EEA
Our Impact and Goals

Dedicated to realizing the vision of a world where every child grows up to be a problem-solver who is connected to nature, knowledgeable about the environment, and empowered to create a just and sustainable future. 

How EEA Advances the Field of Environmental and Outdoor Learning

The Environmental Education Alliance (EEA) strives to ensure that all 1.8 Million preK-12 students in Georgia have the opportunity to engage with nature, make real-world connections through outdoor learning, and gain a deep understanding of how the world works, so they are prepared to make sound decisions,  inspired to innovate, and motivated to take action to protect the planet.

We approach this mission by supporting and increasing the capacity of educators, and by providing resources and models to help communities engage in environmental problem-solving, including neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by adverse environmental conditions and related health effects. 

EEA Points of Difference

EEA is unique in the following ways:

• Backbone organization for environmental and outdoor education in Georgia for 30 years
• Designated as the NAAEE affiliate for Georgia
• Designated as the affiliate of National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education
• Nationally-accredited EE certification program (first in the nation, 11 years ago)
• Host of Environmental and Outdoor Education Conference and Research Symposium
• Convener of Environmental Education CEO Roundtable for 30 years
• Administrator of 1,000 Georgia Outdoor Classroom Grants for GaDOE from 1994-2004
• First Outdoor Learning Symposium in nation - project of Council of Outdoor Learning
• Organizer of BIPOC-led coalition advocating for equitable and inclusive EE
• Entrusted by NAAEE, C&NN, NPEEE to lead Outdoor Learning Collaboratory
• Manages three-country Journey North community science project: Symbolic Migration
• Creator of original curriculum series: EcoEngineering Challenges, Zero Waste Heroes, GREAT Pathways Projects
• Fiscally sponsors environmental education and stewardship programs including Project WET, AdoptAStream, Rivers Alive, EEinGeorgia

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Strategic Goal #1:   Driving excellence and sparking innovation 

KEY FINDINGS:  Well-delivered environmental education engages students in gaining the background information, know-how and motivation to ensure a more-sustainable future. When combined with outdoor learning, students make real-world connections to the curriculum, improve academic outcomes, explore nature in ways that forge lifelong appreciation, experience physical and mental health benefits, and protect the planet. (Research citations here)

But like any field, environmental and outdoor learning varies in quality, cost-effectiveness, and results.  A lack of recognition of how environmental concepts fit into the Georgia Standards of Excellence, fragmentation of core ideas among the standards at multiple grade levels, misconceptions about what infrastructure is needed and which instructional methods are most empowering, and lack of authentic problem-solving opportunities can leave students with heightened awareness and anxiety about the environment without the knowledge, ability or confidence to solve related problems. (Research here). 

EEA RESPONSE:  As the backbone organization for environmental education and outdoor learning in Georgia, EEA drives excellence in the field by promoting research-informed practices, proven models, effective teaching resources, and key instructional methods; recognizing and rewarding excellence; inspiring innovation; amplifying the needs of teachers and environmental education providers; and advocating for adequate funding to ensure high-quality learning experiences for every Georgia child. 

Outcomes and IMPACTS in 2021-23
Provided professional development that increased the capacity of educators for leading effective ee experiences

• Provided customized professional development for 190 teachers in 4 school districts, affecting 11.400 students
• Hosted an Outdoor Learning Symposium for 65 teachers and ee providers, benefitting more than 3900 students 
• Modeled citizen science by conducting four Monarchs Across GA workshops for 100 educators
• Facilitated 1,600 teachers and 40,000 students from the US, Canada and Mexico in the Symbolic Migration project
• Offer a nationally-accredited certification program for environmental educators​​ (ATEEG)
• Piloting the Georgia Schoolyard Forest Network and related professional learning
  

​Created Georgia's eeCredential program to provide online, self-paced, year-round, affordable professional development options

• Imported content created by partners; created courses
• Created and piloted a course on selecting high-quality  environmental education materials, with EPA sub-grant ​

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Launched the Outdoor Learning Collaboratory to solicit input on best practices in outdoor learning

• Forged partnerships with NAAEE, Children and Nature Network, Trust for Public Lands, Green Schools National Network, Captain Planet Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, Earth Force,  National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education, Outdoor Learning Store, schools
• Conducted 5 listening sessions at Children and Nature Network Conference, SEEA Conference, NAAEE Conference, and virtually, through interactive webinars
• Identifying best practices for design and development of outdoor learning spaces, instructional strategies, content, program longevity and scalability

​Recognized exemplary educators and organizations 

• Recognized outstanding organizations and individuals with awards

Curated collections of exemplary educational materials

• Created Zero Waste Heroes curriculum  and workshops for grades K-12; piloted the program with 60 educators and support from an EPA Region 4 sub-grant
• Created EcoEngineering Challenges to model how STEM projects, phenomenon-based learning, and environmental problem-solving can be combined 
• Curated garden-based learning activities and other outdoor learning resources into free, online collections​
• Consulted with Georgia Public Television on the creation of video-based environmental science modules for high school (created GPTV with support from the R Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation)

Opportunities for INVESTMENT 2023-25

$30,000       



$1,000  -           $20,000


​$6,000 -       $12,000        per course




$25,000




​
$15,000



​


​

​$20,000



$5,000
 per challenge





​$7,500
 per storyline




​$25,000

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Create and pilot a climate education model  with professional development for teachers, curated teaching materials, and student-directed projects to reduce CO2e and climate impacts.

Fund scholarships for educators to attend the EEA Outdoor Learning Symposium, Conference, MAG workshops or professional learning series.

​Expand the eeCredential courses and certification by supporting development of new self-paced online courses (including staff time to develop, contractor to edit videos and upload course modules, stipend for course moderators, and scholarships for pilot offering)

​Utilize feedback from the 6 month Outdoor Learning Collaboratory community engagement process  to create new Guidelines for Excellence in Outdoor Learning and an associated workshop and online course

​Develop a tiered recognition program for schools and ee providers that encourages adoption of the Guidelines for Excellence in Outdoor Learning; requires continuing professional development; recognizes student-directed projects; and offers  an on-ramp or alternative to contests that recognize student-directed projects for environmental benefits

Spotlight model outdoor learning programs by creating videos, developing case studies, and creating replicable templates or frameworks

​Expand EcoEngineering Challenges, creating more of these phenomenon-based lessons to engage students in authentic problem-solving with environmental and social outcomes, based on research about retaining girls and children of color in STEM 
​
Expand the Environmental Storylines project-based learning curricular units on Water Quality, Biodiversity and Zero Waste to include new units on Climate Change, Introduced Species, and Air Quality.

Create a new Outdoor Learning STEM or Science Endorsement for certified teachers; get approval; conduct a pilot year; revise; offer the replicable framework to RESAs and  districts.

Strategic Goal #2:  Demonstrating Value and Collective Impact

KEY FINDINGS:  Foundations and funders want to be able to assess  impact of environmental education and outdoor learning with qualitative and quantitative measures, yet there is not a consistent statewide approach to data collection or program evaluation among environmental educators. A common set of metrics and framework for data reporting is needed to demonstrate collective impact of Georgia teachers and ee / outdoor learning providers. 

EEA RESPONSE: The ongoing EE Landscape Analysis is garnering more information about and the planned CoOL Schoolyards recognition program will provide updatable metrics on ee, outdoor learning, and the value of student projects.

Outcomes and IMPACTS in 2021-23
Conducted a statewide survey of ee and outdoor learning providers in Georgia called the 'EE Landscape Analysis'

• ​Partnered with Southeastern Environmental Ed Alliance and Pisces Foundation and conducted the EE Landscape Analysis for GA by surveying environmental education and outdoor learning providers during Phase 1 
• Analyzed survey results to identify Georgia's strengths, gaps, and weaknesses in environmental education and outdoor learning
• Provided free access to EE Landscape Analysis planning tools including ARC-GIS maps and data trends dashboard reflecting survey results

Obtained a web platform from San Francisco Unified School District for use in collecting and analyzing data from schools and environmental education providers in GA

• Cloned a free web platform, which was already designed and formatted for data collection, resource sharing, and leaderboard regarding environmental actions, impacts, and environmental education opportunities​
• Designed a ready-to-implement tiered recognition program for schools that engage students in outdoor learning

Opportunities for INVESTMENT 2024-25

$10,000









​

​
​
​$20,000
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Employ EE Landscape Analysis planning tools to increase access to outdoor learning across GA

• Convene the EE Roundtable - CEOs of environmental organizations in GA - and the Council of Outdoor Learning to consider the EE Landscape Analysis results, agree on collective goals​ to raise visibility of Georgia successes and address gaps or deficiencies
• Conduct Stage 3 : focus groups in schools, with the goal of reaching every Georgia district and overcoming self-selection bias 

​Drive excellence in the field by promoting best practices and collecting data to demonstrate collective impact of outdoor learning

• Customize cloned website's metrics, leaderboard for Georgia schools
• Use the website as a framework for the new CoOL Schoolyards tiered recognition program to incentivize adoption of best practices and reporting of data,  projects
• Market and launch the program

Strategic Goal #3:  Increasing Investment in the EE / OL Field

KEY FINDINGS:  Of the $115.8 Million invested in environmental literacy grantmaking during 2019, only 8% of that total went to organizations in the Southeast. Further, the median grant size to southeastern organizations was $2,383: at least 700% smaller than the median grant size in any other region of the country. 

​EEA RESPONSE:  Increase visibility and recognition of our alliance's value - including the work of EEA's 122 member organizations and others in the field of environmental education and outdoor learning in GA; advocate for state funding of outdoor learning in schools; create partnerships to leverage support in this field; and support funders who make grants in Georgia and the SE.

Outcomes and IMPACTS in 2021-23
Advocated for creation of Georgia's new GOLD grants (GA Outdoor Learning Demonstration grants) from the State

• Supported the Georgia Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning in partnership with Children and Nature Network, Georgia Science Teachers Assoc. and others
• Convened our coalition  to testify at hearings,  lead tours for legislators, organize letter writing campaigns 
• Drafted language for proposed legislation and funding
• EEA was selected to administer GOLD grants on behalf of the GA Dept. of Education

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Partnered to Organize an Environmental Funders Group and eeCEO Roundtable

• Planned and organized an environmental education funders group in collaboration with SEEA counterparts 
• First meeting to be hosted by Blue Sky Funders Forum and Pisces Foundation in September​
• EE Landscape Analysis projects and preliminary results to be featured on the program of the first meeting​

Opportunities for INVESTMENT 2024-25

$10,000










​
​
​$   2,000

Demonstrate value of GOLD Grant projects and increase future funding

• Administer GOLD Grants for GA DOE, with assistance needed for costs of application portal, proposal review, monitoring of funded programs, evaluation
• Assess grant-funded projects; collect data; and create case studies and videos of 2022-23 and 2023-24 grantees
• Advocate for increased GOLD grant funding in FY 2025

​Lift up the work of Georgia foundations and funders who support EE in the Southeast

• Host a future in-person meeting of SE Environmental Funders Group
• ​Spotlight innovative funder collaborations like the Climate Solutions and Equity Grant Partners,  GoodUse Partners, etc. in GA

Strategic Goal #4:  Advancing Equity and Inclusion 

KEY FINDINGS:  Environmental education and outdoor learning does not currently engage all Georgia children. EEA's EE Landscape Analysis has identified gaps: especially  in rural areas, under-resourced neighborhoods; and communities disproportionately affected by environmental health burdens. Environmental educators do not always reflect  demographics of their students, nor do all children feel welcome and valued in outdoor learning settings. 

EEA RESPONSE:  Increase teacher capacity to use inclusive instructional strategies and address gaps in program accessibility, while spotlighting leading edge, BIPOC-led environmental education programs in Georgia.

Outcomes & IMPACTS in 2021-22
Partnered with BIPOC-led environmental ed organizations to create professional learning course called JEDI Path (Greening Youth Fdn, Outdoor Afro, Keeping It Wild, FACE, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance,  Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, EarthWise, Captain Planet Foundation, etc.) 

• Filmed BIPOC leaders describing culturally-competent practices (Tides Fdn)
• Prepared to incorporate films into online course / workshop when funds secured 
• Partnering with GA Tech to host JEDI Path workshop on Jan 16, 2023 ​

​​​Improved equitable access to ATEEG certification by pivoting to hybrid courses that are more affordable, accessible, convenient during the pandemic and beyond

• Currently piloting hybrid Core Course 3​​

Diversified EEA's internal operations 

• Reviewed operations and programs to identify opportunities to increase diversity, equity and inclusion
• Cast a wider net for board members, advisory groups, and contractors to ensure broader representation 

Developed online course about selecting high quality EE teaching materials, based on the Guidelines for Excellence

• Partner organizations contributed videos for modules

Opportunities for INVESTMENT

$15,000










​
​30,000









​$ 15,000


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Complete the JEDI Path course to increase educator capacity for inclusive teaching by building course modules based on videos previously created with a Tides Foundation grant 

• Develop an in-person workshop as an alternative version of the online course
• Provide scholarships for JEDI Path  workshop on Dr. King Day 2023
• Pay diverse facilitators to deliver the workshop and moderate the online course​​

Continue to increase equitable access to and  diversity 

• Continue transition ATEEG certification from 3-day in-person  courses to hybrid format 
• Pay stipends for previously-volunteer instructor positions in recognition of the value and professionalism of this work and in order to diversify instructors (and then diversify candidates)​​

​Expand the CoOL Toolkit  to fill need for low-cost, high quality teaching supplies and improvements

• ​Partner with vendors, retailers, government agencies to create gear kits and leverage prices based on discounts for scale

Strategic Goal #5:  Increasing EEA's Effectiveness 

KEY FINDINGS:  EEA is in the best position to spotlight the assets and accomplishments of its member organizations and to amplify their needs, when the Alliance is managed by a lean, cost-effective, connected, efficient, and responsive non-profit organization. 

EEA RESPONSE: To that end, EEA works to continuously improve its operations, program quality,  partnerships, understanding of the field, and ability to make a difference. 

Outcomes & IMPACTS in 2021-22
Improved EEA operations 

• Transitioned to fund accounting on an accrual basis 
• Conducted first audit in 5 years and received positive management letter
• Reviewed and revised contracts, by-laws, articles of incorporation and manuals with pro bono attorneys
• Hired contractors for ATEEG program (6-8 hrs per week) and in accounting (4 hours per week)
• Increased part-time Exec Director from half to 2/3 time

Strengthened coalition of EE and outdoor learning providers

• Increased EEA Organizational Members from 4 to 122 (up 3000%)​

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Opportunities for INVESTMENT

$25,000 / year for 2 years


$20,000





​

​Provide seed funds to increase ED hours to full time, in order accomplish work plan

Provide resources for hiring of employees or contractors to assist EEA with communications,  programs and events, and operations (to which Board members are now contributing). Focus on:

• Marketing EEA opportunities
• Increasing awareness of EEA resources for current organizational members
• Recruiting new organizational members

Offer cost-sharing of resources and services needed by environmental education providers in Georgia to increase efficiency such as web platforms, shared graphics staff, etc. 

​OUR IMPACT
Case studies regarding how the field of environmental and outdoor learning is advanced . . . 
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QUALITY

Driving excellence and sparking innovation

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EFFECTIVENESS

Mobilizing support and increasing investment

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SIGNIFICANCE

Demonstrating value and collective impact

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EQUITY

Advancing equity and inclusion

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