A Short History of the Institute for Environmental Learning at Simon Fraser University

This paper outlines the creation and evolution of the Institute of Environment Learning at Simon Fraser University from 2006 to 2016. From its inception in 2006, as the BC Working Group and Network on Sustainability Education, to obtaining RCE status in May 2010 and to be formally approved as a research institute by the Simon Fraser University Senate later that year, the goal of the educators involved was to develop and support research on environmental learning in communities, schools and post secondary institutions throughout the province of British Columbia. Along the way, members have gone in different directions and as a participant in this process; I have documented this narrative in this paper to help bring parties more closely together again and have also recommended governance, operational and fundraising model for the institute for the same purpose.