Why Environmental Education is Important
Mainers spend more time indoors than ever before. Often we find ourselves disconnected from nature and the joy that comes from exploring our community. The effects of “nature deficit disorder” are reflected in increasing obesity rates and declining academic scores in youth. Environmental Education provides opportunities for us to learn about how our health is connected to the health of the natural world and how our choices impact our communities and our planet. Environmental Education leads to positive social outcomes generating a stewardship ethic and increasing civic engagement. Powerful culturally competent environmental education learning opportunities for ALL Maine people are essential to building healthy, just, and sustainable Maine communities. Join us in building a stronger environmental education movement!
Environmental education helps.
Environmental education engages learners as they understand how nature works and how humans impact our world. EE is hands-on, interdisciplinary, empowering, and relevant to learners’ everyday lives. It gives us the knowledge and tools we need to be environmentally literate–ready to face environmental and social challenges with confidence and optimism.
Environmental knowledge is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’
There is mounting evidence on the widespread benefits of environmental education, including positive impacts on academic performance, motivation and interest in school, social and emotional skills, and civic interest and engagement (Ardoin et al. 2016).
Environmental education is a win-win–it’s good for our environment and it’s good for kids.