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Environmental Education (EE) Guidelines

The Environmental Education (EE) Guidelines were produced by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) with support from EPA.
 
Most of these guidelines are available to download from EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)(1-800-490-9198). For those publications that are available to download, direct links to those publications are provided below. Note that NSCEP may also have some hard copies available.  If you are looking for hard copies and NSCEP no longer has copies, contact NAAEE directly.
 

EE Guidelines

Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence 

How the Guidelines Ensure Quality EE

Leading the Way to Environmental Literacy and Quality: National Guidelines for EEExit EPA’s website.

This article discusses how the guidelines ensure that materials, programs, and practitioners are of the highest possible quality.

Produced by the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP).

Guidelines to help environmental educators who work with young children, especially ages 3 to 6, develop quality programs.

Available from NAAEE.

EE Materials: Guidelines for Excellence 

Guidelines for developing and evaluating EE materials.

  • Download from EPA NSCEP

Materiales de Educacion Ambiental: Pautas para la Excelencia (Spanish) (171-B-07-001)

  • Download from EPA NSCEP

EE Materials: Guidelines for Excellence — The Workbook

A self-guided workbook that teaches individuals how to effectively use the materials guidelines.

  • Download from EPA NSCEP

Excellence in EE — Guidelines for Learning (K-12)

Guidelines for learner performance and achievements in K-4th, 5-8th, and 9-12th grades and for using EE as a means for meeting standards set by the traditional disciplines.

  • Download from EPA NSCEP

Excellence in E -- Guidelines for Learning (K-12); Executive Summary & Self Assessment Tool 

Summarizes the learner guidelines and provides a self-assessment checklist for determining the degree to which curricula and programs meet these guidelines.
Available from NAAEE.

Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators

Guidelines for what educators need to know to effectively teach EE.

  • Download from EPA NSCEP

Nonformal EE Programs: Guidelines for Excellence (EPA 171-B-04-001)

Guidelines for developing and administering quality EE programs that take place outside the classroom in nonformal settings, for example, state and national parks and forests, zoos, museums, and nature centers.
  • Download from EPA NSCEP

Programas De Educacion Ambiental No Formal: Pautas Para La Excelencia (Spanish) (171-B-05-001)

  • Download from EPA NSCEP

Education

  • Learn About Environmental Education
    • Guidelines
  • National Environmental Education Advisory Council (NEEAC)
  • National Environmental Education Training Program
  • Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators
  • President's Environmental Youth Award
  • Environmental Education (EE) Grants
Contact Us about Environmental Education
Contact Us about Environmental Education
Contact Us about Environmental Education to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on July 14, 2025
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