HOWARD COUNTY LEGACY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: IS IT HOW YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
WHAT IS HOLLIE? Howard County Legacy Leadership Institute for the Environment (HoLLIE) is an intensive volunteer leadership and environmental education program for age 50+ adults. HoLLIE offered its inaugural institute in 2009 with classes held late January through early March and fieldwork from mid-March through September. Twenty-seven Maryland citizens have since graduated from HoLLIE, making significant contributions to county-based environmental initiatives.
To develop the HoLLIE program, seven Howard County environmental organizations worked for a year identifying a critical role description (environmental educator/change agent, habitat restorer, citizen scientist) and a broad, engaging curriculum to equip volunteers with knowledge and skills necessary for that role. HoLLIE’s partners for the 2009 institute included: o Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks o Howard County Office of Environmental Sustainability o Howard County Conservancy o University of Maryland Extension Howard County o Climate Change Initiative of Howard County o Friends of Patapsco Valley & Heritage Greenway o The James and Anne Robinson Foundation For 2010, a new partner, Howard County Public School System, joined the institute.
HOLLIE CLASSES CONSIST OF PRESENTATIONS, FIELD TRIPS, AND DISCUSSIONS Topics and speakers: o Top earth system scientists from NASA and Maryland universities explained how they study climate change globally and locally and what that research has taught them, with an included field trip to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. o Policy makers and leaders of environmental organizations described regional history, regulation, environmental cost-benefit issues, and consequences to ecological systems, including to humans. o Environmental experts explored environmental sustainability issues of the Chesapeake Bay and Howard County, with a focus on smart growth and on policies and actions fostering individual and organizational environmental stewardship. o Social scientists helped Legacy Leaders identify their strengths and gain skills in non-positional leadership and change agency. o Partner organizations introduced their organizations, explained volunteer role opportunities, and showed volunteers their sites on field trips. Other field trips (e.g. to the Enviro-Center, recycling center, an organic farm, Middle Patuxent Environmental Area and other natural settings) complemented speakers, bringing environmental issues, resources, and solutions to life. Graduates describe classes as: “Intellectually stimulating,” “well organized, thoroughly professional, intriguing, challenging, optimistic and encouraging,” and “engaging.”
FIELD PLACEMENTS The 150-hour mentored field placements in partner organizations from March through September complemented class learning and further developed Legacy Leaders’ site-specific knowledge, skills, and partner organization familiarity. They in turn helped partners craft new programs, launch new initiatives, and enhance mission-effectiveness.
2009 field placement roles included, for example, opportunities to: o Teach people how to garden with native plants for wildlife habitat. o Lead stream clean-ups and build a larger regional network of stream watchers. o After additional naturalist training, lead nature walks for children. o Research how homeowners’ association covenants inhibit environmentally sustainable practices by individual homeowners and suggest modifications. o Help identify and develop resources for the county’s new web-based environmental resource center, “Green Central Station.” o Explore best practices for ways foundations support county-run nature centers.
2010 field placement roles include, but are not limited to, opportunities to: o Plan and/or implement programming for new Robinson Nature Center or for the Howard County Conservancy. o Aid organizations and communities to start climate change discussion groups. o Coordinate volunteer resources for HCPS environmental education initiatives. o After additional training, present elementary and middle school nature programs. o Coordinate finance, recreation, or stream watches for Friends of Patapsco. o Conduct historical research for interpretive programs at Robinson Nature Center. o Assist Friends of Patapsco with capacity building and volunteer coordination.
OUTCOMES OF HOLLIE THUS FAR
HOLLIE 2012 IS NOW RECRUITING – INFORMATION NIGHT Tuesday, October 4 If you, like prior HoLLIE participants, want to take your concern for the environment into greater knowledge, organized activity, and effective networking, you will want to attend an information night to be held from 7:00 – 8:30 pm October 4, at the Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044. The evening will provide an overview of the program and an opportunity to hear from Hollie graduates about their experience with the program.
Starting Wednesday, February1, 2012, Howard County Legacy Leadership Institute for the Environment (HoLLIE) will hold classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm for six weeks, followed by a 150-hour mentored field placement from March through September 2012 in a partner organization. There is a $50 course fee.
For more information, see our website http://www.howardllie.com/ or contact:
Barbara Schmeckpeper, Ph.D., Coordinator Cathy Hudson, Coordinator Howard County Legacy Leadership Howard County Legacy Leadership Institute for the Environment Institute for the Environment 410-381-5279 410-796-7232
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