News and Events

EECP Seminar Series

The Environmental Ethics Seminar lectures feature a variety of environmental ethics-related topics from university faculty and guest lecturers. Lectures are open to the public and required for students enrolled in EETH 4000/6000 Environmental Ethics Seminar.

EECP Philosopher's Walks

Philosopher's Walks are guided hikes that provide participants with opportunities to experience, connect with, and discuss places of environmental interest.  They are organized by the UGA Environmental Ethics Certificate Program (EECP) and are open to the public.

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EECP Seminar Series: Sustainability in the Built Environment

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 5:30pm

Jackson Street Building, Room 125
285 S Jackson Street, Athens, GA 30602

“Sustainability in the Built Environment”

Joe Rozza, Chief Sustainability Officer with Ryan Companies

This seminar will explore:

• General state sustainability in the commercial real estate development and construction sector.
• Developing a compelling, organization-specific business case for sustainability.  This includes both the risks and opportunities facing enterprises.
• Ryan Companies “Thriving Sustainably” business strategy.  This will cover the stakeholder engagement process as well as the strategy.
• Development and deployment of sustainability programs.  This will cover climate protection, water stewardship, sustainable materials, waste management, biodiversity, supplier sustainability, and marketing/communications.
• Integrating strategy into business processes and decision-making.  This will cover best practices and guiding principles for business integration.
• The role of CSO and the necessary skill set.

EECP Philosopher's Walks: Edible Plants Walk

Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 9am

Starting at the Physics Bus Stop and ending at the Geography Green Roof

Join the EECP and Concrete Jungle Athens on an edible plants walk through campus where we'll discuss food insecurity and the plants we pass everyday that can help.

One in eight Georgians are food insecure, lacking reliable access to affordable, nutritious food, thus contributing to negative health outcomes. Food-insecure individuals are 2-3 times more likely to have diet-related chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. At the same time, food loss and waste in the US is higher than any other country. Concrete Jungle exists in the gap between food insecurity and food waste.

The walk is expected to last 1.5-2 hours. Bring comfortable hiking shoes and some water. 

EECP Pop-Up Seminar: Finding Water Spider: Perpetuating an Enstoried Cherokee Ecology through Community-driven Research in 'Cherokee Earth Dwellers: Stories and Teachings of the Natural World'

Monday, October 16, 2023 at 3:30-4:30 pm

Jackson Street Building, Critique Space

"Finding Water Spider: Perpetuating an Enstoried Cherokee Ecology through Community-driven Research in 'Cherokee Earth Dwellers: Stories and Teachings of the Natural World'"

Christopher B. Teuton (Cherokee Nation), ᏃᏱ ᏍᏚᎢᏍᏗ, Professor and Chair of the Department of American Indian Studies and Adjunct Professor Department of English, University of Washington

Ayetli gadogv—to "stand in the middle"—is at the heart of a Cherokee perspective of the natural world. From this stance, Cherokee Earth Dwellers offers a rich understanding of nature grounded in Cherokee creature names, oral traditional stories, and reflections of knowledge holders. During his lifetime, elder Hastings Shade created booklets with over six hundred Cherokee names for animals and plants. With this foundational collection at its center, and weaving together a chorus of voices, this book emerges from a deep and continuing collaboration between Christopher B. Teuton, Hastings Shade, Loretta Shade, and others.

Positioning our responsibilities as humans to our more-than-human relatives, teachings about the body, mind, spirit, and wellness that have been shared for generations. From clouds to birds, oceans to quarks, this expansive Cherokee view of nature reveals a living, communicative world and humanity's role within it.

Co-sponsored by the EECP and Jace Weaver, Franklin Professor of Religion and Native American Studies

EECP Seminar Series: Rebirth of the American Chestnut as a Dominant Forest Species in Eastern North America

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 5:30pm

Jackson Street Building, Room 125
285 S Jackson Street, Athens, GA 30602

“Rebirth of the American Chestnut as a Dominant Forest Species in Eastern North America”

Scott Merkle, Professor of Forest Biology

The American chestnut once dominated large portions of our eastern forests, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains. It was a multi-use tree, providing strong, durable timber and a reliable nut crop consumed by people and wildlife. The chestnut blight fungus, accidentally introduced into the US in the late 1800s, eliminated chestnut as a canopy species in 50 years. While various approaches were tried to halt the spread of chestnut blight, and later, to restore the tree, current plans call for deployment of chestnuts engineered with a gene that prevents the fungus from killing the tree. It appears likely that chestnuts with this gene will be approved for release by the relevant federal regulatory agencies within the next few years.

EECP Social: Fall Bonfire

Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 5:30pm

Founder's Garden, Upper Terrace
325 S. Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30602

As the weather gets cooler and the semester nears it's end, join us in the Founder's Garden for an end of semester bonfire social. We will have s'mores and warm drinks to fuel the end of Fall!

EECP Seminar Series: Rivercane: Cultural Workhorse and Ecological Powerhouse

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 5:30pm

Jackson Street Building, Room 125
285 S Jackson Street, Athens, GA 30602

David Cozzo, Formerly of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Extension Center and author of “Under the Rattlesnake: Cherokee Health and Resiliency” will be discussing the Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources.

EECP Philosopher's Walks: How to Recreate Responsibly

Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 9am - ~12pm

Shaking Rock Park

Join the EECP and UGA's Climbing Club to learn how outdoor recreation impacts the places we love to play in nature.

Named for a huge rock that could once be shaken by the force of your hand, we will be visiting Shaking Rock Park, located in Oglethorpe County, which is a ~25-minute drive from Athens. Learn about how outdoor recreation intersects with local history and impacts land management. Is graffiti ever okay? What counts as defacement? What is Leave No Trace and how do we practice it?

Afterward, learn about the basics of bouldering and even try a route or two! Climbing shoes and water are recommended. 

If you are interested in carpooling, please fill out this form HERE.

Note that carpooling will meet on campus at 8:15am.