EE Week is April 12-18, 2009

National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) is the largest organized environmental education event in the United States. Made possible by Canon, it increases the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of educational preparation, learning, and activities in K-12 classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums. By participating in EE Week, you encourage your students to make a difference in their schools, homes, and communities!

What's New...

Alexandra Cousteau, EE Week's National Spokesperson, is featured in "Principal Voices: Climate Change" - CNN International's award-winning documentary series

Principal Voices is stimulating discussion on the major challenges facing the world today. Watch the video to learn about Alexandra's work to protect our Water Planet! 

National Environmental Education Week 2009: Be Water Wise!  

We are excited to announce the theme of National Environmental Education Week 2009: Be Water Wise! EE Week will be held from April 12-18, 2009. Stay tuned for new Be Water Wise! content on this site, and be sure to register for EE Week! In addition to a monthly e-newsletter and all of the resources available on this site, this year's partners will receive certificates of participation for themselves and their students and a coupon for $10 off a purchase at Acorn Naturalists, providers of science and nature resources for the trail and classroom. Those who register before January 30, 2009 will also receive a free copy of National Geographic Explorer magazine!

In celebration of the Be Water Wise! theme, we will be adding new content to this site. So far, we have launched

• A new series of water-themed Nature Journaling Blogs in partnership with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute,
• A new cateogry in the EE Week Curricula Library with lesson plans about water, and
• A Water Resources page with resources on teaching about water, helpful websites, and web activities for students.

Check back often for more resources for teaching about water!

 

Mr. Gary Swick named winner of the 2008 Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award - Now accepting nominations for the 2009 award!

The National Environmental Education Foundation is proud to announce Mr. Gary Swick of Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville, IL as winner of the 2008 Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award. In his 32 years at Dundee-Crown High School, Gary Swick has built an environmental education program that truly embodies the principles of the Bartlett Award. His students master their coursework through project-based learning, often serving as “Teen Teachers” for K-12 students and the extended community on topics such as solid waste, water quality, and restoring natural areas. Learn more about Gary and his work, read the acceptance speech he gave at the 2008 NAAEE Conference, or get details about the Bartlett Award. The nomination deadline has just been extended to February 13, 2009! 

  

Channel ONE Interview focuses on Carbon Footprints

NEEF reached out to Channel ONE, the major news and public affairs content provider to teens. Working closely with Channel ONE we were able to secure an interview with a student from a partner high school in New York City (New York High School for Environmental Studies) on April 14, the first day of National Environmental Education Week.

The interview focused exclusively on “the carbon footprint,” which directly supported 2008’s EE Week theme: Carbon Footprints. In addition to the interview at the New York High School for Environmental Studies, Channel ONE also requested video footage from the La Mirada High School Walk-to-school event, which took place during EE Week on April 16, 2008. Channel ONE plans to use this footage in future segments focusing on environmental education and awareness.

Viewed by more than 6 million teens a day, Channel One News is a Peabody Award-winning newscast shown in more than 8,000 high schools and junior highs. It is the most highly rated teen show in the country, covering news and public affairs that matter most to young people in America. Watch the Channel ONE video.

 

Children and Nature Initiative Launched

Children and Nature Initiative: Discover the health benefits of playing outdoors for children.  Learn more   

 

Students Ask...Experts Answer

Eco-Ambassadors selected through a national competition sponsored by The Weather Channel have some important questions on their minds about the environment.  Experts at the World Wildlife Fund offer answers to the questions based on their work. See all three questions and answer videos.