NAAEE rounded out the 2017 monthly webinar series with Curtis Ogden from the Interaction Institute for Social Change. Even in well-meaning efforts to build capacity in communities through various forms of public education and engagement, we are running into the limits and problematic nature of expert-driven models that simply attempt to download information and “gather input.” These approaches can result in missed opportunities or worse, in leaching valuable resources in terms of time and trust. Given growing demographic diversity, we need a different approach to be relevant and responsive to communities and complex issues, and to avoid simply doing “no harm” but actually contributing to social and environmental health. This webinar will explore examples of approaches to and guidelines for public engagement that seek to honor and contribute to the richness, resourcefulness and resilience of people and communities.