ENVS 295: Environmental Engagement
Lewis & Clark College | Spring 2020
Molly Orchid
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Course Summary
Environmental Engagement, as offered at Lewis and Clark College, is a course that investigates the applications surrounding the who, what, and how of collective environmental action. The Environmental Studies major is broken down into five main courses, each serving a different purpose in the understanding and execution of the field. In this course, taken as a supplement to the other four trajectory course, students like myself try to understand how to properly navigate the vast polarities of issues and discussions. From conversation to action, breaking down the barriers to successfully listen and learn are our biggest focuses. While this is still an in-progress course, we have, thus far, established a few major steps in “thinking” and “doing.” Through an engagement trip, various readings, and the formation of a partnership with an outside activist organization (Portland Harbor Community Coalition), among other things, we have worked on finding how to effectively apply open listening and conversation skills to conduct useful engagement.Engagement Partnership
One important part of ENVS 295 is an environmental engagement partnership with a Portland-area organization. The page linked above offers information and resources I helped compile for my organizational partner this semester.Engagement Project
Building on the engagement partnership above, our team developed a related engagement project in collaboration with the partner. The page linked above offers details on our engagement project.My Course Posts
I've done a series of posts throughout the semester related to readings, our partnership, our project, and my thoughts on environmental engagement. See below for all posts I've published, in reverse order by date.
As students of Lewis and Clark College, specifically in the Environmental Studies program, it is imperative that we learn, and practice, successful engagement with a diverse range of individuals and parties in our community and beyond. In actively doing so this semester, we have officially begun creating partnerships with organizations […]
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As students of Lewis and Clark College, specifically in the Environmental Studies program, it is imperative that we learn, and practice, successful engagement with a diverse range of individuals and parties in our community and beyond. In actively doing so this semester, we have officially begun creating partnerships with organizations […]
Read More
Portland Harbor Community Coalition (PHCC) works to promote the voices and values of those most marginalized in the community surrounding the Portland Harbor Superfund site. They also work to promote the clean-up and restoration of the Portland Harbor Superfund site. Our group has partnered with PHCC in an effort to […]
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Working With the Portland Harbor Community Coalition As students of Lewis and Clark College, specifically in the Environmental Studies program, it is imperative that we learn, and practice, successful engagement with a diverse range of individuals and parties in our community and beyond. In actively doing so this semester, we […]
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Environmental Engagement, as offered at Lewis and Clark College, is a course that investigates the applications surrounding the who, what, and how of collective environmental action. The Environmental Studies major is broken down into five main courses, each serving a different purpose in clarification and execution of the field. In […]
Read More
How to Engage We have discussed in the past the importance of identifying the “who” to include into environmental engagement opportunities as well as the “what” should be discussed at large. The third step in creating proactive and effective environmental engagement includes determining the “how.” This means understanding how to […]
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Understanding Everyone Involved Understanding who all is involved as stakeholders in every situation when it comes to environmental engagement is key. The incorporation of all perspectives creates the most efficient and inclusive form of engagement possible. When considering stakeholders, it’s important to consider all groups involved, not just the most […]
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Post-Truths in Current Climates Environmental engagement is a process that involves three things: the what (an issue), the who (stakeholders), and the how (the way engagement/connections are being made). This week in ENVS 295, we focused on the “what” of environmental engagement. Many environmental issues are controversial and in the […]
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Effective Action The concept of effective action comes with a number of different ideas backing it up. In the most general way, effective action is seen as individuals or groups taking action in the most efficient and meaningful manner that makes it so the outcome is the most beneficial to […]
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