Environmental Education

The Office of Environmental education aims to collaboratively engage organizations to support non-formal and formal educators in order to cultivate environmentally literate k-12 graduates across the state of Virginia.

Explore iseeVA, an interactive map and dashboard showcasing Virginia’s environmental education programs, resources, and data.

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Find environmental education providers and programs across Virginia.

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Dive into data layers and insights to inform your outreach, planning or classroom.

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See how iseeVA can transform environmental education statewide and add your own programs to the directory

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Discover the importance of Environmental Education

Awareness and Knowledge:

It combats fear. Fear is often derived from what we are unfamiliar with. Learning about our environment and the creatures in it, can alleviate those fears.
Environmental Education develops critical thinking skills. Students are working to solve a real problem using hand-on investigation.
STEM instruction is strengthened as student problem solvers find ways to help their environment recover or prevent future issues.

Behavior:

It’s exciting! Students get excited about learning when environmental education is the topic. Learner engagement is a huge obstacle in the learning process and the topic of environmental education curves that challenge naturally.
It teaches responsibility. Students connect their actions to the effect on their environment and act in more res
Environmental Education encourages healthy lifestyles as students learn to spend time active outdoors.

Civic Engagement:

Tolerance increases as students learn to live in a way that supports other living things.
Communities are strengthened as we find ways to work together for a common goal.
It exposes students to possible green career pathways.
Environmental Education experiences create a sense of responsibility and conservation for local environment and community.

Footage featured above is from the Oct. 2025 EnviroLearn event at Chippokes State Park.

EnviroLearn: Soil Science - Healthy Soil in Virginia

March 31 - April 2, 2026, at Claytor Lake State Park in Dublin, VA.

EnviroLearn is a no-cost hands-on professional learning experience for Virginia K-12 independent, public and homeschool educators. Apply to attend Soil Science if you are a Virginia K-12 science or agriculture teacher. Dig into 3 days and 2 nights of healthy soil knowledge. Be ready to get muddy, dig in the ground and meet some experts in the field. Expect some paddling, light hiking, soil testing and research. You’ll leave with new equipment for your classroom, funding towards a project, new contacts and great outdoor memories.

Apply Now

Applications are due no later than February 6, 2026. Accepted applicants will be notified the week of February 9-13, 2026.