Thirty years later, we have the same Kaupapa, and it feels more urgent than ever before. The idea of environmental education has grown to include sustainable living and regeneration, and expanded from the school setting to whole communities. And as the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss have moved from an abstract concept to reality, people are realising that the human-centred view of the planet needs changing.
We need to support our young people, and their whānau, to connect with and learn in nature so they can understand how interdependent and interrelated everything in our natural world is. By valuing and loving what the natural world offers we can all be more aware of the impact of our actions upon it.
NZAEE is an Incorporated Society and Registered Charity (CC37847). Our Constitution sets out the way we do things, and we have a National Executive that meets monthly to lead the work of the Association.
That people of Aotearoa are empowered to be in sustainable relationships with the natural environment and each other, to regenerate our world.
We support a community of educators – teachers, programme providers and communities – and keep all ākonga (and their children’s children) at the heart of our mahi.
We want our community of educators to:
Have access to resources and learning opportunities | Capability
Feel connected, informed and inspired anywhere in Aotearoa | Networking
Have a louder, respected and united voice | Advocacy
Co-Chair
Sally teaches science and sustainability education courses in undergraduate and postgraduate teacher education programmes at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. Her research focuses on ways in which teachers and students learn about contentious issues, come to appreciate differing viewpoints, develop emotional resilience, and take informed action both individually and collectively. Sally’s current research is in contexts of declining biodiversity and the climate emergency. PHOTO: Ewen Cameron. "I have chosen the Kumerahou plant, which is found in Tāmaki Makaurau and its bright yellow flowers mark the beginning of spring."
Co-Chair
Robyn joined Enviroschools as Otago Regional Coordinator in 2016. Before this she worked as an outdoor and environmental educator, and has undertaken numerous research projects with a focus on young people’s experiences of learning in outdoor environments. PHOTO Ed Dunens: "I have chosen the Cape Petrel because sea birds need all the help they can get - they need some serious raising of profile - a bit like EEfS and NZAEE!"
National Executive Member, Treasurer
Elspeth is the Education Partnership Lead in the Community Partnerships team of Parks, Sport and Recreation at Wellington City Council. Together with Gill she helped establish the Wellington Region Environmental Educators Forum 7 years ago. In her role Elspeth works closely with a number of Environmental Education providers. Being part of the NZAEE 2018 Conference committee when Wellington hosted the national conference sparked an interest in the role and function of the National Exec. PHOTO: John and Karen Hollingsworth. "I come from a family of Armadillos, which despite their hard exterior are really soft on the inside."
National Executive Member
Chris is Associate Professor Te Kura Toi Tangata, School of Education at the University of Waikato. He teaches environmental and sustainability education (ESE) to pre-service education students and conducts research with postgraduate students and colleagues in many areas of ESE, including most recently climate change education. He is currently also helping to revise the Achievement Standards for ESE for senior secondary schools. PHOTO: "Kawakawa is a humble plant that can fill a space, but also has capacity to react quickly to suitable conditions, and to provide support through sustenance and health to others."
National Executive Member
Annie is a new member to the executive. Annie works with the Marlborough District Council as an education officer and before this role was a primary, intermediate and secondary school teacher. Annie is passionate about helping young people have a voice in environmental education and citizenship. PHOTO: Jon Radoff. "My plant is an unfolding fern because I am learning and growing in this space."
National Executive Member
Nettie joined Whenua Iti in 2016. Before this she held various community and work-related roles with a focus on connecting people to nature and encouraging positive action for local to global environments. PHOTO Johnny Johnson "I have chosen the tui as it can represent people and nature living alongside each other and the beauty of the everyday species that inspire us to take care of all environments"
National Executive Member
Sian works for BLAKE as a Programme Manager for the Discovery Programmes, running the NZ-VR (virtual reality) underwater experiences and BLAKE Explorers in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. She has been involved in environmental education, conservation, and youth leadership since a young age. Prior to BLAKE she worked with Kids Greening Taupō connecting teachers and students of all ages to the local environment through restoration, community events, online resources, teacher professional development and leadership teams. Since 2017 she has been involved with Forest & Bird Youth national executive.Photo: The ngahere is home to so many incredible things.
How the National Executive operates
If you are interested in learning more about the role of the National Executive, please contact one of the current members.
We have summarised our role in this document.
National Manager
Chris is an experienced business communicator and project manager, a trained landscape designer and a community gardener. Her knowledge of the education sector has been gained through Playcentre and Board roles at her daughters' primary school, and environmental education during a contract with Project Crimson. It was at this time she discovered NZAEE and saw the potential for a strong sector group to promote the benefits of sustainability education through all facets of learning. PHOTO: Stuart Yeates. "The Pohutukawa is endemic to the northern half of the North Island, where grew up, but also thrives in Wellington, where I now call home.
Learning and Content Curator
Becky has recently moved to Wānaka with her family and has also lived in Porirua, Ōtepoti and Taranaki. Becky worked as a secondary Science and Biology teacher for nine years and then moved into an environmental education role in Porirua for seven years. She is passionate about supporting people to connect with their local places and environment, and is looking forward to sharing inspirational resources and stories with kaiako across Aotearoa. PHOTO: "The Kōwhai was chosen because I have always planted Kōwhai in our garden, no matter which part of the country I have lived in (having moved around a lot!)."
Administrator
Debbie has worked for NZAEE for 10 years in the role of National Coordinator/Administrator. Prior to this, she included components of environmental education in her teaching and sharing her love of the natural environment with her students. PHOTO: Rosa Stewart. "Grey warbler (riroriro) was chosen because its song reminds me of the warmth of summer."
Capability Sub-Committee member
Advocacy Sub-Committee member
Jocelyn has long been associated with NZAEE since getting into education for sustainability in the year 2000. She was a secondary social sciences teacher for 25 years before jumping ship to join the Youth Engagement & Education team at Environment Canterbury. She was a member of the panel that created the EfS achievement standards and enjoys supporting teachers using them in their learning programmes. She is also a programme facilitator for the Untouched World Foundation, a board member of Blue Cradle and current chair of Christchurch EnviroHub. PHOTO: "I chose a ferret as they’re amazing animals. I can also be a bit of a pest, and enjoy ferreting out interesting things to do!"
Seaweek advisor
Pam joined NZAEE in the 1990s, while working in an education role for Te Papa Atawhai/Department of Conservation. She is a member of the Wellington Conservation Board, Seaweek coordinator for the Wellington Region, and Co Director of the Nature Through Arts Collective: “Arts and science are often seen as two separate strands – but they are both essential for working through complex issues and empowering communities to grow as observers and enact change.” PHOTO: "This ruru sculpture, made by artists Kemi & Niko for the Nature Through Arts Collective, reminds me of the power of play and creativity in connecting children with nature."
Capability Sub-Committee member
Sian has been connected to NZAEE since 2003 when she first started working at Environment Canterbury as an Environmental Educator, and later as the Education and Youth Engagement Team Leader. Previously, she was a primary school teacher, teaching at various North Island schools and overseas. Since 2015, she has been working for herself under her business name ‘Future Curious Limited’, supporting schools, business, NGOs, and local and central government to authentically engage with children and young people, especially around the natural environment and climate change. She also works part-time as a Learning Advisor at the Climate Action Campus in Ōtautahi. PHOTO: "I chose the Silvereye Tauhou as they show great agility and strength for such a small bird, an inspiration for when I feel I am too small to make a difference. And they are just so very, very cute and bring me joy in the garden every single day!”