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Learning is at the core of successful communities. Even the best strategies for individual, lifelong learning cannot replace public learning processes. Community members need opportunities to gather information, share perspectives, and deliberate together—the essence of our Community Learning services.
Community Learning services include:
 Design and implementation of public learning, education, dialogue, and engagement processes
Development of community partnerships and support, including with media, public officials, education institutions, and non-governmental organizations
Collaborative design, research, and writing processes for educational materials
Design and implementation of processes that promote the honest consideration of a range of ideas as the basis for community action and influencing pubilc decision-making
Workshop planning and facilitation
Facilitator training
Project management
Sample clients and projects
The National Geographic Society and Greater Yellowstone Coalition — Design and support for a public process leading to publication of a geotourism map and guide to promote appropriate, sustainable tourism in the region surrounding Yellowstone National Park. Our involvement includes web design, project promotion, map site selection, interviews, and content writing.
The Nature Conservancy — Design, research, and materials development for "Water for Our Future," a public education and discussion program about water management in South Florida. Public forums involving community, business, and local government leadership helped build support for a $2 billion bond to help fund a state/federal partnership to restore water flow in the Everglades. Consulted on process design and facilitator training.
World Wildlife Fund and Monterey Bay Aquarium — Research, writing, and process design for the "Fisheries for the Future" project. In this project, aquaria, national marine sanctuaries, and other wildlife organizations around the U.S. hosted public discussions about worldwide fisheries issues and how to resolve them.
Study Circles Resource Center — We have collaborated on several projects with this national organization that helps local communities build their capacity for community dialogue and change. Publications include Protecting Communities and Serving the Public: Police and Residents Building Relationships to Work Together and Building Strong Neighborhoods for Families with Children.
Collaborating with SCRC and Congressional Exchange, we researched and authored a publication entitled, Smart Talk for Growing Communities. Then-Vice President Gore announced a partnership of federal agencies and national non-profit groups aimed at promoting Smart Talk study circles in communities around the country. Partners included the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, Urban Land Institute, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and National Association of Counties.
Charles F. Kettering Foundation — Collaborative development of a workshop curriculum and instructional publication on deliberative community processes.
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