Over the last year Cottonwood Institute has been working with Martin Ogle at Entrepreneurial Earth to spread the word about an initiative to change our collective language around “green jobs”. Environmental education has often focused on introducing  students to environmental or green careers in hopes of growing interest in this field. It’s a great field, but not everyone has the desire or aptitude to do these jobs. Youth should make choices about their future based on their skills, interests, and goals. Love of the natural world and concern for the environment can be part of ALL careers, regardless of the job you take.

The ALL careers approach seeks to turn our attention from career paths we deem “green” and include any and ALL careers to involve ways students can apply their ecological literacy. In this more inclusive paradigm, we can acknowledge that anyone in any career path can use their knowledge of ecology, their love of nature, or their concern for the environment to make what they do create change and a diverse and rich green economy. During Cottonwood Institute CAP classes instructors are beginning to engage students around this idea and how they can use what they learn in CAP class in any field they choose.

It’s not hard to make this small leap. You might even know a financial planner who loves nature and makes sure recycling is available at the office. Perhaps an attorney who sets up a corporate giving campaign to an environmental cause. Or a stylist who makes sure to use products with the least impact on the environment. There are many ways to make a difference and apply it to what we do everyday. As the famous Rumi quote says, “Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”

Part of the ongoing effort to introduce this idea and build momentum and understanding is an upcoming workshop at the Alliance Center on October 23rd, 2018. Please join us and many others to learn more and keep integrating what we all do with what we love and what we aim to protect.
Here are the the details:

Title: “How Can We Link Youth, Environment And The Economy?”
Tools teenagers need to connect environmental knowledge and ALL careers
Location: A public program at The Alliance Center: 1536 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202
Date: Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Cost: Free registration / Sponsorships sought

Please join us to advance an “ALL Careers approach” that empowers young people to connect environmental principles with ALL careers to create a sustainable world. This program will include: a presentation, panel discussion, networking, conversation and refreshments! Professionals in sustainability, education, business and non-profits are invited to attend. Students with interest in leading the advancement of the green economy are also welcome.

See more info and register at Eventbrite Registration/Info site for “ALL careers” program at The Alliance Center, Oct. 23, 2018.

For questions and sponsorship opportunities, contact Martin Ogle at Martin@EntrepreneurialEarth.com or 720-612-0506.