United States

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Overview

The US National Environmental Education Act was passed in 1990 and established the Office of Environmental Education in EPA.  Programs implemented by OEE include a national grant program, a national educator training and professional development program, two award programs, an environmental education foundation and an advisory council.

The United States is working to substantiate the field of environmental education through national efforts such as the Guidelines for Excellence, which provide recommendations for developing quality EE materials, and national programs that provide hands-on EE to thousands of students every year and help educators integrate EE and sustainable principles into their curricula. The United States is also launching initiatives to demonstrate the value and impact of EE through peer-reviewed research and success stories, producing national reports on the status of EE throughout the country, and developing guidelines for educators working in partnerships with communities to advance environmental protection and community wellbeing.

National EE Legislation 

The National Environment Education Act (NEEA) was passed by Congress in 1990 and created the Office of Environmental Education in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Programs implemented by OEE include a national grant program, a national educator training and professional development program, two award programs, an environmental education foundation and an advisory council.

EE in K-12 Education

The U.S. does not have a national K-12 curriculum. State governments determine K-12 curriculum standards. Within states, local school boards set curricula, budgets, and policies. Many U.S. states have developed Environmental Literacy Plans, and some include state standards for EE in the K-12 education system.

Professional Development and Certification 

Environmental educators participate in professional development through webinars, workshops and trainings, online courses, higher education programs, and conferences. EE certification is governed at the state level, and is offered in some U.S. states. Certification programs follow NAAEE’s Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators. 

Professional Associations 

The North American Association for Environmental Education promotes collaboration amongst environmental educators, including through its online professional network, eePRO

EE in the National Government 

The Office of Environmental Education in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information about environmental education initiatives, educator training and professional development, environmental education funding opportunities and access to online resources and publications

National EE Campaigns and Funding 

The National EE Foundation (NEEF) is an independent, national-level nonprofit organization complementary to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NEEF can receive private funds to match public funds for environmental education efforts at the EPA. 

Organizations

African Initiative for Environmental Education
Arizona Association for Environmental Education
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
Center for Nature and Place-Based Early Childhood Education
Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
Confluence Environmental Center
Earth and Sky School of Wilderness Studies
Earth Day Network
Environmental Educators of North Carolina
Institute for Earth Regenerative Studies
Iowa Conservation Education Coalition
Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College
National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)
National Wildlife Federation
New Hampshire Environmental Educators
NEXT.cc Designopedia
North American Association for Environmental Education
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
StoneLion Puppet Theatre
UCONN's Natural Resources Conservation Academy
US Environmental Protection Agency
White Oak Conservation
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center

Case Studies

Students at play

Outdoor preschools—schools where children spend the majority of the school day learning outdoors with a nature-focused curriculum—are growing rapidly in the United States.

Cover page of Rocking the Boat case study

Rocking the Boat is a non-profit organization that provides positive youth development programs for 14–18-year-old students in the South Bronx,  

Teen using an air quality monitor

This case study describes how one community-based organization is engaging high school students in ongoing study and action learning toward the goal of improving air quality.

Teen using an air quality monitor

這個案例研究敘述了一個社區型空氣品質改善的組織,號召高中生持續地以行動學習的方式朝空氣品質改善的目標而努力。

students carrying a tarp through a wooded area

The Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW) Program of Point Blue Conservation Science is a collaborative network of K–12 students and teachers leading their communities to restore their local ecosystems.

students carrying a tarp through a wooded area

STRAWStudents and Teachers Restoring A Watershed