About NAAEE
The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the leading voice for environmental education across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Founded in 1971, NAAEE brings together educators, scientists, policymakers, and community leaders who share a common belief that an informed and engaged public is essential to solving todays environmental challenges.
With a network of more than 5,000 individuals and over 150 member organizationsincluding schools, museums, nature centers, and governmental agenciesNAAEE works to integrate environmental learning into formal and informal education settings. The associations influence extends from classroom curricula to national policy, helping to shape the next generation of environmental stewards.
Mission & Vision
Mission: To promote and support quality environmental education and education for sustainability around the world.
Vision: A world where every person has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values needed to protect the environment and live sustainably.
To achieve this vision, NAAEE focuses on three core strategies:
- Professional Development: Building capacity among educators through workshops, webinars, and conferences.
- Advocacy: Influencing policy at local, state, and national levels to embed environmental education in standards and funding formulas.
- Resource Sharing: Providing highquality curriculum materials, research, and bestpractice guides to practitioners.
Key Programs & Initiatives
1. Environmental Education Grants
NAAEE administers several grant programs, including the Environmental Education Grant Program and the Green Schools Grant. These competitive awards support projects that enhance outdoor learning, develop innovative curricula, and engage underserved communities.
2. NAAEE Conference & Expo
Held annually, the conference brings together thousands of educators and stakeholders for three days of keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and an expo showcasing cuttingedge tools and resources. Recent themes have included climate resilience, equity in environmental education, and the role of technology in naturebased learning.
3. The Green Learning Initiative
Through partnerships with schools and districts, this initiative helps institutions adopt sustainable practicessuch as campus gardens, renewable energy projects, and wastereduction programswhile integrating these actions into the curriculum.
4. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
Regional PLCs provide ongoing peertopeer support. Members meet virtually or in person to share lesson plans, discuss challenges, and cocreate solutions tailored to local ecosystems and cultural contexts.
5. Advocacy Toolkit
The toolkit equips educators with template letters, data sheets, and talking points to effectively communicate with legislators and school boards about the importance of environmental education funding and standards.
Membership
Joining NAAEE offers individual educators, institutions, and corporate partners a suite of benefits:
- Access to the Journal of Environmental Education and the Environmental Education Research database.
- Reduced fees for conferences, webinars, and regional workshops.
- Eligibility for grant applications and award nominations.
- Networking opportunities through special interest groups and local chapters.
- Subscription to the monthly Eco-Connections newsletter.
Membership categories include:
- Individual teachers, students, researchers.
- Institutional schools, museums, NGOs.
- Corporate businesses seeking sustainability partnerships.
- Student discounted rates for undergraduate and graduate learners.
Renewal is annual, and the organization offers a sliding scale to ensure accessibility for smaller or underfunded programs.
Resources for Educators
NAAEEs resource hub contains thousands of free and lowcost materials, organized by grade level, topic, and learning outcome. Highlights include:
- Curriculum Guides: Standardsaligned units on biodiversity, climate change, water stewardship, and more.
- Lesson Plans: Readytouse activities ranging from backyard biodiversity inventories to citizenscience airquality monitoring.
- Multimedia: Interactive maps, videos, and podcasts that bring complex ecological concepts to life.
- Assessment Tools: Rubrics and surveys designed to measure knowledge gains, attitude shifts, and behavior change.
- Professional Development Modules: Selfpaced courses accredited for continuing education credits.
A searchable database makes it easy for teachers to find materials that align with local standards and the specific ecosystems they serve.
Contact & Further Information
For more details about membership, upcoming events, or to request a grant application, please visit the official website or contact the NAAEE office directly.
Website: https://naaee.org
Email: info@naaee.org
Phone: +1 (703) 9392484
Follow NAAEE on social media for daily tips, success stories, and the latest research:
