Background and Rationale for the Ecosystem Literacy Initiative (ELI)

Over the past 22 years, we helped create the field of ecology education, developing innovative curricula and teacher training programs used across the nation. The roster of these important programs, which have helped shape the way ecology is incorporated into the national science standards, includes Eco-Inquiry, Worm Worlds, Schoolyard Ecology and Investigating Urban Ecosystems (read more about these programs). These programs are unique because they are founded on both practical experience and cutting edge research on ecology teaching and learning. In addition to excellence in K-12 education, we are also a leading center for training the next generation of ecosystem scientists at the undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral and professional levels.

The Ecosystem Literacy Initiative (ELI) brings together the Institute's education and research missions in a focused effort to help all people understand their connections to the world around them. The mission is to develop a "language" of ecosystems for the public. The ELI nurtures a community of scholars, educators, and learners who are working together to understand how people learn about ecosystems, how to teach for ecosystem understanding, and how to spawn a new generation of scientists and educators to bring ecosystem thinking to their own work and to the world.

A committee, including Drs. Alan Berkowitz (chair), Charles Canham, Jonathan Cole and Steward Pickett, proposed the ELI to Director and President Dr. Gene E. Likens in September 2005. Formed to explore ways to strengthen the links between the science and education programs, the committee drew on insight from an outside review and periodic joint meetings of the education and research staff.