Vision

We provide Professional Development and resources to support providers of environmental education in schools, nature centers, and informal settings throughout the state, who encourage students to explore, investigate and act. Environmental actions improve the health of the schools and communities in which Maryland’s children learn and live.

Mission

The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) encourages, engages and empowers the community to understand, responsibly use and promote the natural world.

Goals & Objectives

MAEOE encourages, engages, and empowers the community to understand, responsibly use and promote the natural world.

MAEOE is a membership association with over 400 members. MAEOE holds an annual conference with over 500 participants from the state and the Mid-Atlantic region. Our Environmental Education Certification program is growing.

We provide professional development and resources to support providers of environmental education in schools, nature centers, and informal settings throughout the state, who encourage students to explore, investigate and act. Environmental actions improve the health of the schools and communities in which Maryland’s children learn and live.

Current Initiatives

Our signature program, the Maryland Green Schools Program (MDGS), a sustainable schools program was established in 1999. MDGS is nationally recognized as having significant impact with students and schools.

Currently, 450 schools and 38 centers participate involving and engaging approximately 200,000 students, teachers, parents and the communities in which they live, work and play. Training is provided to Green Centers and Green Leaders to support teachers and students in successfully implementing sustainable practices including planting and increasing riparian buffer zones, recycling and reducing school waste, identifying cost saving energy reduction opportunities through audits and practical actions.

The program provides educational opportunities for preK-12 schools that promote responsible environmental stewardship practices and increase awareness of how our relationship with the environmental ultimately impacts public health and society. The program is aligned with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement 2014 goals and supports Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements and standards. At the 4th Annual Youth Summit Maryland’s Governor O’Malley, charged the participants saying “…what an awesome responsibility we have to pass [the Chesapeake Watershed] on to the next generation” (DNR Press Release 2013).

MAEOE holds two annual events, the MAEOE Conference in February, and the Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit in May. The Conference is a three day professional learning event with over 500 teachers, nonformal educators, resource personnel and others all focused on improving the knowledge and capacity of environmental educators across the state and region. The Youth Summit is a celebration for successful Green School applicants. Please read the MAEOE 2015 annual report for more information.