University of Richmond
EN-12: Continuing Education

1. INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE
In-person: In this course, students will learn and begin to apply the fundamental principles of permaculture. They will begin by exploring their current worldview of how they look at such permaculture elements as agriculture and landscape design, then learn how trained permaculturalists look at these fields via permaculture ethics and design principles. Instructor-led (start dates vary) through SPCS.

2. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Online: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the concept of organizations taking responsibility for their impact on society and the environment. Businesses which embrace CSR promote the public interest through what they do and what they refrain from doing. CSR is the inclusion of the public interest into corporate decision-making. Self-paced (three months access) through MindEdge.

3. GVI FOUNDATIONS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Powered by GVI: Foundations in Sustainable Development is GVI’s flagship program. It provides those who would like to make a positive impact an introduction into the “for good” sector. Participants learn about the field as a whole and gain preliminary insight into a specific field. Consists of three courses that are designed to be completed within three days each. Self-paced (two weeks).

4. AN OVERVIEW OF SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
Online: Sustainable management is managing a firm so that it generates profits for its owners, protects the environment, and improves the lives of the people with whom it interacts. This course provides an overview of sustainable management, and discusses the role of government and regulation in sustainable management practices. Self-paced (three months access) through MindEdge.

5. TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE ACCOUNTING
Online: The Triple Bottom Line concept, also known as the 3Ps (People, Planet, and Profit), is both a metaphor for thinking about sustainability as well as the basis for a practical framework for accounting and reporting on organizations activities and impacts. The TBL concept borrows the well-known and widely accepted idea of financial accounting and its bottom line and expands it. Self-paced (three months access) through MindEdge.

6. WINTER WEATHER WARNING: USING WEATHER TO INFORM ORGANIZATIONAL DECISION MAKING
In-person: This course equips organization leaders with best-practices for critical decision making and safety planning before and during extreme and severe winter weather. Instructor-led by Richmond meteorologist Jim Duncan.

7. SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT: LEADERSHIP ETHICS
Online: Leaders are increasingly being held responsible and accountable for the manner in which they lead—and if they are adhering to ethical behavior when they make decisions. Leading in an ethical manner can provide a clear advantage in building a thriving enterprise. Self-paced (three months access) through MindEdge.

8. Permaculture Design Certificate
Permaculture is an ethically based design approach to creating sustainable human communities. Although rooted in agriculture, permaculture design also touches on regional planning, ecology, architecture and international development. Our Permaculture Design Certificate is offered through a special partnership with the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute. The certificate is designed for those interested in learning design techniques to build a more sustainable community in their backyard, their neighborhood or their city. The certificate will cover ethics, design, and sustainability issues. It will also give students practical techniques that can be applied to their gardens, farms and homes.

9. Climate Crisis and Clean Energy Impact Academy

Surface and ocean temperatures, as well as carbon dioxide levels, are at an all-time high. The ice at both of Earth’s poles is melting, resulting in rising global sea levels. Evidence also suggests that higher ocean temperatures are causing a greater incidence of tropical storms. Warmer seas are also killing corals. Despite the need for professionals working on this key global issue, breaking into the field is a challenge. You need practical experience to gain a junior position as a climate research associate, renewable energy engineer or environmental economist. Our Climate Crisis and Clean Energy program provides this.

10. Marine Conservation Impact Academy
Our oceans are brimming with life—from massive blue whales to microscopic plankton. But every year, roughly 17.6 billion pounds of plastic is dumped into the ocean—the same as nearly 57,000 blue whales. Our oceans also support human life—from regulating the Earth’s temperature to supporting livelihoods. A career in marine conservation isn’t always clear from the outset. With so many options—from conservation policy and field science, to managing nonprofits, to park operations—you need guidance and a head start. You need theoretical knowledge, practical experience and contextual understanding. Harness your passion for the ocean and join the Marine Conservation program.

11. Environmental and Corporate Sustainability Impact Academy
From lush rainforests to rolling agricultural plains, complex environmental ecosystems make up our planet. As human beings, we are entirely dependent on their sustained existence. But how do we maintain the complex balance between meeting our current development needs, and ensuring our resources are not depleted beyond repair? How do we repair what’s already been lost Career paths in environmental and corporate sustainability vary greatly. With so many options—from environmental science, to program management, to corporate responsibility consulting—you need direction and a foot in the door. You need theoretical knowledge, practical experience and contextual understanding. When you expand your skill-set in sustainability and join the Environmental and Corporate Sustainability program, you’ll be connected to job opportunities in the industry.

12. Wildlife Conversation Impact Academy
From the tiny Etruscan shrew to the mighty elephant, each species deserves a place on this planet to thrive. But since 1970, as a result of human activities, the population of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles has declined by 60%. In only 50 years, one-fifth of the Amazon Rainforest has already disappeared. Wildlife conservation is more important than ever before. There’s a lot of competition for wildlife conservation jobs. With so many options, from a conservationist, to a park manager, a biologist or a wildlife researcher, you need guidance and a head start. You need theoretical knowledge, practical experience and contextual understanding. You also need to be connected to the latest career opportunities. Use your passion for wildlife and join the Wildlife Conservation program.

13. CERTIFICATE IN SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
Sustainability refers to the use of ecosystems and their resources in a manner that satisfies current needs without compromising the needs or options of future generations. A sustainable business is one that generates profits for its owners, protects the environment, and improves the lives of the people with whom it interacts. Self-paced (one year access) through MindEdge.

1. Permaculture Design Certificate
Permaculture is an ethically based design approach to creating sustainable human communities. Although rooted in agriculture, permaculture design also touches on regional planning, ecology, architecture and international development.

Our Permaculture Design Certificate is offered through a special partnership with the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute. The certificate is designed for those interested in learning design techniques to build a more sustainable community in their backyard, their neighborhood or their city. The certificate will cover ethics, design, and sustainability issues. It will also give students practical techniques that can be applied to their gardens, farms and homes.

Our program includes 72-hours of workshops over four weekends. The learning modules use a combination of hands-on activities, field trips, presentations, conversations, collaboration, and a site-specific design project challenge. Students will gain permaculture design credentials that are ready for real-world applications in both your personal life and business opportunities.

Program Features:
• Team of experienced instructors with backgrounds in organic farming, green building, natural health, counseling and environmental management
• Field trips to local permaculture projects
• Collaborative hands-on design project on a site in the Richmond area — work with a client and develop a professional design

2. Climate Crisis and Clean Energy Impact Academy

Surface and ocean temperatures, as well as carbon dioxide levels, are at an all-time high. The ice at both of Earth’s poles is melting, resulting in rising global sea levels. Evidence also suggests that higher ocean temperatures are causing a greater incidence of tropical storms. Warmer seas are also killing corals.

Despite the need for professionals working on this key global issue, breaking into the field is a challenge. You need practical experience to gain a junior position as a climate research associate, renewable energy engineer or environmental economist.

Employers are looking for candidates who have real work experience in an intercultural context. Our Climate Crisis and Clean Energy program provides this.

Get ready to:
• Understand key issues such as challenges to implementing renewable energy technologies around the world, deforestation and reforestation, coral bleaching, and management of floods, wildfires and tropical storms.
• Upskill yourself in community engagement, monitoring and evaluation, communication and advocacy, project management and finance and fundraising.
• Analyze local initiatives related to the climate crisis and gain insights into on-the-ground challenges.
• Learn best practices and adapt your approach based on contextual analysis during a field trip abroad.

3. Marine Conservation Impact Academy
Our oceans are brimming with life—from massive blue whales to microscopic plankton. But every year, roughly 17.6 billion pounds of plastic is dumped into the ocean—the same as nearly 57,000 blue whales. Our oceans also support human life—from regulating the Earth’s temperature to supporting livelihoods.

A career in marine conservation isn’t always clear from the outset. With so many options—from conservation policy and field science, to managing nonprofits, to park operations—you need guidance and a head start.

You need theoretical knowledge, practical experience and contextual understanding. Harness your passion for the ocean and join the Marine Conservation program.

Get ready to:
• Understand key issues such as coral reef conservation, the protection of marine species, sustainability of small-scale fisheries and the creation and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
• Upskill yourself in community engagement, monitoring and evaluation, communication and advocacy, project management and finance and fundraising.
• Analyze local marine conservation ecosystems and gain insights into on-the-ground challenges.
• Learn best practices and adapt your approach based on contextual analysis during the fieldwork component.

4. Environmental and Corporate Sustainability Impact Academy
From lush rainforests to rolling agricultural plains, complex environmental ecosystems make up our planet. As human beings, we are entirely dependent on their sustained existence. But how do we maintain the complex balance between meeting our current development needs, and ensuring our resources are not depleted beyond repair? How do we repair what’s already been lost?

Career paths in environmental and corporate sustainability vary greatly. With so many options—from environmental science, to program management, to corporate responsibility consulting—you need direction and a foot in the door.

You need theoretical knowledge, practical experience and contextual understanding. When you expand your skill-set in sustainability and join the Environmental and Corporate Sustainability program, you’ll be connected to job opportunities in the industry.

Get ready to:
• Understand key issues such as pollution, reforestation, agriculture and water usage.
• Upskill yourself in community engagement, monitoring and evaluation, communication and advocacy, project management and finance and fundraising.
• Analyze local environmental ecosystems and gain insight into the challenges organizations face on-the-ground.
• Learn best practices and adapt your approach based on contextual analysis during a field trip abroad.

5. Wildlife Conversation Impact Academy
From the tiny Etruscan shrew to the mighty elephant, each species deserves a place on this planet to thrive. But since 1970, as a result of human activities, the population of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles has declined by 60%. In only 50 years, one-fifth of the Amazon Rainforest has already disappeared. Wildlife conservation is more important than ever before.

There’s a lot of competition for wildlife conservation jobs. With so many options, from a conservationist, to a park manager, a biologist or a wildlife researcher, you need guidance and a head start.

You need theoretical knowledge, practical experience and contextual understanding. You also need to be connected to the latest career opportunities. Use your passion for wildlife and join the Wildlife Conservation program.

Get ready to:
• Understand key issues such as wildlife conservation, sustainability, eco-tourism and habitat loss.
• Upskill yourself in community engagement, monitoring and evaluation, communication and advocacy, project management and finance and fundraising.
• Analyze local wildlife conservation ecosystems and gain insights into on-the-ground challenges.
• Learn best practices and adapt your approach based on contextual analysis during a field trip abroad.

6. CERTIFICATE IN SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
Online: Sustainability refers to the use of ecosystems and their resources in a manner that satisfies current needs without compromising the needs or options of future generations. A sustainable business is one that generates profits for its owners, protects the environment, and improves the lives of the people with whom it interacts. Self-paced (one year access) through MindEdge.

https://spcs.richmond.edu/sustainability

For Impact Academy details by program:
https://impactacademy.richmond.edu/

Information provided by Garrett Stern in SPCS