Changing lives, creating leaders : transformational environmental education

Abstract

Since 2001, the Rivershed Society of British Columbia (RSBC) has facilitated the Sustainable Living and Leadership Program (SLLP). This study investigated the phenomenon of learning and personal change in former program participants of the SLLP. Specifically, the research explored key features of the learning experience which may have been instrumental in influencing participants' beliefs and attitudes toward the environment. The study also investigated if and how these changes in values led to a shift in ecological praxis among participants and how such changes, if found, may have been applied in their home communities. Phenomenological interviews were employed to produce a rich description of three participants' learning experiences which highlight shifts in their ecological consciousness and action. This research adds to the growing body of knowledge and research regarding transformational learning and its use in environmental education programs. Additionally, the findings of this study will assist the RSBC in future programming initiatives of the SLLP.