Although I have not taken many official classes focused on ecology or its relevance to art education, ecology has been an underlying influence in my life in many ways. I went to Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, where the community is very aware of nature and ecology. I spent many long happy days hiking trails, touring the gorges, and wading at the base of incredible waterfalls. Saturday mornings always included a visit to the lakeside Farmer's Market to buy locally grown organic produce and sip a mug of free-trade coffee. The best meals always came from Moosewood, an internationally known vegetarian restaurant, or at the weekly vegan potlucks organized by ICES (Ithaca College Environmental Society). The progressive town has a strong feminist population, which includes a vocal community of eco-feminists who recognize the parallels between abuse of the earth and larger global systems of oppression and privelege.
While I have yet to find similar communities in the city of Philadelphia, I think my exposure to the eco-conscious Ithaca mindset has opened up my eyes to the gifts of nature and my many opportunities to preserve those gifts throughout my private and professional life.
