A Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Program
of the Northwest Environmental Education Council
4742 42nd Avenue SW, PMB 322, Seattle, Washington 98116
Ph: (206)762-1976, Fx: (206)762-1979, www.nwetc.org
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EE)?
EE teaches people to understand and appreciate the natural world around them, and to think critically and creatively to identify and solve environmental problems. As a field, EE is centered on two relationships: (1) the interdependence of living organisms in an ecological framework (i.e., the web of life, food chain, etc.), and (2) the interactions between human society and the natural world (i.e., water pollution, deforestation, etc.). EE programs often emphasize ways in which human activities can preserve or restore environmental quality. EE participants are provided with the knowledge and skills to look at environmental issues critically, helping them make informed, balanced decisions and take responsible actions. EE requires an interdisciplinary approach that draws connections between environmental issues and the associated social, economic, political, scientific, and technological concerns.
