

CAEE project goals

Links to related websites

Growth and Development
There is no bigger issue in Colorado. It has implications for quality of life, water, habitat, open space, land use, agriculture, economy, pollution, transportation. It even affects peace of mind and our spiritual sense.

Coloradoans are concerned about how to maintain a healthy and prosperous economy while at the same time preserving the quality environment that this wonderful state has to offer. New public policies are suggested; economic incentives, land use planning, and technological solutions are offered.

But, nothing will be as important as education - leading to environmental literacy and responsible, individual decisions.

Environmental education is potentially the most important and powerful long-term solution to the growth issue in Colorado, by helping people understand how Colorado can achieve both a healthy environment and a sound, prosperous economy in balance with one another.

Sustainable Community Development Educational Themes & Topics

AGRICULTURE

Land converted to development.

EDUCATION

Number of graduates who stay in area.

Literacy rates

ECONOMICS

Level of economic development in community - e.g. new businesses.

ENVIRONMENT

Businesses using pollution prevention.

Energy consumption.

Air quality.

Water quality.

Wildlife Habitat.

Waste generated.

TRANSPORTATION

Alternative transportation.

Number of vehicles and traffic patterns.

POPULATION

Population distribution (eg. age, etc.)

Availability of parks and other facilities.

Search Database of EE resources according to the above themes/topics.

A word about the use of themes and storylines in education reform

An important new approach to learning in education reform is focusing on connecting themes, conceptual understandings, and critical thinking skills rather than on the simple transfer of bits of information. The issues of growth and the concept of sustainable community development are natural supplements for EE activities!

Related "Healthy Community" Indicators

Several Colorado communities have developed "indicators" which describe key characteristics for a vision of what makes that community a good place to live and work. Indicators are measurable so that research can be done to chart how well the values of those key characteristics are being preserved over time.

From an educational standpoint, the indicators can also suggest relevant community issues and values that can be used as key examples and real-life issues within environmental education activities.

Click here for a sample of Colorado's Healthy Community indicators.

CAEE Project Goals

CAEE's on-going project is designed to raise awareness of sustainable development concepts as a tool for responsible growth. Project goals are:

to showcase the many existing EE activities that promote awareness and understanding of sustainable community development and growth.
to develop "sustainable community development" and the growth issue as thematic contexts for learning, and as a unifying theme for all EE activities and materials.
to develop educational strategies which support community-based initiatives in sustainable development and growth management.

Sustainable community development education workshops have already been conducted in Grand Junction, Durango, Denver and Fort Collins. Call CAEE to arrange a workshop in your community or CONTACT US for more information.