ERIC Number: EJ1263938
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1205-5352
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Available Date: N/A
Digging at the Root of the Tree: Conceptualizing Relational Ecological Identity
Martin, Timothy
Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, v23 n3 p92-112 2020
The following is based on a qualitative study conducted with two not-for-profit organizations based in Hamilton, Ontario: A Rocha and Good Shepherd Centres. Guided by grounded theory and participatory action research (PAR) methodologies, my research examined Operation Wild, A Rocha's environmental education (EE) program for adults with disabilities. In this article, I draw on participant voices from that research to respond to and extend Mitchell Thomashow's (1996) work on ecological identity by suggesting that his conceptualization of the ecological self is theorized as a solely individualistic, anthropocentric concept. With guidance from literature by Indigenous and disability studies scholars, I outline a theory of relational ecological identity, which encourages the interdependent, intergenerational, and interactive components of ecological identity-building. The concept is explored by foregrounding the stories and perspectives that emerged from Operation Wild's participants.
Descriptors: Environmental Education, Ecology, Nonprofit Organizations, Foreign Countries, Adults, Disabilities, Participatory Research, Action Research, Individualism, Indigenous Knowledge
Canadian Journal of Environmental Education. Faculty of Education, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada. Fax: 807-346-7771; e-mail: cjee@lakeheadu.ca; Web site: http://cjee.lakeheadu.ca
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
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Author Affiliations: N/A