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.
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
This national, online group focuses on nature connection for young people in Aotearoa NZ. We will pilot a Community of Practice approach in 2023, to strengthen learning, networking and actions.
This national, online group focuses on nature connection for young people in Aotearoa NZ. We will pilot a Community of Practice approach in 2023, to strengthen learning, networking and actions.
All people working in the Environmental Education for Sustainability space whether they are teachers in schools or educators working independently, for NGOs or local/central government, are welcome to join this network.
Working with the Auckland Council Sustainable Schools team.
In the Wairarapa we have passionate environmental educators working in schools and communities to empower our rangitahi to develop a sense of awe and a relationship with the natural world, so they are invested in working for a better future.
The Wellington Region Environmental Educators Forum also operates as the Wellington branch, supporting teachers of all levels and environmental education providers in the Wellington region.
Taupō Environmental Education Collaborative was formed in 2017 to bring together Taupō’s environmental education providers so we can provider better services to schools and our community.
Covering the Waikato region from Taupo to the Bombays and out to each coast, we are a diverse and dynamic region containing New Zealand’s longest waterway, as well as volcanic regions, coastal forests, pastoral farming, and extensive urban and rural communities.
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.
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."
A review of the presentations and happenings at our AGM held on 27 April 2023.
A review of the 2021-22 year. This year we have structured the Review to follow the format of Mātauranga Whakauka Taiao: Environmental Education for Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2017-21, to provide a sector report on the first 5 years of the government plan.
Our website continues to be updated with new resources, stories and events. This post is a snapshot of some of the content that has been added recently.
As we move into the cooler months, there are lots of opportunities to engage ākonga with te taiao by celebrating and noticing trees and birds, and reducing our use of plastic in the lead up to the Matariki celebrations in July.
As we move from Raumati | Summer into Ngahuru | Autumn, we can celebrate the changing seasons and notice tohu in the sky, awa and ngahere.
Our website continues to be updated with new resources, stories and events. This post is a snapshot of some of the content that has been added recently.
An update to our full database with details about the upcoming conference in October.
An update to our full database with details about the Term 2 webinar and October conference, June 2022
An update to our full database announcing the new website, conference dates and other upcoming opportunities in EEfS, May 2022.
Review of the period ended 30 June 2021, and also an explanation of our strategy and plans for the future.
An update for members, profiling upcoming opportunities in EEfS, March 2022.
An update for members, profiling upcoming opportunities for EEfS, November 2021.
An update for members, profiling upcoming opportunities in EEfS, October 2021.
The Annual Review of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education 2020.
The Annual Review of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education 2019.
The Annual Review of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education 2018.
The Annual Review of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education 2017.
A review of the presentations and happenings at our AGM held on 27 April 2023.
A review of the 2021-22 year. This year we have structured the Review to follow the format of Mātauranga Whakauka Taiao: Environmental Education for Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2017-21, to provide a sector report on the first 5 years of the government plan.
Our website continues to be updated with new resources, stories and events. This post is a snapshot of some of the content that has been added recently.
As we move into the cooler months, there are lots of opportunities to engage ākonga with te taiao by celebrating and noticing trees and birds, and reducing our use of plastic in the lead up to the Matariki celebrations in July.
As we move from Raumati | Summer into Ngahuru | Autumn, we can celebrate the changing seasons and notice tohu in the sky, awa and ngahere.
Our website continues to be updated with new resources, stories and events. This post is a snapshot of some of the content that has been added recently.
An update to our full database with details about the upcoming conference in October.
An update to our full database with details about the Term 2 webinar and October conference, June 2022
An update to our full database announcing the new website, conference dates and other upcoming opportunities in EEfS, May 2022.
Review of the period ended 30 June 2021, and also an explanation of our strategy and plans for the future.
An update for members, profiling upcoming opportunities in EEfS, March 2022.
The Annual Review of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education 2020.
The Annual Review of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education 2019.
The Annual Review of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education 2018.
The Annual Review of the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education 2017.
An update for members, profiling upcoming opportunities for EEfS, November 2021.
An update for members, profiling upcoming opportunities in EEfS, October 2021.