Arizona Association for Environmental Education

Our Mission Educate, Inspire, and Empower one another to actively and responsibly engage in our communities ecologically, socially, and civically. Our Vision A vibrant and ecologically sustainable future for Arizona with a well-informed and engaged population comprised of socially and ecologically responsible institutions. Visit our website to learn more https://www.arizonaee.org

Through lifelong learning, the Arizona Association of Environmental Education (AAEE) envisions that all people in Arizona understand the interconnection between humanity and the environment and will make informed decisions and take responsible actions to promote a healthy sustainable environment.

AAEE helps educators better communicate and educate their students about environmental issues and concepts. AAEE provides guidance for curriculum standards, and connects educators to resources and best practices in Environmental Education.

AAEE helps professional educators, formal and non-formal environmental educators, and the people that they educate by providing vital services throughout Arizona, including professional development through workshops, an educator certification program, guidelines for teaching and incorporating best practices, an annual conference, website resources, funding and scholarships for environmental education programs, outreach to educators working with an underserved audience, promoting diversity in environmental education, and facilitating a state-wide environmental literacy plan (ELP).

AAEE is a state affiliate of the North American Association of Environmental Education, and works with the national organization to create consistency in environmental education across the US and Canada. AAEE has a proven track record of raising standards of environmental education in Arizona through nationally sponsored guidelines workshops, and helping to shape the state environmental literacy plan. AAEE works with a wide range of environmental educators across multiple sectors. AAEE board members are a diverse group of individuals from both formal and non-formal education settings, as well as business entrepreneurs. Many of our governing board members have at least 20 years of experience in the field of environmental education.

Future plans include building membership capacity, developing programming, creating an environmental literacy plan for multiple stakeholders beyond environmental educators, and hiring staff to help fulfill our mission.

Environmental education (EE) is a process that helps individuals, communities, and organizations learn more about the environment, develop skills and understand how to address global challenges. It has the power to transform lives and society. It informs and inspires. It influences attitudes. And it motivates action. EE is a key tool in expanding the constituency for the environmental movement and creating healthier and more civically-engaged communities. -North American Association of Environmental Education.

The environment sustains all life on earth. It provides us with nourishment and inspiration. Our economy thrives on a healthy environment. A growing body of research tells us that time spent in nature provides physical and psychological benefits. Our personal and cultural identities are often tied to the environment around us. At the same time, it's impossible not to be deeply concerned about the unprecedented environmental, social, and economic challenges we face as a global society -- from climate change and loss of species and habitats, to declines in civic engagement, decreasing access to nature, a growing gap between the haves and have-nots, and other threats to our health, security, and future survival. Environmental education (EE) is a process that helps individuals, communities, and organizations learn more about the environment, develop skills to investigate their environment and to make intelligent, informed decisions about how they can help take care of it. -North American Association of Environmental Education

Visit our website to learn more: https://www.arizonaee.org

Testimonials

AAEE is making an impact with our Environmental Education Certification program. Here's what participants have to say.

"Excellent curriculum with opportunities for individualization yet with necessary guidance and focus to create a sound research-based certificate. I so enjoyed the interactions with my reviewer! "

"Loved this cohort and the assignments! I have learned a lot about environmental education and will carry what I have learned for the rest of my life. Thank you for this opportunity."

"Phenomenal, I enjoyed learning about environmental education and the history and values integrated in it. My favorite assignment would be the four interviews I had with various environmental educators. This sums up what this course is all about."

"The course encouraged me to strengthen my management skills and incorporate new presentations and discussions of environmental issues."