Mar 29, 2024  
2018-19 CATALOG 
    
2018-19 CATALOG [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Leadership Institute


Dedicated to providing environmental leadership in resolving issues related to land, water, waste, energy, transportation and air quality in the Southern California region.

“The year we passes the National Environmental Policy Act. After that, there was a flurry of activity in the environmental arena, from are law to water law to endangered species, habitat and waste. It was just an incredible period of environmental awareness and growth. One of our goals is to remind students that we all want clean are, we all want clean water, we all like to have open space and protected natural areas. Our quality of life depends on how well we protect our physical, cultural and natural resources.”

Matt Rahn, PHD, MS, JD - Director/Research Faculty, Environmental Leadership Institute, Wildfire Research Program

Program Overview

The Environmental Leadership Institute (ELI) is a leading resource for environmental planners, policymakers practitioners.


The ELI—operated through California State University San Marcos at Temecula—provides independent, unbiased third-party expertise and analysis for environmental review, mediation, policy initiatives and education programs. We would like to thank Southern California Edison for providing the initial funding for the ELI.

Education Programs

  • Environmental Leadership Academy Certificate  
  • Healthy Communities Leadership Certificate (Fall 2017, see this page)
  • Water Resources Management and Leadership Certificate 
  • CEQA Basics (Fall 2017)
  • CEQA Regulatory Developments (Fall 2017)
  • Special Topic Seminars and Workshops
  • Published Research

ELI Advisory Board

The ELI offers two environmental leadership programs: the Environmental Leadership Academy (ELA)  and the upcoming Healthy Communities Leadership Academy (HCLA) below. The ELI Advisory Board comprises leaders from industry, government and professional service organizations who serve as authorities in their fields of expertise; provide financial and promotional support; seek science- and policy-based solutions; and are stewards for environmental leadership.

Advisory Board Members

  • Southern California Edison
  • SoCal Gas Company
  • CALFIRE
  • Western Riverside Council of Governments
  • CR&R Environmental Services
  • Metropolitan Water District
  • Ambient Communities
  • Eastern Municipal Water District
  • Environmental Education Collaborative
  • Lewis-San Antonio Healthy Communities Institute

Healthy Communities Leadership Certificate

The ELI is partnering with the Lewis- San Antonio Healthy Communities Institute to offer a Healthy Communities Leadership Certificate program to provide leaders with best practices in order to support decision-making around policies that impact a community’s health. Subject matter around the factors that impact a healthy community and will be examined, such as health, proper land use planning, disaster response planning, poverty, economic development, the environment and other related topics. The purpose is to bring relevant subject matter together into one offering for leaders and decision-makers from sectors including local government, business, education, nonprofit, faith-based and community members. This eight-day program will be offered over four months beginning Fall 2017.

Date: Please check the website for up-to-date schedule information.

For More Information

Talk to our enrollment specialists at 760-750-4004 or el.inquiry@csusm.eduVisit the program website. Learn more and join our interest list: csusm.edu/temecula/eli