In 2006, Arkansas Earth Institute founder, Shelley Green, attended the annual gathering of the Northwest Earth Institute in Madison, Wisconsin. She was inspired by the supportive community and interactive discussions about taking action for the earth.  Shelley brought many important lessons back to Arkansas, including the foundational NWEI discussion courses, and began sharing them with others.  The NWEI discussion courses caught on quickly and discussion groups formed in Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, and Fayetteville.  In 2007, Shelley and a group of committed volunteers began organizing the Arkansas Earth Institute (AEI).  A short year later, 200 individuals had participated in discussion courses offered through AEI. Today, over 700 people have been inspired by their participation in courses held in the state and that number continues to increase.

The Arkansas Earth Institute (AEI) is a partner of the North American Network of the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI), a national leader in developing innovative programs that empower individuals and organizations to protect the earth.