Do you remember growing up catching fireflies, playing in the creek, or building a fort in your yard? Most children in today’s world won’t, which means that when they grow up, they may not have a vested interest in protecting our natural resources and natural spaces. Environmental educators across the state are working to change that. We believe that environmental education is a learning process that increases knowledge, develops skills, and fosters commitment to empower learners to make decisions for a sustainable future.
Environmental education (EE) provides time in and a connection to the outdoors, which has been shown to improve physical, mental, and emotional health - making it just as important for our participants as it is for the planet. More than ever, children and adults need to know how ecological systems work and why they matter. The health of the environment is inseparable from humans’ well-being and economic prosperity. People require knowledge, tools and sensitivity to successfully address and solve environmental problems in their daily lives.
Why should you get involved?
Because everyone benefits from environmental education. As a learner, teacher, parent, or community member, you can play a critical role in helping people access the intellectual, personal, and social benefits of environmental education.
As a society, we are facing huge environmental, social, and economic issues. The author Richard Louv spoke at our conference in 2016 and summed it up with a JAWS reference: We’re gonna need a bigger boat. Will you be a part of EENC’s bigger boat?
If you have a past experience that helped shape your love for and commitment to protecting our planet, please pay it forward by supporting EENC’s mission and work.
Prefer to support EENC via check? You can mail a check to: EENC, PO Box 4904, Chapel Hill, NC 27515. Be sure to let one of our board or staff members know you're contributing so we can show how your gift is helping us reach our goal.
Have a question about our work or need help with a donation? Contact Lauren Pyle.