Our team has led extensive research on environmental education practice, and how to support environmental educators’ work. As part of the Expanding Capacity in Environmental Education (EECapacity) project, we conducted a study of environmental educators' perspectives on their work. This research revealed there are five distinct yet related ways of thinking about the purpose of environmental education. Importantly, these higher purposes conceal the more nuanced and often shared ways of viewing environmental education work, which may only be revealed through closer introspection.

This packet is designed as a starting point for educators to think about their personal perspectives on why they engage in environmental education, and to appreciate the many views held by colleagues. Educators can use these materials to examine their own beliefs in relation to prevailing perspectives in the field. We created this resource so that instructors can also use the handout with educators across the field. Go to the “Full Document” button above to view and download the packet.

This study is related to the following resources:

• Practitioners’ Perspectives on the Purpose of Environmental Education - This peer review paper explains the full details of the Q methodology research on the different ways of environmental education, including the five perspectives revealed in our study.
• US Census-Style Study Reveals the Diversity of a Professional Sector - This peer review paper publishes findings of a nationwide study of people who identify as environmental educators.
• On Representation in Environmental Education - This brief article features Rupu Gupta's discussion with Tania Marien for an espisode of the Talaterra podcast. It also includes a second episode that walks through the card sorting activity found in the packet.

These materials were created as part of the Expanding Capacity in Environmental Education (EECapacity) Project through Assistant Agreement #NT-83497401-0 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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