Move the Movement!

Advocacy Tools for EE

Since the beginning, AAEE has advocated for environmental education and environmental educators. One of our guiding purposes is to “promote environmental education as a unique field and profession worthy of support.” This year, we’re asking our members to join us in the fight for the three E’s of EE.

EE for Everyone

Promote and expand inclusive & accessible EE opportunities for all

EE Everywhere

Bring EE to the workplace, the civic arena, and other non-traditional settings. Highlight model initiatives with informal, non-formal, and non-traditional approaches

EE & Equity

Speak loud for equity in EE. Ensure equitable representation at all levels, from learners, to educators, to management. Intentionally make space to address inequities.

Here are some Advocacy Tools to get you started!

eeWORKS – NAAEE

“What is the capacity for environmental education to contribute to a more sustainable planet and society? Why is EE a meaningful complement to standard education? How do we demonstrate the evidence-based outcomes of EE without letting go of the passion and fervor that breathes energy and life into the field? eeWORKS is a project that seeks to answer these critical questions.

• eeWORKS: https://naaee.org/our-work/programs/eeworks
• Helpful messaging guides to reach K-12 leaders, funders, parents, & policy makers: https://cdn.naaee.org/sites/default/files/eeworks/files/k-12_student_key_findings.pdf
• An introduction to EE for funders: https://cdn.naaee.org/sites/default/files/eepro/resource/files/ee_brief_blue_sky_0.pdf

Employee Engagement – NEEF

“The 120 million private sector employees in the United States can play a critical role in reducing waste, increasing energy and water efficiency, and taking other actions to help achieve workplace sustainability goals.”

• Employee Engagement homepage: https://www.neefusa.org/employee-engagement
• Marketplace & workplace research–an all around win: https://www.neefusa.org/resource/winning-marketplace-and-workplace
• Make the business case easily: https://www.neefusa.org/resource/business-case-environmental-sustainability-employee-education

Access to Nature & Nature Connection  – Children & Nature Network

“This collection of free toolkits, reports, infographics and advocacy tools is designed to help you or your organization connect children, families and communities to nature.” C&NN and the Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) have resources for personal action, community action, institutional change, and policy & education.

• All the tools and resources: https://www.childrenandnature.org/learn/tools-resources/
• A detailed community action guide: https://www.childrenandnature.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/WWCActGuide1.pdf
• No city to large or too green! An amazing municipal action guide: https://www.nlc.org/sites/default/files/users/user75/CCCN%20Municipal%20Action%20Guide_webready.pdf
• Why have access to nature? A new research summary: https://www.childrenandnature.org/wp-content/uploads/Connecting-with-Nature-Summary-English.pdf

Advocacy 101 – NAEYC

The National Association for the Education of Young Children advocates for quality early childhood education and emphasizes the importance of nature-based learning. They have many resources for charting your advocacy path, including Federal and State Advocacy, Electoral Advocacy, and Advocacy Communication Tools.

• And, it can all be found here: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/public-policy-advocacy/build-your-advocacy-skills-and-knowledge

If you know of more tools we should share, or have any questions on advocating for the three E’s of EE in Arizona, contact us at info@arizonaee.org. We’re excited for you to join us!

Thank YOU for being an AAEE member and a leader for our planet, our people, and our future!