Environmental Education Panel Discussion

Welcome to the Environmental Education Panel Discussion!

Date: Sat Apr 26 2025

Time: 11:00 AM

Location: Central Library London Public Library

Come join us for an inspiring and informative discussion on environmental education. Our panel of experts will share their insights and experiences on how we can apply what we learn into action to protect our planet. Whether you're a student, educator, or simply interested in learning more about sustainability, this event is perfect for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals and make a difference in our community!

Panelists:

Ryan Dunne: Ryan has been a Teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board for the past nineteen years, most recently he has spent the last three years as a Learning Coordinator for Science and Environmental Education. He is an advocate for specialized environmental and sustainability programming, coordinating and supporting the H3-ELP (Grade 10 environmental Leaders) and W.I.L.D. (Wilderness Interdisciplinary Leadership Development experiential course) in collaboration with the program teachers. He enjoys spending time completing DIY renovation projects and exploring the great outdoors with his Partner and their daughter.

Luis Patricio: Luis has been a teacher for more than thirty years and has participated in numerous environmental initiatives, including a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group, an urban farming project, a Bike-to-Work program, urban river cleaning efforts, guerrilla gardening, compost workshops, and Learn-to-Bike training. Currently, he teaches Environmental Stewardship at Huron University and co-leads the Youth Advisory Council at the HEAL (Human Environments Analysis Lab) at Western University. In his spare time, he practices Aikido at the Aiki Budo Centre, where he also serves as the lead instructor for the children's program.

Lesley Gittings: Lesley is an Assistant Professor in Western University’s School of Health Studies, where she teaches health sciences students about relationships between climate change and health. Lesley is a community-engaged researcher with an interest in the social and environmental factors that shape health across the life course. Her research focuses on: (1) participatory, nature-based and art-based approaches for youth health and well-being, and (2) social determinants of HIV and sexual and reproductive health. She engages strengths-based approaches rooted in social justice principles in her research and teaching.

Colleen Kelly: Colleen retired in 2018 from a career working in information technology at London Health Sciences Centre. Her retirement plan was to become active in some aspect related to the environment. Prior to retiring she began exploring options such as Fanshawe Horticulture Society, Re-forest London and Nature London. Her interest in the Catholic Women’s League 2-year theme ‘Care for Our Common Home’ provided a foundation from which to seek out information and resources to feed her curiosity regarding the environment. The committee that was formed in those 2 years continues to thrive long after the theme focus ended. More canning and improving her gardening skills have been a part of this equation of learning also.

Host or Publisher Earthfest London