To the Okanagan people, as to all peoples practicing bioregional self-sufficient economies, the realization that the total community must be engaged in order to attain sustainability comes as a result of surviving together for thousands of years. The practical aspects of willing teamwork within a whole-community system clearly emerged from having to cooperate in order to survive.

- Okanagan Wisdom Keeper Jeannette Armstrong

The discoveries of both modern science and traditional people tell us that community is central to sustainable living. For this reason, the Center focuses its work in communities, especially in schools that are learning communities.

Many of the schools that are most successful at teaching ecological literacy are also active in their local communities. Their activities range from serving meals made from food purchased from sustainable regional farms to inviting neighbors to participate in school events to involving students in projects that contribute to the well-being of their communities.