Environmental Courage: Vincent LaFontan’s Framework for Sustainability Education

Guiding principles such as effective leadership, shared vision, and a receptive community shape the sustainability practices needed for meaningful environmental change. Vincent LaFontan, Executive Director of the Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, brings these elements together through his concept of Environmental Courage—a mindset designed to help individuals and communities face climate change with resilience, confidence, and hope rather than fear or despair.

What Is Vincent LaFontan’s Concept of Environmental Courage?

In a 2022 LinkedIn article, LaFontan describes Environmental Courage as a new form of intelligence necessary for coping with the challenges and anxieties produced by our changing climate. Because overwhelming environmental news often leads to denial, paralysis, or depression, Environmental Courage offers a constructive alternative—encouraging people to acknowledge reality while staying engaged and motivated.

Core Components of Environmental Courage
Environmental Courage includes several key elements.
• Accepting the reality of change: People must be able to thoughtfully interpret and accept emerging information about the environment rather than avoiding it.
• A “new intelligence”: This mindset must be cultivated in children and strengthened in adults. It moves beyond memorizing scientific facts toward building the mental capacity to live in—and adapt to—a rapidly changing world.
• Combating feelings of doom: Rather than becoming overwhelmed, individuals use Environmental Courage as a remedy for despair, helping them stay grounded and optimistic.
• Taking positive action: The concept empowers people to take steps that slow, prevent, or repair damage to the natural world.

Implementing Environmental Courage at Flanders Nature Center

As Executive Director, LaFontan integrates Environmental Courage directly into the mission and programming of Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust.

How the Concept Is Applied
• Educational programming: Flanders provides programs that build environmental knowledge and understanding at all stages of life.
• Strengthening the community: The organization commits to modeling and building Environmental Courage in everyone who participates.
• Inspiring action: Programs aim to motivate people to take positive steps in their daily lives to protect the environment, especially during this time of rapid ecological change.

About Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust

Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, located in Woodbury, Connecticut, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to land preservation and environmental education. Since its founding in 1963, it has grown to protect more than 2,400 acres across Woodbury and neighboring towns.

History
The organization began in 1963, supported by volunteers from the Junior League and its original incorporator and donor, Natalie Van Vleck. In 1973, Flanders received its first land donation, officially becoming one of the region’s earliest land trusts.

Mission and Properties
Flanders’ mission is to inspire lifelong learning, preserve land, and encourage appreciation of the natural world. The organization now holds conservation easements on 56 properties totaling more than 2,400 acres, with seven preserves open daily for hiking and passive recreation.

Programs and Activities
Flanders offers a wide range of educational and recreational opportunities. Its programs include early childhood classes, NGSS-aligned field studies for PreK–5 students, summer camps, and nature-arts programming. The center’s trails are open for free hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife observation. Events such as goat yoga, foraging workshops, and summer soirées draw participants of all ages. Community engagement efforts include photography clubs, 4-H programs, scouting events, and hands-on farm experiences such as beekeeping and maple sugaring at the historic Van Vleck farm.

Accessibility and Funding
The center continues to improve accessibility with features such as ADA-compliant bathrooms and an accessible trail at the Van Vleck campus. As a nonprofit organization, Flanders relies on donations, grants, and memberships and is guided by the leadership of Executive Director Vincent LaFontan.

How LaFontan’s Environmental Philosophy Shapes Flanders’ Programs

LaFontan’s concept of Environmental Courage strongly influences the design, purpose, and delivery of Flanders’ programming. Instead of emphasizing fear about climate change, Flanders focuses on empowerment—helping people become informed and capable stewards of the natural world.

Emphasis on Education and Empowerment
Flanders’ programs give participants the knowledge and skills they need to understand environmental challenges and take constructive action. This includes guidance on pollinator health, forest management, invasive species control, and sustainable energy practices.

Examples in Programming
The Environmental Youth Leadership (EYL) program helps middle school students explore habitats, observe wildlife, and connect scientific concepts to real environmental issues. Summer camps offer hands-on outdoor experiences that show younger children how they can play a role in protecting the environment. LaFontan’s leadership is also reflected in capital projects such as solar-powered pavilions, which demonstrate sustainable practices in action. Interactive learning opportunities—like maple sugaring, farm visits, and ecosystem exploration—help participants understand how climate and weather patterns affect the world around them.

Community-Centric Approach
Flanders’ philosophy emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and resilience. The organization partners with local groups to strengthen community bonds, reflecting the idea that Environmental Courage grows when people work together. LaFontan’s background in youth programs and social services also helps ensure that Flanders’ environmental education is accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Environmental Courage is more than a concept—it represents a cultural shift toward hope, resilience, and shared responsibility. Through education, hands-on engagement, and community-building, Vincent LaFontan and the Flanders Nature Center team are empowering people to face the realities of climate change with purpose, clarity, and optimism.