Education for sustainable development comprises the subjects of environmental protection, the efficient utilisation of natural resources, the maintenance of the ecosystem and responsible attitudes among members of society and the business community. Environmental education is thus an integral aspect for sustainable development. Environmental Education (EE) is a methodology in which people pick up familiarity with their surroundings and secure learning, abilities, values, experiences, and passion, all of which will empower them to act – separately and aggregately – to take care of present and future environmental. Additionally, For people seeking employment in environmental education professions, we highly recommend visiting the eePRO site of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions.
- Schuylkill Center For Environmental Education
- Environmental Education Mn
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Environmental education (EE) connects us to the world around us, teaching us about both natural and built environments. EE raises awareness of issues impacting the environment upon which we all depend, as well as actions we can take to improve and sustain it.
Whether we bring nature into the classroom, take students outside to learn, or find impromptu teachable moments on a nature walk with our families, EE has many benefits for youth, educators, schools, and communities.
As a long time supporter of environmental education and as an Adjunct Professor of EE at University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, it is my passion to inspire future educators in this field. Over the years, I have asked each of my classes to share the reasons they teach EE, what it means to them, and how it can benefit learners of all ages. Here are our top ten benefits of EE.
Top 10 Benefits of Environmental Education
Imagination and enthusiasm are heightened
EE is hands-on, interactive learning that sparks the imagination and unlocks creativity. When EE is integrated into the curriculum, students are more enthusiastic and engaged in learning, which raises student achievement in core academic areas.
Learning transcends the classroom
Not only does EE offer opportunities for experiential learning outside of the classroom, it enables students to make connections and apply their learning in the real world. EE helps learners see the interconnectedness of social, ecological, economic, cultural, and political issues.
Critical and creative thinking skills are enhanced
EE encourages students to research, investigate how and why things happen, and make their own decisions about complex environmental issues. By developing and enhancing critical and creative thinking skills, EE helps foster a new generation of informed consumers, workers, as well as policy or decision makers.
Tolerance and understanding are supported
EE encourages students to investigate varying sides of issues to understand the full picture. It promotes tolerance of different points of view and different cultures.
State and national learning standards are met for multiple subjects
By incorporating EE practices into the curriculum, teachers can integrate science, math, language arts, history, and more into one rich lesson or activity, and still satisfy numerous state and national academic standards in all subject areas. Taking a class outside or bringing nature indoors provides an excellent backdrop or context for interdisciplinary learning.
Biophobia and nature deficit disorder decline
By exposing students to nature and allowing them to learn and play outside, EE fosters sensitivity, appreciation, and respect for the environment. It combats 'nature deficit disorder' … and it's FUN!
Healthy lifestyles are encouraged
EE gets students outside and active, and helps address some of the health issues we are seeing in children today, such as obesity, attention deficit disorders, and depression. Good nutrition is often emphasized through EE and stress is reduced due to increased time spent in nature.
Communities are strengthened
EE promotes a sense of place and connection through community involvement. When students decide to learn more or take action to improve their environment, they reach out to community experts, donors, volunteers, and local facilities to help bring the community together to understand and address environmental issues impacting their neighborhood.
Responsible action is taken to better the environment
EE helps students understand how their decisions and actions affect the environment, builds knowledge and skills necessary to address complex environmental issues, as well as ways we can take action to keep our environment healthy and sustainable for the future. Service-learning programs offered by PLT and other EE organizations provide students and teachers with support through grants and other resources for action projects.
Students and teachers are empowered
EE promotes active learning, citizenship, and student leadership. It empowers youth to share their voice and make a difference at their school and in their communities. EE helps teachers build their own environmental knowledge and teaching skills. I hope these 'top ten' benefits will give you the confidence and commitment to incorporate EE into your curriculum!
Want more resources?
- Sign up for The Branch: Project Learning Tree's newsletter for lesson plans and educator tips, professional development, and grant opportunities.
- Read more about Why Environmental Education is Important
- Attend a Project Learning Tree environmental education workshop in your state, or complete an online course and receive 96 hands-on lesson plans and fun activities that meet academic standards.
- Top Ten Tips for Teaching Outside – Early Childhood, Elementary, and High School
What is Environmental Education?
The Wisconsin Environmental Education Board defines environmental education as 'a lifelong learning process that leads to an informed and involved citizenry having the creative problem-solving skills, scientific and social literacy, ethical awareness and sensitivity for the relationship between humans and the environment, and commitment to engage in responsible individual and cooperative actions. By these actions, environmentally literate citizens will help ensure an ecologically and economically sustainable environment.'
Read more about environmental education and find additional resources on EEinWisconsin.org, including:
Schuylkill Center For Environmental Education
- Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education
- Links to Environmental Education in other states
Is Environmental Education Required?
State law requires that every school district develop and implement a kindergarten through grade 12 sequential curriculum plan for environmental education (see the Wisconsin Education 20 Standards). In addition, environmental education objectives and activities shall be integrated into the kindergarten through grade 12 sequential curriculum plans, with the greatest emphasis in art, health, science and social studies education [see Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 8.01(2)(k]. Curriculum planning can be guided by using the Wisconsin Standards for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability.
Teachers must also be prepared to teach environmental education and those with licenses in early childhood regular education, elementary and middle school regular education, science, and social studies must demonstrate knowledge and understanding in environmental education including the conservation of natural resources. [PI 34.022(2)]
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Environmental Education included in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Language in ESSA makes environmental education explicitly eligible for funding under Title IV:
- Environmental education is called out as eligible for funding under 'well-rounded education' grants program
- Environmental literacy programs are eligible for funding as part of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program
- The prioritization of STEM activities including 'hands-on learning' and 'field-based or service-learning' to enhance understanding of STEM subjects provides additional opportunities for environmental education programs
Download the fact sheet from the North American Association for Environmental Education
Schuylkill Center For Environmental Education
- Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education
- Links to Environmental Education in other states
Is Environmental Education Required?
State law requires that every school district develop and implement a kindergarten through grade 12 sequential curriculum plan for environmental education (see the Wisconsin Education 20 Standards). In addition, environmental education objectives and activities shall be integrated into the kindergarten through grade 12 sequential curriculum plans, with the greatest emphasis in art, health, science and social studies education [see Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 8.01(2)(k]. Curriculum planning can be guided by using the Wisconsin Standards for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability.
Teachers must also be prepared to teach environmental education and those with licenses in early childhood regular education, elementary and middle school regular education, science, and social studies must demonstrate knowledge and understanding in environmental education including the conservation of natural resources. [PI 34.022(2)]
Environmental Education Mn
Environmental Education included in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Language in ESSA makes environmental education explicitly eligible for funding under Title IV:
- Environmental education is called out as eligible for funding under 'well-rounded education' grants program
- Environmental literacy programs are eligible for funding as part of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program
- The prioritization of STEM activities including 'hands-on learning' and 'field-based or service-learning' to enhance understanding of STEM subjects provides additional opportunities for environmental education programs
Download the fact sheet from the North American Association for Environmental Education
Wisconsin's Plan to Advance Education for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability in PK-12 Schoolsprovides strategies for statewide collaboration to increase student academic achievement, improve student health, and save schools money through education for environmental literacy and sustainability. Download the entire document or the executive summary.
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Environmental Literacy
Environmental Education Associates
The ultimate goal for environmental education is environmental literacy. NAAEE in their Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines for Learning (K-12) (p2) define it this way: 'Environmentally literate students possess the knowledge, intellectual skills, attitudes, experiences and motivation to make and act upon responsible environmental decisions. Environmentally literate students understand environmental processes and systems, including human systems. They are able to analyze global, social, cultural, political, economic and environmental relationships, and weigh various sides of environmental issues to make responsible decisions as individuals, as members of their communities, and as citizens of the world. (Adapted from Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, April 2009)'
People who are environmentally literate understand the earth's ability to sustain human and other life. They take action and are involved in their community to help sustain our natural resources so that people can create and enjoy a high quality life for themselves and the future generations. This can be achieved through providing a balanced, academically-based environmental education as part of the curriculum. Breaking down walls between academic disciplines and other areas of environmental study to allow for integration will be essential to helping students become effective, productive, responsible, and environmentally literate 21st century citizens.
Environmental Education Jobs
