Share your ideas and aspirations at a MEES Listening Session this August!

[Evan Kuras]

Hi MEES Community!

MEES invites you to join us for our upcoming Listening Sessions in August, part of our Strategic Planning process. We are counting on your input to help MEES explore and dream about the future of the environmental education community in Massachusetts (and how MEES can play a role in bringing that future to life)!

These hourlong, informal group discussions are part of our statewide assessment to understand the challenges, support structures, and aspirations shared by current and aspiring environmental educators — an expansive definition that includes any professionals who help facilitate a connection to, understanding of, and appreciation for nature and our planet (including sectors such as outdoor recreation, farm education, climate justice, etc.)

Your voice can make a huge difference here!

Below are the dates for the Listening Sessions. Note that each session has a topical or regional focus - we hope to reach a few corners of the state, the workforce, and the profession that have been historically under-listened-to in MEES strategy.  

Please register for up to 1 session that applies to you by clicking the hyperlinks below. 

Monday August 5, 6-7 pm: open to all Salem Sound Coastwatch (North Shore / in-person) 12 Federal St, Salem

Wednesday August 7, 10-11 am: open to all Roots Rising (Berkshires / in-person) 923 Barker Rd, Pittsfield

Thursday August 8, 4-5 pm Focus: Outdoor Recreation sector (virtual)

Monday August 12, 5-6 pm Focus: Early Career professionals and students (virtual)

Tuesday August 13, 3-4 pm: open to all Manomet (South Coast / in-person) 125 Manomet Point Rd, Plymouth

Please help us spread the word to your networks and colleagues! We are especially hoping to center perspectives that have historically been underrepresented in this field, including BIPOC, disabled, neurodivergent, low-income and/or LGBTQ+ professionals (and educators who serve these communities).

This session will be facilitated by the Lloyd Center for the Environment and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Research Team, on behalf of MEES.

Sessions will be conducted in English, and Closed Captions will be available for virtual meetings. If you need any other accommodations for this event to be accessible to you, let us know on the registration form or contact megha...@massmees.org.

See you at a Listening Session!

Evan,

On behalf of the MEES Board

PS: Our sixth listening session is hosted by POCIE (Professionals of Color in the Environment) but registration is already closed.

PPS: If you are unable to attend a session, there will be other opportunities to share your ideas and aspirations - stay tuned for a future email! 

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Evan Kuras (he/him/his)

Writing from the ancestral and colonized land of the Massa-adchu-es-et (Massachusett) and Wôpanâak (Wampanoag) Nations (learn more)