Programs and Organizations that Encourage Adult Environmental Education

Programs and Organizations that Encourage Adult Environmental Education

* Conservation education and governmental agencies such as the Forestry Service and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were established to educate adults in broad areas of the environment.

* The Nature Conservancy, originally the Ecological Society of America, was formed in 1915 with the missions of supporting ecologists and preserving natural ecosystems.

* The 4-H Organization was also established to reach adults by educating youth in areas of new agricultural technology and environmental awareness.

* The Peace Corps, established in 1961, has worked to incorporate adult environmental education and conservation practices into its international programming. Volunteers assist in:

* Environmental education

* Recycling

* Wildlife protection

* Park management

* Alleviating water-borne diseases

* Providing potable water

* Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is a nonprofit water education program and publisher. This program “promotes awareness, appreciation, knowledge and stewardship of water resources through the dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and the establishment of internationally sponsored Project WET programs.” Committed to global water education that is implemented at the community level, the mission of Project WET is to reach children, parents, educators, and communities of the world with water education (Project WET).

* Project WILD is a conservation and environmental education program for educators of students in kindergarten through high school. Project WILD addresses the need for human beings to develop as responsible citizens of our planet. It is based on the fact that young adults and educators have an interest in learning about the natural world (Project WILD).

* Project Learning Tree is a multi-disciplinary environmental education program for educators and students. A program of the American Forest Foundation, PLT meets education standards. The curriculum provides tools needed to bring the environment into the classroom and students into the environment. Topics range from wildlife, water and forests, to community planning, waste management and energy (Project Learning Tree).