We are the Centre of Ecological Learning.

We’re dedicated to supporting and deepening your connection with yourself, your community, and the more-than-human world. Our mission is to foster a profound sense of belonging and harmony with nature through a variety of engaging, nature-based experiences and educational programs.

We offer a diverse range of activities designed for all ages, from immersive outdoor adventures to hands-on workshops.

Each program is crafted to inspire curiosity, nurture your inner connection with the environment, and equip you with practical skills for promoting ecological well-being. By integrating deep ecology principles with experiential learning, we aim to provide transformative experiences that encourage you to see and engage with the natural world in new and meaningful ways.

We believe in the power of “re-wilding”—reawakening our innate and ancient connection to the more-than-human world. In a time when modernity limits our contact with nature and turns the relationship into one of extraction and profit, CEL provides a chance to reconnect, promoting a future where both human and non-human life can flourish.

Our approach aligns with the idea of the Great Turning—the shift towards a more ecological, collective, and compassionate world. We believe that by engaging in this deep, reflective work, you can transform your understanding of your place in the world and cultivate a greater sense of interconnectedness and responsibility towards the world around you. 

We are committed to active listening and active solidarity with the Gumbaynggirr people, as a key part of our work and decolonisation process. We acknowledge that true ecological understanding must be rooted in ancient ways of knowing and being. By listening to and learning from the knowledge holders and wisdom of the Gumbaynggirr community, we aim to support and uplift their efforts in protecting and nurturing their ancestral lands and culture, while creating a life-sustaining future for all beings.

All our programs are thoughtfully crafted to help you reconnect with your ecological self, expanding our imaginations and capacity to take meaningful, impactful action toward a world beyond endless growth, disconnection and destruction.

Our journey began in 2007 with the Bellingen Environmental Youth Experience (Bellingen EYE), when a small group of high school students, guided by two dedicated former teachers, decided to immerse themselves in the natural world. Their weekend camps and bushwalks sparked a profound connection with nature, nurturing their leadership skills, creativity, and sense of empowerment towards taking action on behalf of the planet.

In 2011, inspired by the transformative experiences of the EYE program, a dedicated team of mentors came together to formalize and expand the initiative, founding the Centre for Ecological Learning Inc. (CEL).

CEL keeps growing and evolving, becoming a vibrant hub for environmental education. We’re all about being accessible and grassroots, with a vision that’s shaped by our community and what you want to see. Your ideas and involvement help drive our future, and we’re excited to shape it together with you!

Becoming a member is easy — you can do it here.

We welcome people of all cultures, genders, sexualities, and religions. We’re committed to working ecologically and ethically in all our programming and governance.

Interested in learning more or getting involved? Contact us!

CEL is a registered not-for-profit organisation and charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. We’re also listed on the Register of Environmental Organisations and have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Our dedicated Ecological Learning Fund supports our environmental initiatives.

Our activities are overseen by a voluntary committee, elected annually, who ensure we meet our mission and adhere to legal and ethical standards.

The Board includes a Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, and three additional members.