Sustainable Environment Institute Report to the District Academic Senate

  • April 20: El Camino College Earth day: The SEI participated in a panel at the College’s Earth Day. Using the framework of Project Drawdown, this Earth Day Event focused on climate solutions in key sectors, education and environmental justice.
  • Our APRIL 25TH seminar hosted Didi Pershouse who shared her insights into the link between soil health, agriculture and mental health. She works in regenerative agriculture. It was well attended, 30 faculty in total.
  • On May 2nd and 3rd, the SEI attended the Annual Forum Symposium—a two day remote event sponsored by ECCLPs (Environment and Climate Change Literacy Projects) which is a consortium of institutions of higher education, including UCs and CSUs committed to embedding climate literacy into the curriculum.
  • We will be hosting our annual retreat for our Steering Committee on June 20.We will update you.
  • July 12: We are presenting at the state academic senate meeting in Pasadena July 12
  • We continue to work with UCLA programs that included a marine biology boat trip yesterday with people we are also working with and who are offering the SEI an actual space in their newly converted Spring Street facility DTLA.
  • We are working to increase our visibility within the District by attending District and regional events.Our support for Gold Creek and the BECAP program at AltaSea are examples of how we work with existing District organizations.This includes the CCCCE at WLAC and Gold Creek.
  • We continue to work with the LAUSD climate team as they have made great progress in getting the Board of Education to hire climate champions on every LAUSD campus. Our goal at the SEI is to find ways of developing first year climate curriculum for students who have already had some exposure to material in grades 11 and 12.
  • We continue to work with the AFT intern program and the offices of electeds to pressure Sacramento to dedicate funds to community college climate education.June 14 and June 19 are major dates for getting support for SB252, the fossil fuel divestment bill for CalPERS and CalSTRS.
  • The SEI hopes to have a summer intern starting July 10.This we are working out with the Climate Center at WLAC.

Here’s a polished blog-style rewrite of your update — conversational, structured, and ready to post on the SEI site or newsletter. It keeps your factual details but adds flow, section headers, and a narrative voice.

Spring Into Action: SEI Events and Partnerships Driving Climate Literacy Across California

The past few months have been full of collaboration, conversation, and connection as the Sustainable Environment Institute (SEI) continues advancing climate literacy and equity across higher education.

April 20 — Earth Day at El Camino College

SEI participated in a panel at El Camino College’s Earth Day celebration, where the focus was on climate solutions inspired by Project Drawdown. The event highlighted pathways toward a sustainable future—centered on education, equity, and environmental justice.

April 25 — Seminar with Didi Pershouse

Our April seminar featured Didi Pershouse, who shared her expertise on the deep connections between soil health, agriculture, and mental well-being. As a leading voice in regenerative agriculture, Didi offered practical insights into how healthy ecosystems support healthy minds. The session drew 30 engaged faculty participants, sparking lively discussion and ideas for classroom integration.

May 2–3 — ECCLPs Annual Forum Symposium

In early May, SEI joined the Annual Forum Symposium organized by ECCLPs (Environment and Climate Change Literacy Projects)—a statewide consortium of UCs, CSUs, and community colleges committed to embedding climate literacy in higher education. The two-day virtual event offered a dynamic exchange of strategies, showcasing how institutions are aligning climate goals with teaching and institutional transformation.

May 14 — Equity-Driven Climate Action

Later in May, SEI attended “Equity-Driven Climate Action: Higher Education Leading the Way” at Mt. San Antonio College, hosted by the Foundation for California Community Colleges.

Speakers, workshops, and networking sessions explored how equity and inclusion must be central to climate initiatives—on campuses and beyond. Attendees left with concrete strategies to build climate programs that serve all students and communities.

Looking Ahead: Retreats, Presentations, and Partnerships

  • June 20 — SEI’s Steering Committee Retreat will bring partners together to reflect, plan, and build momentum for the year ahead.
  • July 12 — SEI will present at the State Academic Senate meeting in Pasadena, continuing to share lessons from our regional collaborations.

We’re also deepening partnerships with UCLA programs, including a recent marine biology boat trip that connected SEI with researchers who are offering space in their new Spring Street facility in downtown Los Angeles.

District and Community Engagement

SEI continues to expand its visibility within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and across the region. Our collaborations with Gold Creek, the BECAP program at AltaSea, and the CCCCE at West Los Angeles College exemplify how we work alongside district organizations to strengthen environmental programs.

We also continue to partner with the LAUSD Climate Team, who recently achieved a major milestone: the Board of Education has committed to hiring climate champions for every LAUSD campus. SEI is now exploring ways to develop first-year climate curriculum that bridges high-school learning with community college pathways.

Advocacy and Policy

Beyond the classroom, SEI is working with the AFT intern program and local elected officials to advocate for sustained state funding for community college climate education.

Key upcoming dates include June 14 and June 19, as we push for legislative support of SB 252, the fossil fuel divestment bill aimed at CalPERS and CalSTRS.

Summer at SEI

Looking ahead, SEI plans to welcome a summer intern starting July 10, in partnership with the Climate Center at West Los Angeles College—a valuable opportunity to cultivate the next generation of sustainability leaders.

Together Toward a Climate-Literate Future

From local partnerships to statewide advocacy, SEI’s work this spring underscores a simple truth: progress happens through connection. By linking education, equity, and action, we’re building the foundation for a more sustainable—and more just—California.