PBL

In this third article in the series on Planetary Restoration Workforces, we explore the essential roles dedicated to restoring and preserving our environment. As cities worldwide expand, the need for sustainable infrastructure and green spaces becomes increasingly vital. Enter the Urban Ecologist, a professional who blends urban planning with ecological principles to ensure that growing cities remain healthy, vibrant, and in harmony with the environment. Urban ecology studies ecosystems in urban areas, focusing on the relationship between living organisms and their built environment. “A city is not the problem. It’s the solution.” ~ Jaime Lerner In the 20th Century, activist Jane Jacobs advocated for inclusive city planning in New York City, where all residents are involved in shaping the urban environment to ensure sustainability​. She spent her life collaborating with the neighborhoods and communities to develop a center for design review for the city's real estate developers. In 2005, urban ecologists founded The Center for the Living City to build on Ms. Jacobs' work. The Center aims to expand the understanding of contemporary urban life and inspire civic engagement and creative responses for advancing social, economic, and environmental justice. When I first read the story about the former mayor of…...

We recently spoke with educators from The Skola, a nature-based independent elementary school nestled in Whitefish, Montana. Here, breathtaking mountains, forests, and waterways are the classroom. They shared their exciting journey of integrating Project Based Learning (PBL) and Place-Based Learning into their curriculum, including a captivating project exploring the dual nature of fire. Let's begin by introducing yourselves: Patty, Curriculum Director and Founder of The Skola - I'm by training a speech and language pathologist (SLP) and have worked in schools for more than 15 years. I have expertise in literacy and language. Those are my really big loves! Brooke, Director and Founder of The Skola - I'm also an SLP. I started out with adults doing more neurotrauma, head injuries, and strokes—I’ve always been interested in the brain. Then, I started working in outpatient therapy with kids who had social and executive function challenges. I became fascinated with the overlay of executive functioning and social-emotional learning and how they were really one in the same in many ways. I also helped start an outdoor camp in Maine for Neurodivergent kids. Karen, Outdoor Educator at The Skola- I'm the outdoor educator at the Skola. I have degrees in Latin and…...