About

The Arkansas Earth Institute (AEI) is an affiliate of the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI) which is recognized as a national leader in developing innovative programs that empower individuals and organizations to protect the earth. These programs emphasize individual responsibility, the importance of a supportive community, and the dual need to walk lightly on and to take action for the earth. By reaching out to people in their workplace, home, faith center, neighborhood, and community, AEI provides easy access to tools for individual and cultural change.

History of the Arkansas Earth Institute

In 2006, Shelley Green attended the annual gathering of the Northwest Earth Institute in Madison, Wisconsin, and was inspired to bring the discussion courses to Arkansas. The first courses to be offered were Voluntary Simplicity and Choices for Sustainable Living. Groups formed in Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs and Fayetteville. In 2007, Shelley and a small group of other committed volunteers began organizing the Arkansas Earth Institute. By the start of 2008, 200 individuals have participated in the discussion circles.

Founded in 1993 by long-time Portland, Oregon activists Jeanne and Dick Roy, Northwest Earth Institute initially brought a single course, Exploring Deep Ecology, into mainstream workplaces to engage people in earth-centered conversation. Today, NWEI and AEI volunteers offer a variety of programs in workplaces at noon, and in homes, centers of faith, neighborhoods, and other places where groups of 8 to 12 can meet.

In response to overwhelming desire for the courses outside of the Northwest, the North American Earth Institute Network and the Sister Earth Institutes were created to share the discussion courses with groups throughout North America and beyond.

The North American Network has over 600 volunteers organizing courses, presenting information on NWEI programs and mentoring others through the discussion course process. To date, cumulative enrollment has reached over 85,000 participants and courses have been offered in all 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, Sweden and New Zealand.