RCE Greater Burlington-2018
a) Criteria/ indicators used to assess aspects of RCE work/ project: Character count 300 words:
The Greater Burlington RCE engaged in a robust self-evaluation process during February-May 2018 through a partnership with NR206, a capstone service-learning course for seniors at the University of Vermont. The central goal of the student project was to interview members of the Greater Burlington community to catalogue individual and group sustainability education efforts. By carrying out informal interviews with businesses, nonprofits and faculty, the students assisted us in strengthening the Greater Burlington Sustainability Education Network (GBSEN), as well as widening the original network. Over the course of the project, they were able to complete 25 informal interviews in which they gauged interest in being part of the GBSEN network as well as assessed progress towards specific sustainability goals. The project culminated in a networking event for all the current and prospective members at ArtsRiot in the City of Burlington on April 18, 2018. The students presented their synthesized interviews and provided an overview of the project’s progress (followed by hors d'oeuvres!). They then helped us facilitate an open dialogue between guests and GBSEN members to discuss the theoretical and practical implementation of these sustainability goals. Following the event at ArtsRiot, the students helped us create an interactive and informative GBSEN website. From the informal interviews to the successful networking event at ArtsRiot, it was apparent that SDGs fostered by GBSEN are flourishing.
b) Successes of the RCE and lessons learned: Character count 300 words:
In addition to undertaking the robust self-study described above, GBSEN also sent a team of eight volunteers representing the to Puerto Rico over Spring Break to assist with ongoing hurricane relief efforts there. Much of the island was severely impacted by Hurricane Maria on September 20th, and many farms, forests, and communities were devastated. Ongoing relief efforts have been making a big difference, but six months later there continues to be a tremendous amount of work to be done. We are also working with our sustainability partners in Puerto Rico to develop a successful application to become an RCE.
c) Challenges experiences: Character count 300 words:
The main challenge we see on the horizon is to come up with an effective governance model to coordinate the vision and activities of our growing network. We are also very interested in hosting the Americas Gathering of RCEs in 2019, so we are looking forward to embracing this exciting challenge, should we be selected.
