Upcoming Sustainability Retreats
Retreat Itinerary (Subject to Change):
8:00am - 10:00am: Drive from MHK to Marlborough 10:30am - 12:00pm: Green Infrastructure Tour Green Infrastructure tour with Diane and KCMO Water Services in the Marlborough Neighborhood AND DONUTS! 12:00pm - 12:30pm: Travel 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Lunch (Pirate's Bone) 1:30pm - 2:00pm: Travel 2:00pm - 4:00pm: Tour 2 4:00pm - 4:30pm: Snacks 4:30pm - 6:30pm: Hiking the Blue River (4 miles) 7:00pm - 8:30pm: Dinner 8:30pm - 10:30pm: Travel to MHK |
About ECM Sustainability Retreats
Nourishing Changemakers
As part of the retreat, each participant is challenged to explore their capacity as agents-of-change. Participants are encouraged to envision ways in which they can combine their passions with the needs of the broader human and ecological community. Throughout the retreat these project ideas are brought into focus through reflection and community feedback sessions allowing participants to leave with a clear idea of how they can positively impact the world around them. At the close of the retreat, each participant receives a $200 microgrant to help fund their project. By incorporating a project component into the retreat, participants have a direct way to apply what they learn, but also receive to opportunity to build their skills in project development and community organizing as they explore their capacity to leave a positive mark on the world.
Wholistic Learning
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ECM's Sustainability Retreat focuses on providing students and young adults the opportunity to learn about the natural world and how to care for it. The retreat centers around a hands-on and immersive weekends spent on a Southeast Kansas Homestead. Workshops are led by local activists and emphasize environmental stewardship in a context of social justice. Camping out, fireside chats, delicious food from garden produce, and a fabulous host (England Porter) are all part of the experience. Get ready to get your hands dirty and dive into a world of sustainability while being surrounded by the peace and beauty of nature. |
Connecting Through Shared Passion
Change flourishes through community. Sustainability retreats give participants an opportunity to connect with fellow peers who are driven by the desire to make the world a more sustainable place. Through these connections built around shared passion we inspire, encourage, and support one another through the difficult journey of challenging ourselves to drive positive change in the world around us. |
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2020 Cohort Spotlight
Retreat Archive
Retreat Workshops
Native Plant Workshops: Fall 2020
Mason Bee Home DIY Workshops: Fall 2020
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Past Retreat Gallery
Retreat Leadership Team
Ryan Haefke
Ryan is from the NE corner of Kansas and earned degrees in Accounting and Finance with a minor in Leadership Studies from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. Ryan is interested in the marriage of agriculture, forestry and economics. Ryan’s journey in sustainability began in Kansas City, MO where he worked as a waste consultant for establishing and expanding composting and recycling in urban settings. Ryan has also worked on several farms, including training in urban regenerative agriculture. Ryan has lived and worked in Senegal addressing concerns of deforestation and environmental education. He is an avid snacker, loves being outdoors, enjoys amataeur photography, and cooking new recipes. Ryan currently resides and works in Chicago, IL.
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Amelia Richter
Amelia is a biology student at K-State with a passion for the great tallgrass prairie. She has learned about Kansas ecology hands-on as a field technician at the Konza Prairie Biological Station and is passionate about sharing what she has learned with others. Amelia has served on the leadership committee for 2 years and has participated in the retreat since its inception. For her project she created and maintains an online seed bank to provide native seeds and information to Kansas gardeners.
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Retreat Sponsors
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ECM at KSU "ECM feels safe. You sit down to a meal [at RFL] and hear so many different languages. I don't worry about not being from the US. It's home to me at K-State." -Gaby "ECM encouraged me when others didn't. I couldn't have done it without this community. I just want to give back." -Sam "Every time you are at ECM, you are reminded that you are welcome. It's awesome." -Javier |
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