Vermont Earth Institute engages and supports Vermonters to reduce consumption and adopt environmentally sustainable practices in their homes, workplaces and communities.
802.881.2039
Vermont Earth Institute
PO Box 404
Burlington, VT 05402-0404
vt.earth.institute@gmail.com
Welcome to Vermont Earth Institute
Vermont Earth Institute (VEI) is a statewide non-profit that engages and supports Vermonters to reduce consumption and adopt environmentally sustainable practices in their homes, workplaces and communities.VEI's discussion courses and educational programs bring people together, raise their ecological awareness and facilitate profound change in values, habits and actions in caring for the environment.
VEI believes that grassroots activism can shift American attitudes and behaviors, helping people to live lighter, leading to an improved quality of life and a more just, ecologically-based economic system.
Founded in 1994, VEI has three part-time staff (in Burlington and Fairlee) and a cadre of 45 volunteers. Our affiliation with pre-eminent national sustainable living programs, the National Earth Institute Network and the Center For a New American Dream, enables us to offer Vermonters proven, successful programs.
something new ~ Oct. 18th through Nov. 24th, 2009: VEI's Eco Challenge!
VEI Program areas
VEI's discussion courses and educational programs bring people together, raise their ecological awareness and facilitate profound change in values, habits and actions in caring for the environment.DISCUSSION COURSES
The courses consist of self-facilitated, small group meetings, based on anthologies of the best writings on seven though-provoking topics: Voluntary Simplicity, Sustainable Food Choices, Choices for Sustainable Living, Deep Ecology, Discovering a Sense of Place, Healthy Children, Healthy Planet and Global Warming. The courses build community, increase understanding and motivate participants to take action to preserve the integrity of their communities and the natural environment. VEI has launched more than 500 discussion groups in 80 communities in the past nine years.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING NETWORKS
These community forums in Randolph, Montpelier, Brattleboro, Charlotte, Rutland, Burlington, Shelburne, and the Upper Valley are locally organized and offer education, support, and action for discussion course graduates and others.
HOME ECO-PARTIES & WORKPLACE CARBON LITE WORKSHOPS
Adapted for home or workplace use, these gatherings are a means to share strategies to reduce energy use, toxics, and waste. They are based on a checklist of items that is tailored to fit the workplace or participant's concerns.
SIMPLE LIVING LENDING LIBRARY
The lending library is a collection of books and videos on the subjects of simple and sustainable living. The collection has been in residence at eighty-five public libraries in Vermont and the Upper Valley since 2000.
OUTREACH
Annual Sustainable Living Celebration: One-day event with workshops, presentations and activities.
Speakers on the environment and sustainability: Nationally known speakers and VEI staff.
Communication: Quarterly newsletter and e-news bulletins and web site www.vtearthinstitute.org