Four local residents attended a workshop in Colorado focused on climate change, environmental justice, and building education programs in local communities through teacher professional development and productive partnerships.
The workshop from July 17 to 24 was held at Estes Park Center and funding was through a partnership of the National Park Service and Shelburne Farms, an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future.
The four participants from American Samoa were Jessica Epperson, National Park Service, Interpretation and Education Supervisor, Kendra Pinsker, Pacific Horizons School Environmental Education Facilitator, Gavin Homsany, Student Representative and Consultant from Pacific Horizons School and former House Representative Andra Samoa, Community Advocate, and Coordinator of the restoration of Leone village coastal wetland project.
According to the team, “Having to be 8,000 and 12,000 feet above sea levels at Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain is a real contrast from our beautiful lush green mountains in American Samoa.”
They said climate change impacts defy any boundaries or geographic location.
“All land, air, space, stream, watershed, ocean are all interconnected.”
The goals of the workshop include:
• Build PEC Communities of Learning, Inquiry and Practice at the local and national level.
• Generate ideas for equity-centered climate change learning opportunities.
• Demonstrate how education programs can strengthen student agency.
• Develop plans for teacher professional development.
The local participants said they will strive to meet the goals of the workshop in their work.
