States across the nation continue to advance environmental literacy for K-12 students through the development and implementation of comprehensive Environmental Literacy Plans (ELPs). These plans reflect a systemic approach to the integration of environmental education into the K-12 curriculum in order to support academic achievement, social-emotional learning, civic engagement, and workforce development. Many also include objectives related to early childhood nature-based play and learning, public access to nature, youth outdoor engagement, and community health and wellness. 

This is the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE)'s third status report on the progress states are making as they continue to advance their goals and objectives and implement recommendations for environmental literacy. In addition to an overview of findings, this report provides case studies from California, Colorado, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon, and Rhode Island.