Providing opportunities to examine and transform personal values and habits, thereby leading individuals and communities to act responsibly for the Earth.

The Northern California Earth Institute (NCEI) is a branch of the Northwest Earth Institute - a growing network of nine earth institutes and 30 affiliate groups striving to build a community of committed individuals who will actively participate in creating a healthy and sustainable world.

To this end we offer eight discussion courses for the workplace, faith community, school, and neighborhood: Sustainable Systems at Work, Global Warming: Changing Course; Choices for Sustainable Living; Menu for the Future, Voluntary Simplicity, Healthy Children - Healthy Planet, Discovering a Sense of Place, and Reconnecting with Earth. The groups or study circles are self-directed, and are based on readings and discussion questions assembled in course readers. The readers also contain ideas for action, resources, and further reading.

The discussion format is based on the premise that profound personal change is more likely to occur when individuals examine their attitudes, values, and habits in a supportive group of peers. Central to NCEI programs is the belief that there is no one right answer, and that each person's opinions are respected. Each group that forms is assigned a mentor who attends the first and last session, and helps the group get started. Upon completing a course, NCEI refers participants to local, like-minded groups so that their enthusiasm and passion for change can be translated into grassroots action for the Earth.

Contact Angel Rodriguez for more information (707-477-4564).