Are you interested in learning about environmental sustainability while connecting with people as part of a community of change? The Northwest Earth Institute<http://www.nwei.org/> (NWEI) offers several discussion courses on a variety of topics related to the intersection of society and the environment. These courses are tuition-free (aside from the cost of the course book), self-directed, and are designed to “give people a framework to talk about our relationship with the planet and to share in discovering new ways to live, work, create and consume.” The City of Tacoma recognizes the unique and engaging opportunity offered by NWEI, and is helping to organize a number of discussion courses based on people’s interest. If you are interested in being part of one or more discussion courses (ranging from 2-7 sessions, usually once per week), complete this poll by Sunday, March 29th indicating your course preferences and what times you are available to meet: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NWEIDiscussionCourses. Here is what one participant had to say about her experience: “I decided to participate in the "Voluntary Simplicity" course in 2014 because I was seeking to create a better work-life balance and needed to designate a few hours a week away from my long list of to-do's. My group was awesome! We were all at different stages of life with varying levels of awareness of "simple living" and different goals for the course. It was really fun to meet people in my community I never would have encountered, while going through a process that I think is very thoughtful and meaningful. ​I will definitely be participating in a course again this year and I highly recommend NWEI!” Offered courses include: Change by Degrees: Addressing the Climate Challenge<http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/addressing-climate-challenge/> | Choices for Sustainable Living<http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/choices-for-sustainable-living/> | Hungry for Change<http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/hungry-for-change-food-ethics-and-sustainability/> | Menu for the Future<http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/menu-for-the-future/> | Reconnecting With Earth<http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/sustainable-systems-at-work/> | Seeing Systems: Peace, Justice and Sustainability<http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/seeing-systems-peace-justice/> | Sustainable Systems at Work<http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/sustainable-systems-at-work/> | Voluntary Simplicity<http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/voluntary-simplicity/> | A World of Health<http://www.nwei.org/discussion-course-books/a-world-of-health-connecting-people-place-and-planet/> Email sustainability@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:sustainability@cityoftacoma.org> with questions. Emily Campbell Sustainability and Active Transportation Assistant AmeriCorps Member Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability City of Tacoma 253-591-5172 Tacoma Sustainability on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/TacomaSustainability>