Eco Gerontology Course Reviews

Beverly Flanagan

5 star rating

“For those who are or are becoming Elders, with an interest in the Science and Spirit of Ecology and Gerontology, who may be seeking greater understanding of both fields, and how they interact, and who may be searching for a means of informed activ...”

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“For those who are or are becoming Elders, with an interest in the Science and Spirit of Ecology and Gerontology, who may be seeking greater understanding of both fields, and how they interact, and who may be searching for a means of informed activism, this course is a wonderful springboard. ”

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Prerequisite for Enrollment

Completion of the Care Outdoors Companion Certificate is required prior to enrollment in Eco Gerontology.

Eco Gerontology is designed as an advanced certificate that builds upon the experiential foundations established through Care Outdoors. Participants enter with a shared understanding of nature connectedness, outdoor wellbeing, and the relationship between people and the living world.

This common foundation allows the cohort to engage more deeply with the ecological, social, economic, and cultural dimensions of aging explored throughout the program.

Begin with Care Outdoors Companion Training

Summer Session

Program Experience

Fall 2026 Cohort September 19 – December 11, 2026

Learning Experience

Eco Gerontology is designed as a slow-learning, seminar-style certificate that combines live dialogue, independent study, reflective practice, and place-based exploration.

Live Seminar Sessions

Small-group seminars provide opportunities for discussion, critical reflection, and collaborative learning as we explore the emerging field of Eco Gerontology together.

Live sessions are held on Saturdays at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET.

Specific dates will be provided upon enrollment. Additional sessions may be scheduled to support the needs of the cohort.

Guided Independent Learning

Between live sessions, participants engage with:

  • Required readings, including Ecocivilisation
  • Short films and multimedia resources
  • Self-paced learning modules
  • Guided place-based practices
  • Reflective exercises and discussions


Certificate Completion

Participants who complete all required learning components will receive a:

Foundations of Eco Gerontology Certificate

Key Areas of Exploration

Eco Gerontology examines aging through an ecological lens, exploring the relationships between people, place, community, economy, and the living world in an era of demographic and environmental change.

This small, seminar-style certificate emphasizes dialogue, reflection, interdisciplinary learning, and practical application. Modules are delivered sequentially to support deep engagement with each area of study.

Participants explore themes including nature connectedness, ecological philosophy, bioregionalism, climate resilience, regenerative livability, food systems, the care economy, and interdependence.

Through live discussions, guided learning, reflective practice, and applied projects, you will develop an Eco Gerontology perspective for understanding and responding to the complex challenges and opportunities shaping the future of aging.

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

• Understand the foundations of Eco Gerontology and aging through an ecological lens.

• Examine the relationships between aging, ecology, community, economy, and place.

• Explore how climate change, population aging, and biodiversity loss are reshaping human wellbeing and community resilience.

• Apply principles of nature connectedness, reciprocity, interdependence, and bioregional thinking to aging-related challenges.

• Envision more livable, regenerative, and age-inclusive futures that support both people and the living world.

Eco Gerontology Learning Modules

Exploring the Intersections of Aging, Care, Ecology, Community, and Economy

  • FOUNDATIONS OF ECO GERONTOLOGY: Introduces the emerging field of Eco Gerontology and explores the relationships between aging, ecology, health, care, community, and place.

  • NATURE CONNECTEDNESS, PLACE, AND HUMAN FLOURISHING: Examines biophilia, nature connectedness, placemaking, and the role of the living world in wellbeing across the lifespan.

  • AGING in an ERA of CLIMATE CHANGE and ECOLOGICAL DISRUPTION: Explores climate resilience, environmental change, ecological grief, adaptation, and intergenerational perspectives on the future.

  • REGENERATIVE LIVABILITY, FOOD SYSTEMS, and the CARE ECONOMY: Examines age-friendly communities, local food systems, regenerative economies, caregiving, and the conditions that support thriving people, communities, and ecosystems.

  • INTERDEPENDENCE, ECOLOGICAL WISDOM, and THRIVING COMMUNITIES: Explores systems thinking, reciprocity, community resilience, and humanity's relationship within the broader web of life.

  • CLOSING CIRCLE: Articulating Your Ecosophy: Aging in Relationship with the Living World. Participants synthesize their learning and develop a personal framework for aging, care, community, and ecological stewardship.

Eco Gerontology Outcomes

  • Foundations of Eco Gerontology Certificate

  • A deeper understanding of aging as an ecological, relational, and place-based experience

  • The ability to apply an Eco Gerontology perspective to aging, care, community, and place

  • Greater confidence leading conversations and initiatives in a rapidly changing world

  • An expanded understanding of the relationships between aging, ecology, community, and economy

  • Practical frameworks for advancing more livable, regenerative, and age-inclusive futures

Join the First Wave of Eco Gerontology Leaders

Helping shape a more livable, regenerative, and age-inclusive future.

ENROLL TODAY!

Meet Your Course Creator & Lead Educator

The Eco Gerontologist

Monica Eastway is an educator, speaker, gerontologist, and pioneer in the emerging field of Eco Gerontology. Her work explores how relationships between people, communities, places, and the living world shape health, wellbeing, belonging, and longevity across the lifespan. Drawing upon more than 25 years of experience in health, wellbeing, aging, and community-based practice, Monica develops educational programs, community conversations, and partnerships that bridge Gerontology, Nature Connectedness, Green Care, ecology, and regenerative thinking. She is the founder of The Eco Gerontology Initiative and creator of the Care Outdoors Companion Training and Eco Gerontology Foundational Certificate, advancing research, education, and practice that places Nature at the heart of how we understand and support aging in a rapidly changing world. Monica holds a Master of Science in Gerontology from the University of Indianapolis and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Toledo. Through education, speaking, partnerships, and community engagement, she is helping cultivate healthier, more nature-connected, and regenerative futures for all generations. Join a growing community helping shape the emerging field of Eco Gerontology.

Monica Eastway

Meet Monica

The Eco Gerontologist

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