ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ALLIANCE
advancing nature experiences, outdoor learning, and environmental ed for every GA child
EEA's Vision
"Every Georgia child can grow up as a problem-solver who is connected to nature,
knowledgeable about the environment, motivated to protect the earth, empowered to create a sustainable future."
knowledgeable about the environment, motivated to protect the earth, empowered to create a sustainable future."
What We Do
EEA supports, amplifies, and champions educators who leverage the power of environmental and outdoor learning so students can be engaged in meaningful learning experiences that include opportunities to solve real-world environmental challenges.
Theory of Change
Motivation to protect the planet arises from exploring and enjoying nature: something every Georgia child deserves to experience. Becoming empowered to care for the earth requires not only nature connection and environmental literacy, but also authentic problem-solving experiences that foster confidence in the ability to make a difference.
GOAL #1 : High Quality Education
To drive excellence and spark innovation in the field; translate research into best practices; share exemplary models, methods, and materials; support and build capacity of educators to engage children in problem-solving. |
GOAL #2: Advancing the Field
To demonstrate the collective impact of environmental and outdoor education; foster collaboration; mobilize support and encourage investment in resources including outdoor spaces, professional development, and student supplies. |
GOAL #3: Access
To ensure that every Georgia child has access to nature and is included and engaged in relevant, place-based foundational outdoor experiences that result in curiosity, affinity and appreciation for the natural world. |
THE LATEST NEWS . . .
EEA's CREST Summer Institute ~ a Tree-mendous Success!
EEA's first weeklong Summer Institute: CREST, engaged 50 of the state's brightest and best teachers and district science coordinators in exploring the "Ghost Forest" of Jekyll Island, calculating the carbon captured by trees, investigating forest ecosystems, using apps to identify tree species, and planning an arboretum of native trees for the schoolyard. In addition, participants engineered devices to separate microplastics from sand and water, investigated how trees hyperaccumulate nano-plastics from the soil and air, and compared temperatures of different surfaces in the sun and in the shade to learn more about the urban heat island effect. The theme of the week was using trees to integrate outdoor learning with 3-Dimensional Science for all grade levels. Many thanks to the R. Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation for funding this professional learning event.
EEA's first weeklong Summer Institute: CREST, engaged 50 of the state's brightest and best teachers and district science coordinators in exploring the "Ghost Forest" of Jekyll Island, calculating the carbon captured by trees, investigating forest ecosystems, using apps to identify tree species, and planning an arboretum of native trees for the schoolyard. In addition, participants engineered devices to separate microplastics from sand and water, investigated how trees hyperaccumulate nano-plastics from the soil and air, and compared temperatures of different surfaces in the sun and in the shade to learn more about the urban heat island effect. The theme of the week was using trees to integrate outdoor learning with 3-Dimensional Science for all grade levels. Many thanks to the R. Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation for funding this professional learning event.
Georgia Schoolyard Forest Network
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How many trees make a schoolyard forest?
The Georgia Schoolyard Forest Network will launch at the Outdoor Learning Symposium on Tuesday October 15. An entire track of sessions will feature schoolyard forests. Learn how to plant trees, care for and expand your schoolyard forest, and use trees or forests to engage students in real-world investigations and problem solving. Discover how you can be involved in the CoOL Schoolyards recognition program, where ee providers offer student projects that demonstrate best practices in outdoor learning and schools earn points for completing them.
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Schoolyard Forest Design LecturesLearn about all aspects of schoolyard forests, from planning and design to tree selection, planting, maintenance, stormwater infrastructure, and mitigating the effects of climate change. This free lecture series is presented by Green Schoolyards America.
Next UpSpotlight: Vancouver Schoolyard Forests
Thursday, April 17th, 2025 / 2pm -3:00 pm ET Guest speakers Jessica George, from the City of Vancouver, and Jane Tesner-Kleiner, from the Lower Columbia Nature Network, will share how they are expanding schoolyard forest efforts at two school districts in Vancouver, Washington. They will describe how they are engaging a broad web of local and regional partnerships through tree planting, administering city codes and ordinances, outreach and community engagement, paid job training for youth, and more.
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 Photo by Nancy Sinistre
Future Lectures in the Series
Spotlight: Maine TREE Foundation
Thursday, May 15th, 2025 / 2:00-3:00pm ET More Information | Register |
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CoOL Schoolyards!
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RECENT EVENTS
EEA's Conference Held in March at Jekyll Island
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Akiima Price was the Keynote Speaker at the Conference on Environmental and Outdoor Learning Feb 28 - Mar 2. Akiima is a nationally-esteemed leader in environmental education known for her pioneering work in Restorative Park Engagement strategies that use nature to connect economically-stressed urban communities with transformative outdoor experiences. Her work promotes healing, community, and meaningful connections to parks.
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Free ECO-Educator Workshops:
Teaching 3-D Science Outdoors
EEA is offering a series of free professional learning workshops for non-formal educators and K-12 teachers who want to
increase their capacity for engaging students outdoors, in 3-Dimensional Science and interdisciplinary learning
Rescheduled! - Note new dates:
increase their capacity for engaging students outdoors, in 3-Dimensional Science and interdisciplinary learning
Rescheduled! - Note new dates:
INTRO Workshop Jun 13 in Marietta
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ADVANCED Workshop Jul 10 in Marietta
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Congrats the the 2024-25 Winners of
GOLD Grants for Outdoor Learning
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154 Applications received and reviewed 23 Grantees announced: Nov 2024 Funds available: Dec 2024 (drawdown on reimbursement basis) Project completion deadline: June 30, 2025 Eligible applicants: public schools, school districts, public agencies, non-profit organizations, or beneficiaries must be GA public school students Eligible activities: professional learning for educators, schoolyard improvements, supplies for outdoor learning, and/or field trips Grant amounts: $500 - $5000 per grant; at least 18 grants to be awarded Grant Writing Webinars: August 12 and September 9 |
GOLD Grants will be available again for the 2025-26 School Year. Application opens in July.
EEA PROGRAMS
EEA Signature Programs
EEA operates these signature programs to promote excellence and collective impact in environmental and outdoor learning.
CoOL hosts an annual Outdoor Learning Symposium, manages the Outdoor Learning Collaboratory to identify best practices in design and use of outdoor learning spaces, created the Outdoor Learning Toolkit, manages the Georgia Schoolyard Forest Network, advocates for outdoor education to engage all children in nature experiences, field investigations, problem-solving and stewardship. |
MAG offers educator workshops using the Monarchs, Milkweed and More curriculum, hosts a biennial Pollinator Symposium, teaches land managers, garden clubs and schools how to restore native habitat, certifies pollinator habitats that demonstrate best practices, manages the annual Symbolic Migration as part of Journey North, and provides pollinator habitat grants. |
ATEEG is a nationally-accredited certification program for pK-12 teachers, professors, and non-formal environmental educators. It consists of three core courses and an independent project. Each core course is offered in a hybrid format that includes an in-person workshop, self-paced modules, and interactive webinars. Georgia and out-of-state candidates welcome. |
EEA Partner Programs
EEA supports these environmental and outdoor learning programs, providing fiscal sponsorship and tax-exempt status.
Georgia Project WET is a water education program that envisions a world in which action-oriented education enables every child to understand and value water, ensuring a sustainable future. Project WET promotes awareness, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources by creating and distributing teaching materials and conducting educators workshops. |
Rivers Alive is Georgia's volunteer waterway cleanup program. It aims to keep all watersheds within the state trash-free and encourages volunteers to target streams, rivers, lakes, beaches, and wetlands to help to protect our waterways. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia's water resources. |
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) is the state's volunteer water quality monitoring program. Since 1993, the program has engaged citizen scientists all across Georgia and beyond in water protection activities, through a series of educational workshops which train individuals on the physical, chemical and biological health of their waterways. |
EEA Initiatives
EEA is focused on projects and programs that meet needs identified in the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
EE Landscape Analysis The EE Landscape Analysis was designed to find out more about environmental education (EE) in the southeast. EEA surveyed outdoor learning and EE providers and schools in Georgia. In partnership with seven other regional states, the data was analyzed and used to create maps and a suite of planning tools. The findings of this survey reveal strengths and needs throughout our state, and help prioritize action items of the eeCEO Roundtable. |
Outdoor Learning Collaboratory EEA is asking educators, property managers, and landscape architects to share their expertise and ideas about best practices in outdoor learning... from designing and creating spaces to fostering student-directed learning, and sustaining programs long-term. Our goal is to develop best practices and case studies in partnership with the National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education. |
Inclusive & Equitable Teaching Practices EEA's vision is for environmental education and outdoor learning to benefit every child in Georgia. To address gaps in access, EEA spotlights effective models, advances equitable instructional strategies, offers professional learning workshops and courses to increase capacity, and partners with organizations that have demonstrated success in culturally-competent teaching. |
Guidelines for Excellence Institute As Georgia's designated 'Guidelines for Excellence in EE Institute', EEA is authorized to offer Guidelines for Excellence courses developed by the National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education. These Guidelines set the standards for high-quality environmental education and reflect best practices. Each guide was drafted by a diverse team and reviewed nationwide. |
EEA Curated Teaching Collections
Celebrate outdoors and explore free teaching resources!
Click the pics to access the collections.
Click the pics to access the collections.
WILDLIFE VIEWING & ACTIVITIES
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GARDEN-BASED LEARNING
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CLIMATE CHANGE LESSONS
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DISPROPORTIONATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
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COMMUNITY (CITIZEN) SCIENCE
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ECO-ENGINEERING CHALLENGES
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EARTH MONTH ACTIVITIES
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PBLs
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ENVIRONMENTAL ED
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ENVIRONMENTAL CLUBS
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ZERO WASTE HERO
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EEA Resources
EEA invites members and partners to take advantage of these opportunities and services.
EE Database EEA manages the EEinGeorgia website as a resource database for job listings, grant opportunities, contests, awards, lessons, and profiles of schools and environmental education providers. |
Memorial Forest The EEA Memorial Forest provides a way to commemorate loved ones who have contributed to the field of environmental education by planting trees in their memory around the state. |
GreenSleeves EEA's virtual book club offers members a chance to discuss books and share ideas or reflections with each other. We are fortunate to have authors join us from time to time. |
Outdoor Learning Store EEA has partnered with the Outdoor Learning Store to provide a non-profit source of teaching supplies. A percentage of sales from Georgia goes to EEA. Enter code eea22$%! for 5% off. |
Funding for Environmental Education and Outdoor Learning
EEA offers these grant opportunities whenever funds are available.
Dragonfly GrantsEEA's Dragonfly Grants inspire innovation by encouraging environmental educators to integrate performing and visual arts with learning experiences. |
Pollinator Habitat Grants
EEA's Monarchs Across Georgia (MAG) Pollinator Habitat Grants encourage the creation or enhancement of native habitat for endangered monarch butterflies. |
CoOL GrantsEEA's Council of Outdoor Learning offers grants to support schoolyard improvements, student supplies, professional learning, and/or field trips, whenever funds are available. |
Outdoor Learning for All
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Pandemic Considerations
Click to read EEA's statement on ways that outdoor learning can contribute to safety and enable effective hands-on investigations during the pandemic and its aftermath. |
Outdoor Learning Toolkit
EEA's CoOL Toolkit for Outdoor Learning is a quick-start guide to creating outdoor learning spaces, managing students, and teaching outside classroom walls. |
Overcoming Obstacles
EEA's Tips and Techniques for Outdoor Learning are designed to help educators overcome challenges to outdoor learning. Many thanks to Jerry Hightower and Petey Giroux. |
Making the Case
To provide evidence for outdoor learning, consider this research on academic gains, improved physical and mental health, and increased "agency" or ability to make a difference. |
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EE Landscape Analysis
PUT YOUR SCHOOL or ORGANIZATION ON THE EE MAP
Please complete the survey today!
It's baaaaack! Please take the survey for the first time or update your previous response by clicking a button below
Does environmental and outdoor learning happen at your school? Tell us in this survey!
Every educator and administrator is invited to complete the survey - not just one per school or organization.
EE Landscape Analysis - Tools and Results from the First Survey
The EE Landscape Analysis was designed to learn more about providers of environmental education (EE) in the southeast. As part of this effort, EEA surveyed outdoor learning and EE providers in Georgia. In partnership with seven other regional states, the data was then analyzed and used to create maps and a suite of planning tools for schools, EE providers, and communities. Click the images below to try out the interactive maps and tools.
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We're rallying to raise support for expanding environmental and outdoor learning to every Georgia child. Your donation, in any amount, will be valued and appreciated. Please help EEA continue to provide professional learning events and courses for educators, offer free vetted teaching resources, advocate for funding, encourage collaboration, and foster excellence in the field of environmental and outdoor learning.
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Special Membership Offer
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For the cost of a cup of coffee, you can be a member of EEA. Pay as little as $3/month or $30/year in dues at the regular rate. EEA has a limited-time offer to JOIN or RENEW at the lower Nymph rate of $20. If you need a year of FREE MEMBERSHIP, email your request for the discount code to [email protected]. You can catch up next year, when times are better. Until then, enjoy this opportunity to meet people, strengthen skills, and keep up with emerging trends and issues. And, if you do have funds to spare, feel free to click the GIVE button below to contribute to our Membership Fund, so we can continue to offer this special deal.
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EEA Platinum Sponsors
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Waterfall Foundation Little Otter
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Jill's Butterfly Garden Workshop
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EEA is the official Georgia affiliate of NAAEE and SEEA
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Join the team! EEA is hiring a Communications and Events Specialist.
Learn more and apply HERE
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Environmental Education Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 801066 | Acworth, GA 30101 EEA does not does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its program , activities, or employment. For more information on EEA's non-discrimination commitment click here . Grievance officer may be contacted at [email protected] |