NEEF 2019 Impact
As leaders in lifelong environmental learning, we at the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) are dedicated to advancing environmental education and engagement in the United States. For nearly 30 years, we have worked to cultivate an environmentally conscious and responsible public through K-12 education, health and wellness, and conservation-focused programs, grants, and initiatives.
As this year—and the decade—draws to a close, we’d like to highlight some of our most recent successes and share how thrilled we are to continue our mission of making the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant, and connected to the daily lives of all Americans in 2020 and beyond.
This year saw the advancement of the Greening STEM approach, NEEF’s interdisciplinary and collaborative way to teach STEM subjects that uses the natural environment and real-world challenges to engage learners and deliver high-quality environmental education.
In addition to launching the Greening STEM Hub during Environmental Education Week, NEEF was invited to present the Greening STEM model at the National Science Teaching Association’s STEM Forum & Expo as well as the Bureau of Indian Education’s 50th Annual Convention.
While 2019 marked the conclusion of the EPA-sponsored Hands on the Land mini-grant program, it was also the beginning of our partnership with Samsung and the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® on the Climate Superstars Challenge, an online environmental education program for middle school students.
Teachers throughout the US participated in the Climate Superstars Challenge
NEEF Debuted the Greening STEM Hub
In 2019, NEEF continued our work of focusing on environmental health concerns and benefits by providing training and resources for healthcare professionals on environmental management to improve patient outcomes.
Our partnership with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) to educate nurses on environmental triggers for pediatric asthma proved so popular, we are currently adapting the guidelines into a more-accessible e-learning format.
NEEF has also partnered with Cerner Corporation, one of the largest suppliers in the US of health information technology solutions, services, devices, and hardware, to integrate NEEF's Environmental History Form into its electronic medical record database. This year, Cerner reported that 28 hospitals in the U.S., Canada, and Australia accessed the Environmental History Form, further increasing its impact.
“ASTHMA-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS” course set 2019 viewership record for National Association of School Nurses
NEEF helped launch the first Nature Explore Classroom at Florida Hospital
With the unprecedented success of this year’s National Public Lands Day (NPLD), 2019 was a banner year for public land conservation. On September 28, over 156,000 volunteers pitched in at thousands of sites all across the country, and national corporate sponsor Toyota North America hosted two dozen additional volunteer events that same day for employees and their families.
In addition, NEEF introduced the NPLD Highlighted Site program, providing 30 sites with a custom sponsorship package and mini-grant to help with their NPLD events.
Finally, we also signed agreements to help bring future NPLD events to all city, county, and state parks managed by both Tennessee and Virginia State Parks systems.
26th Annual National Public Lands Day Drew Record Numbers
NEEF and Aquarium Conservation Partnership Joined Forces to Fight Plastic Pollution
Thanks to support from our partners, NEEF awarded almost $700,000 in grants for conservation, health, and education efforts across the country.
Programs included partnering with the Department of Defense to strengthen environmental and cultural resource enhancement activities at 13 military installation sites, a joint effort with the US Forest Service to fund outdoor learning projects in diverse communities that teach the mental and physical benefits of nature, and support from Toyota to help restore biodiversity and protect critical habitats in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.
This year also saw the completion of projects from 2018’s Restoration & Resilience grantees, which we hope will continue to have a positive impact on local communities and public lands for years to come.
NEEF Grant Site Earned Official Protected Status
