At Gaia RDI, most of our associates choose a degree in EcoSocial Design with a concetration of their own creation. For example, a BSc in EcoSocial Design with a Concentration in Traditional Ecological Knowledge. If you wish, the Regenerative Design Institute also offers structured programs which can be used to guide and shape a concentration in the following:

Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness
Regenerative Leadership
8 Shields Cultural Mentoring

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Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness Concentration

Bachelor of Science Degree, Master of Science Degree and Graduate Diploma in Integrative EcoSocial Design with concentrations in Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness (RDNA)

This concentration is for you if you want to participate in RDI’s RDNA Essential’s program as a framework for your Gaia learning journey. The RDNA learning community is a village experience made up of three programs: RDNA Essentials, Native Eyes, and Cultural Mentoring. The three programs are interwoven and support each other to create a dynamic learning environment, rich in the curiosities and creative nature of each participant. The RDNA learning community is one of the only places applying all the practices described in Jon Young's Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature.

RDNA Essentials is the first step in the RDNA learning journey. This program will help you to restore your authentic connection to nature and re-invigorate a holistic understanding of what it means to tend and regenerate the landscape for the future generations.

A degree program with this concentration includes the following courses:

• Permaculture Design Course
• RDNA Essentials
• Gaia University Orientation Workshop
• Bioneers Conference and Content Workshops
• End of Year Workshop and Presentation

Example MSc learning journeys with the RDNA concentration pathway include:

Example 1
Year 1:  RDNA Essentials
Year 2:  RDNA Cultural Mentoring and implementation of your right livelihood path through launching your own business with the help of project mentors.

Example 2
Year 1:  Native Eyes
Year 2:  Deepening and applying your learnings through taking a job in field tracking and banding white crowned sparrows, and developing a capstone project with the help of mentors in your research station.

Example 3
Year 1:  RDNA Essentials
Year 2:  Deepening and applying your learnings in regenerative design and nature awareness through taking a job with a program connecting children with nature in your home place, and completing a capstone project in the program with the help of project mentors.

Associates who have completed RDNA before enrolling in GaiaRDI may declare this concentration by demonstrating their applied mastery in this subject area.

For examples of what RDNA graduates are doing, see our RDI Graduates in Action page.

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Regenerative Leadership Concentration

Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Science degree and Graduate Diploma in Integrative EcoSocial Design with concentration in Regenerative Leadership

This concentration is for you if you want to participate in RDI’s Ecology of Leadership program as a framework for your Gaia learning journey. Through the Ecology of Leadership, you will experience what is naturally yours: an intimate relationship with the natural world from which a unique quality of leadership arises. You'll learn to source your leadership from this connection with the earth, and stay attuned to the natural patterns in your own life, creating a new level of effectiveness and awareness to your leadership.

You'll discover how your thoughts, mental models, beliefs, and the stories you tell—about yourself and those around you—affect your life and your ability to make a difference in your family, community, and chosen work in the world. As you understand and transform your inner ecology, you become more effective at manifesting your dreams.

A degree program with this concentration includes the following courses:

• Gaia University Orientation Workshop
• Bioneers Conference and Content Workshops
• Ecology of Leadership Program, 1-week immersion and 5-month program

Example MSc learning journeys in the Regenerative Leadership concentration pathway include:

Example 1
Year 1:  EOL 5-month program
Year 2:  Implementation of your right livelihood path through launching your own business with the help of project mentors.

Example 2
Year 1:  Completing the 5-month EOL program and being a support person and apprentice facilitator in a 2nd EOL
Year 2:  Facilitate an EOL or launch your own project with support from the EOL team.

Example 3
Year 1:  EOL 5-day immersion, continuing your professional career
Year 2:  Deepening and applying your learnings through developing a capstone project with the help of mentors in your field.

Example 4
EOL before enrolling in Gaia University.
Year 1 and 2: The facilitator's path—learn to facilitate an EOL program.

For examples of what EOL graduates are doing, see the RDI Graduates in Action page and the EOL Social Network.

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8 Shields Cultural Mentoring Concentration

Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Science degree and Graduate Diploma in Integrative EcoSocial Design with concentration in 8 Shields Cultural Mentoring

This concentration is for you if you want to participate in RDI’s RDNA Cultural Mentoring program as a framework for your Gaia learning journey.

As a GaiaRDI associate on the Cultural Mentoring track, you'll work with lead staff to design, build and support the weekly learning culture for the ongoing RDNA program. You have the opportunity to directly apply these teachings as a team of mentors during weekly permaculture and nature connection projects.The power of 8 Shields Cultural Mentoring is multi-dimensional. You'll walk away with a complex understanding of how to:

• Build effective invisible structures in community design
• Help lead communities to create resilient and abundant ecologies, economies and cultures
• Awaken the gift in yourself and others, so each can find their contribution to the community and live an empowered, meaningful life
• Design a complex learning village
• Facilitate essential nature connection
• Unfold the designer and leader that exists in all of us

A degree program with this concentration includes the following courses:

• Mind of Mentoring (1 week)
• Cultural Mentoring August (2 weekends)
• Permaculture Design Course (2 week intensive)
• RDNA Cultural Mentoring Program
• Gaia University Orientation Workshop
• Bioneers Conference and Content Workshops
• End of Year Workshop and Presentation

Prerequisites:
    •    RDNA Essentials, RDNA Native Eyes, or an equivalent training experience. Affiliates from the Coyote’s Guide network and residential trainings where the Art of Mentoring is applied (such as the Wilderness Awareness Residential Program, the Vermont Wilderness School, Alderleaf Wilderness College, etc.) are encouraged to apply.

If you feel called to this program and think you may not have the background, please inquire with our staff anyway. We're happy to help you discover if your experience and vision fit well with the program!

This program fills fast, so get your application in early. References and interview required.

Example MSc learning journeys in the 8 Shields Cultural Mentoring specialization pathway include:

Example 1
Year 1:  RDNA Cultural Mentoring
Year 2:  Deepening and applying your learning through applying the 8 Shields to the Transition Town Initiative in your home town, and engaging in a capstone year project with mentors in your region.

Example 2
Year 1:  RNDA Cultural Mentoring
Year 2:  Deepening and applying your learning through applying the 8 Shields to your professional permaculture design business to engage the larger community you are embedded within for village scale ecological renewal as your capstone year project, with mentoring from elders in your area.

Associates who have completed RDNA's Cultural Mentoring before enrolling in Gaia University may declare this concentration by demonstrating their applied mastery in this field.

For examples of what RDNA graduates are doing, see the RDI Graduates in Action page.