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