Who We Serve

The Institute is honored to have worked with so many leaders, organizations, and alliances that are making a day-to-day difference in the health of the planet and her people.  Over the last two years, the Institute has worked with over 1,000 organizations and 2,000 individual leaders. 

Based on our experience, we know that change must take place in individual leaders, organizations, communities and society in order to impact the natural and human world. We see our role as working in an integrated, cross-sector way to best foster effective environmental outcomes.  

Individual leader: Using a shared leadership model, we support people in key leadership roles and the development of new leadership, especially from new and diverse voices within a community.

Organization: Using a systems approach, we help leaders look at the dynamics of the whole organization to find solutions and to employ the most creative and productive practices.

Community: Supporting the development of coalitions and networks, we work collaboratively to cultivate a healthy ecosystem of organizations and leaders across a wide range of issues, approaches and size.

Society: Guided by a vision of environmental democracy, we facilitate deep civic engagement of leaders and organizations in their communities, and help citizens actively influence the well-being of the planet and human health through democratic participation in community and government.

We think successful change is facilitated in the following circumstances, and we will use these guidelines in developing our programs, selecting participants and promoting our services.  We believe that the strongest leverage for change is at the community level, and we will work in specific geographic areas with partner organizations, networks and ongoing coalitions to create a stronger community of support for leaders and synergy between stronger, healthier organizations.  We seek to work with leaders or groups that:

1. Demonstrate readiness for the work and an openness and willingness to learn about themselves, and to think critically and creatively about their organization and the larger environment.
2. Have the vision of building shared leadership to carry out their plans, and the commitment and resources to implement change.
3. Are committed to building civic engagement in their community and membership.
4. Actively seek to build diversity within their organization and to build collaboration with diverse leaders and constituencies.
5. Want to find solutions by using a systems approach to look at the dynamics of the whole organization.
6. Lead within the conservation, environmental, and environmetal justice  community or have emerging potential to be influential.

How Do We Support Leaders, Organizations and Networks?

Who We Partner With