The Place-based Education for Environmental Stewardship and Community Engagement program will focus on developing the knowledge, perspectives, systemic thinking, and skills needed to advocate for social and environmental justice and equity, democratic participation, and the preservation of sustainable communities and ecosystems. The program will be designed for anyone working within K-12 educational settings as well as individuals outside of the field of formal education who have an interest in issues related to sustainability, community problem-solving, and community well-being. The certificate program can be completed within 12 months and all courses will be held on Grand Valley State University's Pew campus in downtown Grand Rapids.

More specifically, students will be provided with opportunities to:

• Understand the principles and implementation of place-based education that nurtures and augments academic and ecological literacy
• Develop insight into the cultural, historical, economic, and environmental character of one's place
• Recognize the unique issues that threaten the health and well-being of the inhabitants (both human and non-human) of a particular place
• Cultivate a sense of responsibility, agency, and empowerment in facing these challenges and designing sustainable solutions