EPA: Partnering to advance environmental literacy

EPA and NAAEE have been in partnership to advance environmental literacy for decades. NAAEE works closely with the Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education (OPEEE), which leads and coordinates EPA programs to provide national leadership in promoting environmental literacy, in accordance with the National Environmental Education Act of 1990 (NEEA). NAAEE is currently the lead on this training program, named ee360 to promote leadership and professional development for educators across North America. In addition to ee360, OPEEE maintains close working relationships with a wide range of public- and private-sector organizations and runs a number of programs, including the environmental education grants program, the Global Environmental Education Partnership, and is a sponsor of NAAEE’s annual conference, with strategic initiatives aligned with NAAEE's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the field.

Environmental education is part of EPA’s overall strategy to protect human health and the environment. The Agency works to ensure that all Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn and work and that all parts of society—including communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local, and tribal governments—have access to accurate information to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks. EPA also contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable, and economically productive. EPA accomplishes their mission by developing and enforcing regulations, giving grants, studying environmental issues, sponsoring partnerships, and educating people about the environment.