Frequently Asked Questions

What is National Environmental Education Week?
National Environmental Education Week is the largest organized environmental education event in the United States.  It promotes understanding and protection of the natural world by actively engaging K-12th grade students and educators in an inspired week of environmental learning before Earth Day. 

Partnership in National Environmental Education Week is open to anyone who works with children in a school, nature center, park, zoo, museum, aquarium, or other educational setting.  Click here to register as a partner.

When will the next Environmental Education Week be held?
The next Environmental Education Week will be held from April 12 - 18, 2009.  Click here to register as a partner.

What is Environmental Education Week's impact?
The goal of Environmental Education Week is to increase the number of environmental education hours that K-12th grade students receive in both formal and non-formal educational settings.  In 2008, over 1,850 schools and non-formal educational institutions across the country organized Environmental Education Week events.  Collectively these organizations served millions of students with environmentally-themed lessons and activities that positively impacted the environment and encouraged environmental stewardship among young people.  Hear what our partners have to say about National Environmental Education Week.

Who can partner in Environmental Education Week?
Any formal or non-formal educational institution or organization that works with K-12th grade students is eligible for partnership in National Environmental Education Week.  EE Week attracts a diverse group of partners--from traditional public, private, and homeschools, to nature centers, parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, and even individuals with a passion for bringing environmental education to youth. Click here for a list of some of our past and present partners.

What are the benefits to partnership in Environmental Education Week?
As partners in Environmental Education Week educators have access to free standards-based environmental education lessons and activities; monthly electronic newsletters that highlight the latest EE curricula, programs, and funding sources; opportunities for online communication with educators from across the country in the form of an online EE Week Photo Blog; and promotional assistance to local media outlets.  Click here for a sample of some of our Climate Change resources from EE Week 2008.

I want to host a National Environmental Education Week event, but due to scheduling difficulties (spring break, testing, etc.), our activities have to fall outside of EE Week.  Is this a problem?
National Environmental Education Week recognizes that educators and students have very busy schedules, particularly in the spring when EE Week happens.  Therefore, we do accept registrations for events outside of EE Week, though we strongly encourage events to be held during the month of April in order to demonstrate our collective efforts.  Of course, we always encourage our partners to make environmental education a year-round activity, and the EE Week website has resources available twelve months a year for that purpose.

Is there any cost to participating in National Environmental Education Week?
No. Registration to be a partner in Environmental Education Week is free.  Depending on the size and scope of an EE Week event, partners may expect to incur at least some cost to implement their events.  For instance, a school-wide event (such as an environmental expo or a field trip) may cost more than environmental lessons that are coordinated in a single classroom.  The EE Week website offers a wealth of information for coordinating EE Week events, including free curricula and lesson plans as well as information on funding resources.   

What kinds of events qualify me for partnership?
National Environmental Education Week events are as diverse as our partners, who range from local schools (public, private, homeschool, charter), to non-formal educational institutions (nature centers, zoos, museums, aquaria, scout troops, and community organizations), as well as larger non-profit organizations.

If you are a representative of a formal or non-formal educational institution the best way to participate in Environmental Education Week is to complete the online registration form.  The form will ask you to describe how you will be partnering in EE Week, including what educational activities you may have planned.  In the past, EE Week events have included studies of local wildlife habitats, tree-plantings, construction of artificial reefs for marine habitats, and the completion of energy audits in schools, but you can choose your events according to the needs of your classroom.   

If you are a representative of a larger educational non-profit, you most likely do not coordinate on-the-ground activities for K-12th grade students.  You can still sign on as a national partner, however, by completing the same online registration form.  In your case, instead of coordinating on-the-ground activities you are simply committing your institution to promoting Environmental Education Week to your networks, for instance via announcements in newsletters or on your website, or at upcoming educational conferences.

If you have any questions about whether or not your event qualifies you for partnership, please email the EE Week coordinator or call 202-261-6484.

How do I register as a partner?
Complete the online registration form (it's free and only takes about five minutes).

Who coordinates National Environmental Education Week?
EE Week is made possible by Canon.  It is coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation, a congressionally-charted independent non-profit that provides objective environmental information to help Americans live better every day.  At a time of conflicting and challenging messages about the state of our environment, NEEF provides trusted knowledge, resources, and opportunities to improve our lives and the health of our planet.

How can I learn more about Environmental Education Week?
Browse the website or contact the EE Week Coordinator (EEWeek@neefusa.org or 202-261-6484).