Environmental justice work is an emerging field of practice that recognizes the interrelationship between social, economic, racial, gender, and environmental injustice and the impact social workers can have for policy and practice. Despite inclusion of environmental justice knowledge and practice as critical elements of ethical social work, little research exists on the topic in the professional knowledge base. Additionally, little research exists to date that specifically examines environmental justice knowledge and practice in a rural area. This pilot study examines awareness and knowledge of environmental justice issues and practice amongst licensed social workers in a rural western state using focus group methodology. Findings of this pilot study are discussed, with implications for social work practice, education, policy work, and research rooted in rural settings. A second of the two-fold purpose of this article is to present the qualitative methodology utilized in hopes of building more pathways for the development of environmental justice knowledge through social work research
