Friday, January 15 – Capacity building and pooling of resources were key phrases echoed when members of the Environmental Education Strategy working group met on Wednesday to further deliberate on The Natural Step Framework as an approach to the Territory’s adoption of an Environmental Education Strategy.
One highlight of the meeting was a teleconference with senior advisor for The Natural Step Framework in Canada, Ms. Sarah Brookes, who outlined the history and development of the framework, expanded on a capacity building proposal put forth by The Natural Step Canada for implementation within the Territory and answered questions from the group.
The meeting’s facilitators, Ms. Melony Glasgow of the Conservation and Fisheries Department, Ms. Alegra Jennings of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and Ms. Charlotte McDevitt of Green VI, also supported discussions of the implementation of The Natural Step Framework.
Subsequently, the group identified and discussed water, food, waste, energy and the natural environment as themes for addressing the issue of sustainability in the Territory.
Speaking with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Ms. Glasgow said the implementation of The Natural Step Framework will be a guiding tool in developing an Environmental Education Strategy for the Territory.
Ms. Glasgow said, “By using The Natural Step Framework, everyone will be on the same wave length so we can start speaking the same language as it relates to sustainability.”
Co-facilitator, Ms. Charlotte McDevitt, added that, “The Natural Step also takes the form of a train-the-trainer approach and this will help aid in the Territory’s ability to build capacity over a wide spectrum.”
The Natural Step (TNS) Framework uses a science-based approach to help individuals, communities or organisations take steps towards sustainability. It serves to make the concept of sustainability easier to understand by providing a strategic planning framework for related initiatives.
The key objective of this project’s implementation in the Territory is to enable sustainability capacity and set the stage for further development of strategic sustainability expertise.
As the lead agency for environment management, the Conservation and Fisheries Department envisions an environment which is well managed, protected and preserved to maintain the unique ecological features and natural beauty of the Territory, while meeting the developmental needs of residents.
British Virgin Islands News