Adult Ed Sustainability
Newsletter
November 2023 Edition
Information to Increase Sustainability in Adult Education
Climate Literacy. Green Job Pathways. Campus Sustainability
Got info to share? Email Cynthia at gcteachercynthia@gmail.com
Note: California is my home base and often highlighted.
Climate Conversations
Our fifth zoom gathering to discuss Adult Ed Sustainability took place on Tuesday, November 14th. Los Angeles folks presented on how they are integrating climate literacy and green job pathways into their Adult Ed Division of LA Unified and included in LA Unified’s Climate Literacy / Climate Literacy Champion Program. It was inspiring, motivating, and exciting!
Our next zoom gathering will be Tuesday, February 6 at 4 pm. Calendar invite link to Feb 6 convo.
If you are interested in learning more about these conversations, reading past notes, or getting on the email list, email me at gcteachercynthia@gmail.com.
Green Jobs
What Is A Green Job?
Growing Quality Green Jobs Key Takeaways
- A just transition will require removing the limitations around how we define and categorize green jobs and the transferable skills needed to build a climate-resilient future and workforce.
- All jobs have the potential to become quality green jobs through the intentional integration of green skills, knowledge, and job-quality standards.
- The future of green jobs presents an opportunity to disrupt traditional methods of analysis to focus on roles that are more accessible to low-income communities and people of color, who are vastly underrepresented in the green economy.
California
Input Alert for Californians
- What are the implications for Adult Ed re: Green Job Pathways?
- Currently sent to agencies for feedback
- Big opportunity for those who are able to provide input
Climate is Key California Priority
- Data & Bullet Points: California Climate Commitment
- 53.9 billion $ for climate in CA across 6 years
- Questions to Consider:
- Is Climate a clear priority in Adult Ed?
- Is it discussed at CAEP - California Adult Ed Program?
- Is it part of discussions around funding and COLA?
- Is it a strand at conferences?
- Is it on the drop down menu of any Adult Ed org or agency in CA?
- Does CA include Adult Ed in Climate policy/planning/funding?
- Are Adult Ed folks invited to work groups?
- Are Adult Ed folks involved in planning Green Job pathways?
- Where are and aren’t Adult Learner and Alumni voices included in this?
- Action Step: Opportunity for Connection and/or Input
- Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice - Moises Moreno Rivera
- https://calepa.ca.gov/about/bios/moises-moreno-rivera-deputy-secretary-for-environmental-justice-tribal-affairs-and-border-relations/
- Moisés created agency-wide working groups to align and prioritize efforts to remove barriers to state funding, advance language access, meaningfully expand community outreach and engagement and more.
- Can CA Adult Ed connect with Mr. Moreno Rivera
- On the topic of language accessibility?
- Maybe be part of this working group?
Green Job Alert: Native Plant Landscaper Free Certification Classes in California
- Free Certification Program for Native Plant Landscaping from CNPS - California Native Plant Society.
- Across California, native plant gardens are blooming everywhere, creating growing demand for landscapers with native plant expertise. The California Native Plant Landscaper Certification Program (CNPLC) is designed with these opportunities in mind.
- Created and taught by California native plant experts, this program is designed to provide job training for existing and aspiring landscape professionals.
- According to a survey by the American Landscapers Association, native plants are expected to be the #1 landscaping trend in coming years.
- The class is held in English and in Spanish. Classes are listed when they are open for registration and removed once they are full. This round of classes is supported by the Saratoga Horticultural Research Endowment and are free to participants.
- Register Now. 2024 Class List coming soon.
Be Ready for Climate Events in California
- Encourage your Adult Ed community - students & staff - to sign up for emergency alerts.
- Choice of language for alerts sometimes available.
Climate Education and Certification in CA
- California Naturalist Program
- Climate Steward Program
- Gain knowledge; make connections; build network
- Earn a certificate
- Weekly meetings in person or online plus field trips
- Cost varies according to location
Adult Ed School or Program Spotlights
- LA Unified’s Climate Literacy / Climate Literacy Champion Program
- Adult Schools in LA Unified are participants in this program
Resources
November is Native American Heritage Month
- Braiding Sweetgrass - author Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Cultural Fire in CA with Don Hankins - podcast episode
- Fresh Banana Leaves - author Jessica Hernandez
- California Native Plants
- CA State Indian Museum
- California State Parks Tribal Affairs Program
- Karuk Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the Need for Knowledge Sovereignty: | karuk climate change projects
- Quiet Quail Books
- Save California Salmon - Educators Resources includes Curriculum
Accessibility, Inclusion, Translation
- Climate Cardinals - translation of climate information
- Disabled Hikers
- Indigenous Women Hike
- Latino Outdoors
- LA Nature For All
- Outdoor Afro
- Outdoor Asian
Education & Professional Development
- Outdoor Learning Store - non profit
- Professional development & webinars
- The Outdoor Learning Store - YouTube
Books to Read or Listen to
- The Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell | Hachette Book Group
- Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge, Gies
Conferences
- Costly in money and time. Also invaluable ways to share, connect, learn.
- Action Step: Consider presenting on a topic relating to sustainability, climate literacy, green job pathways, adult learner driven climate work.
- Now is the time to think and prepare proposals to present!
- If attending, consider bridging up these topics in conversations and workshops.
- Consider a Gofundme if you need $ to attend.
Upcoming Adult Ed Conferences
- Reno, NV
- October 29 - November 1, 2024
- Feb 8-9, 2024
- Sacramento, CA (state capitol)
- CCAE California Council for Adult Ed State Conference
- Spring 2024
- Anaheim, CA (Disneyland!)
- March 17-20, 2024
- Nashville, TN
- In person and remote options for presenting and attending
Adult Ed Sustainability Slide Decks
- Below are slide decks from presentations I’ve given.
- Feel free to use, adapt, etc.
- Credit to me appreciated.
- Got a slide deck or resource you’re willing to share here or on the AES website?
- Or need a presentation for your school or program and willing to pay $?
- Email me at gcteachercynthia@gmail.com
- Slide Decks
- Presented at COABE 2022 Conference
- Presented at CCAE 2023 State Conference
- Presented at AAACE 2023 Conference
- Presented January 2023
Support This Work - Make it Sustainable
Hosting the website, paying for pro level zoom, and presenting at conferences all cost money. Support this work by tipping me at Buy Me A Coffee
Without some financial support, it is not sustainable for me to continue this work.
