Program coordinator Marianist Environmental Education Center
Growing interest in ecological spirituality by both religious communities and secular participants creates opportunities for experiential ecology learning through natural history. The Marianist Environmental Education Center (https://Meec.center) offers hikes, land restoration education, service experiences, and citizen science projects through inaturalist.org, drawing University of Dayton students and adult participants. Ecological spirituality and ecological education are two of seven goals of the Laudato si Action Platform, a global Catholic movement to achieve environmental justice and sustainability by 2030 https://lauadtosiactionplatform.org. Sharing common experiences of appreciation, awe, and wonder, ecologists can partner with faith-based initiatives to increase ecological literacy and informed, environmental decision-making.
