What is Environmental Education?

You are EE! Environmental education (EE) is an organized effort to empower people and communities to work together towards a more sustainable future through education about how the natural environment functions, and how humans can manage their behavior to live sustainably.

Environmental education teaches the public about current and past environmental issues and and provides citizens with unbiased facts. Environmental education engages citizen’s critical thinking skills and empowers them to make sound decisions to change behavior and cultural processes.

While environmental education is utilized in a variety of disciplines including geography, biology, chemistry natural sciences, earth science and more, it is not limited to subject matter in the sciences. Graphic design, history, the arts, and recreation subject areas often use environmental education to engage people in their natural world in an effort to teach about environmental issues.

Environmental education is not about advocacy for a particular viewpoint or lobbying. While those are valuable forms of communication, environmental education ensures unbalanced and fact-based information and practitioners strive to examine both sides of issues in search of solutions.

Environmental education strives to reach and engage a culturally and economically diverse audience, learning from others about how they see and live in the natural world. Underserved audiences face unique environmental challenges. Environmental education promotes diversity and inclusion, and we seek transparent and respectful interactions with all.

Environmental education is for learners of ALL ages, from early childhood to seniors. Environmental education does not just happen in a formal classroom setting —

EE is practiced by life-long learners who seek to expand their knowledge base about the natural world
EE is enjoyed by visitors of public programs at parks and other natural settings

EE is utilized by journalists who engage the public in accurate and unbiased information about environmental issues
EE is practiced by researchers who regularly communicate with the public

EE also advances the development of environmental and science education standards—from climate change to the Next Generation Science Standards to STEM.

Environmental Education Myths & Facts

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EE is Only for Formal School Teachers.

False!
Anyone who educates others about the environment or our natural resources, in alignment with the key pillars of EE, is considered an environmental educator.

EE is Only for Youth Under the Age of 18.

False!
EE focuses on lifelong learning, to educate learners of all ages—from early childhood to seniors—about nature and how to live sustainably.

EE Advocates a Particular Viewpoint.

False!
EE presents both sides of an issue and encourages learners to make sound decisions using critical thinking skills.

EE is Based on Opinions.

False!
Environmental educators simply provide unbiased information based in science and research rather than inserting their own opinions or invoking emotion.

The Key Pillars of Environmental Education

As outlined by the North American Association for Environmental Education, environmental education focuses on the importance of experiential, interdisciplinary education. These key pillars help to ensure that all EE learners develop problem solving and decision-making skills, understand how to be a civically engaged citizen as well as how to create a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable society.

Focus on systems thinking
Lifelong learning: cradle to grave
Focus on sound science
Built on a sustainability platform
Interdisciplinary

Informed decision making
Sense of place
Reflects best practice in education
(learner-centered, experiential, and project-based learning)

Environmental Education sustainability venn diagram from NAAEE

Who Practices Environmental Education?

Anyone, of any age, who educates others about the environment and our natural resources OR uses these as a tool for engaging others in learning—in such a way that is in alignment with the key pillars of EE—is considered an environmental educator. Environmental education does not only happen in science classrooms and is more than just information about the environment—it happens every day in non-formal and informal educational settings and interactions, driven by others or by oneself. While formal educators have powerful opportunities to use EE to teach every student who comes through their school doors, the value of learning from other sources by experiencing our natural world through critical thinking and self-reflection is of equal importance.

Environmental educators work with businesses to educate managers, employees, and vendors about environmental, health, and economic issues. They are facilitators of citizen science programs to help people understand the scientific process and use the data to help protect species, habitat, communities, and ecological processes. They are professors in universities who train the next generation of teachers, environmental professionals, business leaders, and others. They work with journalists to tell the story about the value of environmental education and with decision makers to advocate for environmental education. They work hand-in-hand with conservation professionals to help engage people and communities in finding solutions to conservation issues—from loss of biodiversity to climate change. And they work with health professionals who educate doctors, nurses, and other health professionals about the critical link between health and environment and how to increase time in nature to address health issues. They are naturalists helping to connect more people to nature and build stewardship values that last a lifetime.

North American Association for Environmental Education

Here in Arizona, You Can Find Environmental Educators Working in / as:

Botanical gardens like the Desert Botanical Garden
Arboreta like the Arboretum at Flagstaff and the University of Arizona
State and County governmental agencies like the Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Quality
Utility providers such as Salt River Project (SRP)
Attractions like the Phoenix Zoo
Public parks such as those operated by county agencies like Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation

Wildlife biologists, ornithologists, botanists, and conservation managers
Non-governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on natural resources like the Arizona Master Naturalist Association or the Tucson Mission Garden
Public and private universities as faculty and staff
Publishers and journalists such as those at Green Living Magazine
Ecologically responsible business leaders focused on sustainability and environmental impact
LEED Architects & Landscape Architects

Use the magnifying glass icons above to zoom in or out of the timeline. You can also drag the timeline from side to side and select specific events directly.
Timeline Source: NAAEE » eeLEARN » Module 2: The History of EE » Lesson 2: Timeline of EE History

The State of Environmental Education in Arizona

Environmental Education Has Strong Roots in Arizona.

In 1992, a group of stakeholders led by the then twelve-year-old AAEE, authored the first statewide environmental literacy plan in the nation. As the first document of its kind, the Arizona plan was modeled in the development of the Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education, now used worldwide. Unfortunately, that plan was repealed in 1994, yet environmental education has continued to thrive in both formal and non-formal education venues all across the state of Arizona.

Today, all three state universities in Arizona offer EE in the form of outreach programs and teacher training, and Arizona State University has recently launched an Environmental Education Certificate for students drawn to both formal and non-formal education. Educator events that emphasize EE, such as the annual EarthFest Educator Night provided by Arizona Forward, continue to draw hundreds of educators seeking resources and support to use EE in their classrooms.

As many as one hundred nonprofits, non-governmental agencies as well as local and state government agencies emphasize EE as part of their core outreach efforts and many have developed strong partnerships with schools and other organizations to maximize impact. Environmental education as an educational strategy is prevalent across the state of Arizona, however there is a strong need to elevate the profession and promote the integration of EE into experiences across the life of learners rather than maintaining isolated opportunities.

Arizona Greatly Needs a New Statewide Strategy to Develop Environmental Literacy.

With a holistic approach to providing high-quality environmental education opportunities through activities in the classroom, with non-formal institutions and at home—with strong support from all sectors statewide: business, education and legislation. Arizona is on track to strengthen environmental education both as a profession and as an integrated tool for developing environmental literacy, and AAEE is helping lead the way.

In March of 2016, AAEE held Environmental Literacy Summits in several locations across Arizona for the purpose of gathering stakeholder input to revitalize movement toward a statewide strategy to develop environmental literacy in Arizona. Representatives from schools, non-formal learning institutions, government agencies and businesses all came together to provide their important perspectives in regards to: why we need a statewide strategy, what should be included as well as who is still missing from the conversation. The broad participation seen statewide serves as a testament to the positive direction that we’re heading. Although we currently operate in an uncertain political climate, the work of the Arizona Association for Environmental Education and our partners will continue to strengthen the support for and efficacy of environmental education in Arizona.

To Learn More About Environmental Education, Check Out These Resources:

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What is Environmental Education?

You are EE! Environmental education (EE) is an organized effort to empower people and communities to work together towards a more sustainable future through education about how the natural environment functions, and how humans can manage their behavior to live sustainably.

Environmental Education Myths & Facts

EE is Only for Formal School Teachers.

EE is Only for Youth Under the Age of 18.

EE Advocates a Particular Viewpoint.

EE is Based on Opinions.

The Key Pillars of Environmental Education

Who Practices Environmental Education?

Here in Arizona, You Can Find Environmental Educators Working in / as:

The State of Environmental Education in Arizona

Environmental Education Has Strong Roots in Arizona.

Arizona Greatly Needs a New Statewide Strategy to Develop Environmental Literacy.

To Learn More About Environmental Education, Check Out These Resources:

About EE and Why It Matters | NAAEE

eeLEARN | NAAEE

Environmental Education (EE) | US EPA

National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)

Guidelines for Excellence: Best Practice in EE | NAAEE

Environmental Literacy Framework | NAAEE

Across the Spectrum: Resources for Environmental Educators, Third Edition (2016) | NAAEE

Environmental Education and Educating for Sustainable Development | UNESCO

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Environmental Literacy Community of Practice Steering Committee Monthly Meeting

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