10
The Kohler Environmental Center
TAKES ROOT Creating a sustainable world one day at a time BY MAGALY OLIVERO
Anyone worried about the future of our planet need only speak with students of the Kohler Environmental Center (KEC) at Choate Rosemary Hall to regain a sense of optimism. These individuals are working to create a better world right now, whether assisting people displaced by environmental upheaval, providing cities worldwide with the expertise to create net-zero energy buildings, or helping nonprofit agencies secure funding to support climate solutions.
Established in 2012 with funding by Herbert V. Kohler Jr. ’57, the Kohler Environmental Center is Choate’s leading-edge immersive research and education facility, housing the signature Environmental Immersion Program, a yearlong interdisciplinary program for students who are dedicated to understanding and preserving the natural environment. A decade later, the KEC remains a model for sustainable living and learning. “The Environmental Immersion Program gives students a knowledge base, a skill set, and a way of looking at the world that allows them to be major contributors to help deal with the world’s environmental problems and environmental justice reforms as they continue on in their education and careers,” says Joe Scanio, KEC Program Director.
Many students who have participated in the program credit the KEC with turning their interest in nature into a passion that guides their academic, professional, and personal endeavors. Learning takes place beyond the traditional classroom setting, allowing students to understand the connection between the environment and other disciplines. A walk through the forest sparks conversations about poets who were inspired by nature. Dinnertime discussions with peers and faculty focus on the challenges posed by responsible food sourcing. Student research projects shed light on how climate change impacts social justice, economic growth, and residential displacement. “The environment touches every aspect of our lives, where we live, work and play; what we eat; how we interact with others and much more,” says Scanio. “It’s all connected.” The KEC’s academically vigorous curriculum and emphasis on communal living also help students develop leadership, communication, and resiliency skills. “They are doing this challenging work alongside a community of people who share their passion for the environment,” says Scanio. “It’s extremely impactful.”
Meet three Kohler Environmental Center alumni who are moving the needle every day when it comes to creating a more sustainable and environmentally just world.
