The Importance Of Environmental Education?

Environmental education has origins that date back to 1900’s as nature studies submerged participants in understanding wild places and the plants or animals that are found outside (Krasny and Monroe, 2015). As humans made greater impacts on the land and new environmental problems were created, the concept of environmental education changed in response to these new conditions. Often, audiences experienced nature by traveling outside communities to stereotypic wild lands. Recently, urban environmental education surfaced as a new approach to sharing nature with audiences--helping create meaningful experiences in nature by finding a greater value in urban areas as natural areas (Russ, 2015). There are many similarities and differences between the

Governments may have a greater role in environmental education needs due to funding constraints and education curriculum standards

Community needs impact education needs

Multiple community organizations empower diverse educators that deliver urban environmental education and they have a greater focus on urban issues like community building and city planning

The importance of environmental education is a significant constant since the 1960’s--whether it be a more traditional environmental education approach or a more dynamic urban environmental education approach. Both approaches have value, strengths and importance. I believe there are similar reasons in why we need to think about the differences of these approaches and in why we have to understand both approaches

In fact, I was reading one article in a quiet room where there were other people and I kept making “aha” noises getting their quick attention! The concept of civic ecology was interesting--pairing civic groups with different community projects like greening, gardening or ecosystem restoration (Russ, 2015). These projects also build a sense of community and collaboration amongst members which might be even more important that the projects themselves. Another concept that echoed in my mind was the focus on cities having an environmental appeal and value that extends beyond what I originally imagined. I did not grow up in an urban area; therefore, when I image nature, I picture Glacier National Park--more desolate, wild areas. There is much to appreciate in regards to urban areas have pockets of green spaces that further develop a sense of place in those that visit them. Russ (2015) found researchers suggesting that “urban environmental education builds an understanding of cities as complex systems that blend nature and culture, and ecology and society” (as cited in Williams & Agyeman, 1999, p. 29). Lastly, I truly connected with the importance placed on combining natural, economic and social systems as an approach to urban environmental education and building environmental literacy. Russ (2015) writes, “this knowledge prepares young scientists for meaningful problem identification and