Networks and Capacity Building Programs for Environmental and Climate Action Leadership in Schools

Center for Ecoliteracy: The Center for Ecoliteracy is dedicated to cultivating education for sustainable living. They encourage schools to teach and model sustainable practices. The Center for Ecoliteracy leads systems change initiatives, publishes original books and resources, facilitates conferences and professional development, and provides strategic consulting.

Center for Green Schools: The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council works with school decision makers, community volunteers and thought leaders in the public and private sectors to drive progress at the intersection of sustainability, education, public health and the built environment. While they are not a network that schools and districts join, they support a number of pathways that celebrate recognition and bring people together: Green Schools Conference, Green Apple Day of Service, LEED for Schools Rating System, U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools award program.

The Cloud Institute: The mission of The Cloud Institute is to ensure the viability of sustainable communities by leveraging changes in K-12 school systems to prepare young people for the shift toward a sustainable future.  They offer a number of different programs and resources for sustainability education including an Education for Sustainability (EfS) Standards and Framework, Exemplar Curriculum Units and Activities, Online Workshops, and more. 

Children and Nature Network: We are leading a global movement to increase equitable access to nature so that children– and natural places–can thrive.​ ​We ​do this ​by investing in leadership and communities through sharing evidence-based resources, scaling innovative solutions and driving policy change. They host a conference, summit, and leadership network.

Eco-Schools: Eco-Schools is a growing phenomenon, which encourages young people to engage in their environment by allowing them the opportunity to actively protect it. It starts in the classroom, it expands to the school and eventually fosters change in the community at large. They support each school to follow a seven step change process that empowers students and educators to make a positive impact on a sustainable future. Check out Eco-Schools Global and Eco-Schools USA. 

Green Schools Alliance: The mission of the Green Schools Alliance (GSA) is to connect and empower schools worldwide to lead the transformation to a sustainable future. They focus on systems-level innovation through the implementation of the whole-school sustainability framework to embed sustainability into the culture of schools. The GSA community represents more than 9,000 schools, districts, and organizations from 47 U.S. states and 84 countries. To learn more about joining this community, see here. 

Green Schools National Network: The Green Schools National Network (GSNN) works with thought leaders to gather, synthesize, generate, and report evidence-based resources that include practical tools, news, and commentary for the green, healthy, and sustainable schools community. They also provide a community that collaborates with each other to share best practices, advance research, and develop strategies that can ensure that all children graduate as thoughtful and mindful citizens for the future. They host the annual Green Schools Conference in partnership with USGBC's Center for Green Schools.

Green Schoolyards America: Green Schoolyards America supports the transformation of asphalt-covered school grounds into park-like green spaces that improve children’s well-being, learning, and play while contributing to the ecological health and climate resilience of our cities. Their programs support the living school ground movement, build relationships that help it succeed, and work to embed this perspective in our existing institutions and policy and regulatory frameworks.  

Green Schools Initiative (archived website): The Green Schools Initiative was founded in 2004 by parent-environmentalists who were shocked by how un-environmental their kids' schools were and mobilized to improve the environmental health and ecological sustainability of schools in the U.S. They work to catalyze and support "green" actions by kids, teachers, parents, and policymakers to reduce the environmental footprint of schools by: Eliminating toxics, Using resources sustainably, Creating green schoolyards and buildings, Serving healthy food and, Teaching environmental literacy and stewardship. 

Institute for Humane Education: The Institute for Humane Education (IHE) teaches about the interconnected and pressing issues that impact all life – humans, other animals, and the earth we share – and provides individuals of all ages with the tools to be solutionaries for a better world. IHE offers free resources, professional development programs, and more. 

North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE): Hosts an annual conference in the fall; location varies throughout North America. NAAEE has promoted excellence in environmental education throughout North America and the world. We are dedicated to strengthening the field of environmental education and increasing the visibility and efficacy of the profession. NAAEE’s influence stretches across North America and around the world, with members in more than 30 countries. NAAEE and its 54 state, provincial, and regional Affiliate organizations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico have more than 16,000 members.

• California's NAAEE Affiliate is the California Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE)

SEI: SEI is an environmental nonprofit that builds leaders to drive sustainability solutions. For over 20 years, SEI has partnered with schools, communities, and businesses to develop a sustainability leadership pathway from elementary school to early career. Their flagship programs educate and empower students and emerging professionals to create thriving, resilient communities.

Sustainable Schools Project: Shelburne Farms' Sustainable Schools Project is a professional learning model designed to help schools use sustainability as an integrating context for curriculum, community partnerships, and campus practices. They believe that educators are leaders in creating change in schools and communities toward a healthier and more just world.  

Eco-Schools: Eco-Schools is a growing phenomenon, which encourages young people to engage in their environment by allowing them the opportunity to actively protect it. It starts in the classroom, it expands to the school and eventually fosters change in the community at large. They support each school to follow a seven step change process that empowers students and educators to make a positive impact on a sustainable future. Check out Eco-Schools Global and Eco-Schools USA. 

 Environmental Youth Forum: This unique interactive learning experience utilizes film to foster awareness and activism around a range of environmental and global issues, with an emphasis on innovations, solutions, and youth engagement. This 3-day event offers programs for students in grades 1–12 and includes: Film screenings, Discussions with filmmaker guests and subject experts, Live presentations, and Active Cinema Room.

Project Green Schools: Their mission is to develop the next generation of environmental leaders through education, project-based learning and community service. They run the National Green Schools Society (NGSS) Program, which provides a structured, chapter-based program for high-achieving, environmentally focused students to create extraordinary impact in schools, organizations, and communities while getting the recognition they deserve on a state and national level. Student leaders are encouraged to join this great network, and attend the Annual Green Schools Summit. 

Spare the Air Youth: Youth for the Environment and Sustainability (YES). Educating and encouraging Bay Area youth and their families to walk, bicycle, carpool, and take transit.

United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

Livable Schools: This network is local to Nashville only, but serves as a great example of how to scale a network across a region - Livable Schools – a companion program of Livable Nashville – is designed to ensure youth are part of the process, and empower both middle and high school students to help disseminate and bring the plan to life.  

Climate Change Education for All Certificate Courses: This FREE online teacher professional development equips educators, of all subjects and grades, with the knowledge, skills and resources to enable them to confidently incorporate climate change education into their existing curriculum.  Courses are facilitated by instructional leaders with expertise in teaching climate change in schools. Teachers can earn professional development hours, Continuing Education Units, or Graduate Credit.

The Cloud Institute: The Cloud Institute offers a number of capacity building workshops and events, as well as ongoing professional learning in the Cloud Commons. 

Institute for Humane Education: The Institute for Humane Education (IHE) teaches about the interconnected and pressing issues that impact all life – humans, other animals, and the earth we share – and provides individuals of all ages with the tools to be solutionaries for a better world. IHE offers free resources, professional development programs, and more. 

California Environmental Educators Certificate (California Only) : The Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP) draws together stewards and educators of the environment into a structured and effective initiative. Certification is a public declaration that a certain individual meets a stringent level of requirements and has a specific set of skills. The benefit of an established certification process extends to the individual, the public, and the field itself. Having the EECP enhances the legitimacy of the profession by building a uniform foundation in effectively teaching about the environment. Additionally, through participation in the certification program, educators will expand their professional networks, make important connections across the state, and better understand the full spectrum of environmental education careers available.

San Joaquin Teacher's College M.ED. Environmental Literacy: This M.ED. concentration prepares educators who are ready to assume leadership roles in education with particular expertise in Environmental Literacy. Throughout the program, the intersection between peoples, societies, and natural systems, and how to relate within those systems in a humble, sustainable manner are closely examined. Educators learn to develop integrated curricula and learning opportunities that nurture PK-12 students' understanding of the natural world outside the classroom, expand critical thinking skills, and prepare engaged citizens. Graduates have expertise in developing, implementing, and sustaining capacity building plans for an Environmental Literacy program within an organization, such as a school district.