Equity in Environmental Education

The Need

Environmental Literacy

Environmental Justice

In the United States, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have less access to quality Environmental Education and experience a disproportionate burden from environmental destruction and degradation which has direct consequences to their health, wealth, education, and access to opportunities.

Environmental Justice

Environmental Literacy

Environmental Justice

The U.S. EPA defines environmental justice as the “fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys:· the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and · equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.”

Environmental Literacy

The National Environmental Education Foundation (“NEEF”) defines an environmental literate person “as someone who, both individually and together with others, makes informed decisions concerning the environment; is willing to act on these decisions to improve the well-being of other individuals, societies, and the global environment; participates in civic life.”

What we do

Create EE programming

Increase BIPOC participation

Create EE programming

We create high-quality EE programming designed for the BIPOC audience. We will emphasize that it be relevant to their everyday lives that will bring interest to these learners by catering the programming to meet their cultural and identity needs. We deliver the content to the BIPOC audience in ways that are effective and meaningful to them.

Design EE curriculum

Increase BIPOC participation

Create EE programming

We design our curricula using established objectives of Awareness, Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, Behavior, and Participation guided with the understanding that the target audience will be BIPOC. The program materials are accurate and balanced, incorporating multiple perspectives and interdisciplinary aspects, and are instructionally sound using best practices in education.

Increase BIPOC participation

All programs and curriculum are relevant, especially around issues important to the BIPOC community, involve these stakeholders in all stages of the development of the program, and are designed specifically to increase BIPOC participation in all programs of the organization.

Reduce disparity in EE

Increase environmental literacy

Increase BIPOC participation

By creating content and facilitating its delivery through strategic partners in the EE community, we target the BIPOC audience specifically to increase their access to quality EE. We also build opportunities in and increase access to wild, natural spaces for BIPOC.

Increase environmental literacy

Our programs empower BIPOC learners with skills to address environmental issues and encourage a sense of personal and civic responsibility in advocating to advance environmental justice.

Evaluate and advance EE

Increase environmental literacy

We work with partners that are looking to expand their reach to the BIPOC audience. We evaluate current EE efforts and design advancements to meet the needs of the BIPOC audience and build those programs or curricula onto the partners’ current slate of EE programs.