Ecolibrium3’s mission is to lead and inspire change toward an equitable and sustainable future. We do that through community-rooted work in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, and through broader initiatives that build community resilience and health across the city. What connects all of it is a belief that lasting change happens when people are informed, engaged, and equipped to show up fully in their communities. And over the past four weeks, we got to see that belief come to life in a real and meaningful way, through classrooms, community rooms, library programs, creative arts spaces, and a very full student center at the College of St. Scholastica for Age-Friendly University Day.
Alongside Duluth Aging Support, Ecolibrium3 co-leads the Duluth Age-Friendly initiative, which is part of the AARP Age-Friendly Communities Network. This spring, we launched the Long Live Learning campaign, a four-week social media and community celebration spotlighting the incredible learning ecosystem already thriving right here in Duluth. From May 27 through June 22, we partnered with organizations across the city to show just how many ways there are to keep learning, growing, and connecting at every age and stage of life.
A Community That Learns Together, Grows Together
The campaign featured learning opportunities from partners, including the Duluth Public Library, University for Seniors at UMD, Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, Zeitgeist Center for Arts and Community, and St. Louis County Public Health, just to name a few. Each week highlighted a different dimension of lifelong learning: community connection, continued education, health and safety, and creativity. The response from partners and community members alike reminded us that the desire to keep learning doesn’t fade with age; if anything, it deepens.
The campaign even caught the attention of WDIO’s The Lift, where Georgia Lane, Ecolibrium3’s Director of Aging Initiatives, shared why this work matters: “We often think about learning as something that we do just when we’re in school or in college in our younger years, but it’s important that we look at learning as a way that we can stay connected and growing throughout our entire life.”
Age-Friendly University Day Brings the Community Together
One of the campaign’s most memorable moments came on June 8, when more than 50 older community members gathered at the College of St. Scholastica’s beautiful new Student Center for an Age-Friendly University Day hosted by the University of Minnesota. The event offered a morning of discussion focused on healthy aging, mindfulness, and building communities that actively push back against ageism. Seeing that room filled with curious, engaged people was exactly the kind of thing this campaign was meant to celebrate.
Learning at Eco3: All Year Long
For us at Ecolibrium3, the Long Live Learning campaign wasn’t just a moment; it reflects something we’re committed to year-round. Our Urban Farm at Lake Superior College is a place where community members of all ages come together to learn about sustainable growing, soil health, composting, and where our food comes from. Whether you’ve been gardening for decades or have never touched a trowel, our farm workshops are genuinely designed for everyone. There’s something about getting your hands in the dirt alongside neighbors of all ages that captures exactly what an age-friendly community can look like.
In the near future, we’re excited to expand that commitment in a big way. Starting this fall, Ecolibrium3 will be offering community classes at the LNPK Hub, creating new opportunities for connection and learning right in the heart of the neighborhood. We have a lot of exciting programming in the works, and we can’t wait to share more details soon! (Spoiler: if you’ve ever wanted to build your technology skills, stay tuned.)
To every partner, lifelong learner, and community member who followed along, shared a post, showed up to an event, or simply felt seen by this campaign—thank you. This is what it looks like when a community decides that learning is for everyone. And here in Duluth, we’re just getting started.
In the meantime, check out upcoming workshops at the Urban Farm and follow Duluth Age-Friendly on Facebook for more. Because Long Live Learning isn’t just a campaign, it’s a commitment.