Ecological Leadership WAFT Event
Luke Gascho is retiring after serving for 22 years as Executive Director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College. In recognition of the work that he has done, we invited Luke to share some reflections on his time at Merry Lea and what is still emerging for him.
While the 1,000 plus acres of restored ecosystems, sustainable farms, and educational facilities of Merry Lea offer plenty of talking points, Luke chose to center his presentation around the concept of ecological leadership. In addition to discussing leadership directly, Luke also connected the dots between landscapes and ecology; environmental education; faith; sustainable buildings; and personal integration.
Event Highlights: (click here for full event)
Highlights from Merry Lea
Prior to the Wide Angle event, we had the opportunity to travel to Merry Lea where we spent a day capturing some of Luke’s reflections. Several of these videos were used during the presentation and can be found on this page, but there was so much more that couldn’t be included. To further explore the videos from Merry Lea, use this concept map or explore the Goshen Guide collection.
Introduction: the Context of Coming to Merry Lea
Duration – 14:41
quote:
“I’ve realized in these 22 years, that there’s a lot that’s happened that has been inspired by beauty. The beauty that I’ve seen as I’ve walked the trails – for example winter frost or spring flowers – all of these things bring an inspiration to my inner being and begin to change how I look at life.”
Landscapes and Ecology
Duration – 8:38
quote:
“The concept of ecological time is a really critical piece. And it’s quite counter to what we engage with in much of Western civilization where we like to see results now, and we want to see them happen fast, and we pour on energy to be able to get it there.”
Highlight from Merry Lea
Environmental Education
Duration – 6:44
quote:
“The model starts to show a bunch of different interconnections. You can see how environmental education intersects with a bunch of other activities that we were doing – how land management fits in, both for models of restoration but also supporting the undergraduate collegiate programs that were starting to develop.”
Highlight from Merry Lea
Sustainable Buildings
Duration – 8:53
quote:
“At the end of 2007, we received the Platinum rating from the US Green Building Council. This itself became a really major message point – we built it so students could live there and learn from that setting – but it also became a teaching tool.”
Highlight from Merry lea
Intersection of Faith
Duration – 7:08
quote:
“I also think about this idea that comes from the confession of faith that ‘as stewards of God’s earth we are called to care for the earth and bring rest and renewal to the land and everything that lives on it ‘“
Personal Integration
Duration – 6:33
quote:
“Last month I bought another half acre and have replicated it. Last night I was out there working and planting another orchard with the same concept in mind – as a personal application to my commitment to care for the Earth.”
Highlight from Luke’s Home
Q&A
Duration – 24:04
After the main presentation, Luke engaged in a conversation that covered immersive learning, problem solving & inquiry, the words we use, and more.
