There is an on-going need to maintain a high level of integrity and credibility when it comes to environmental education programmatic content and delivery. The quality of materials or other educational resources is inherently affected by the skill level of the educator who is using them.  Some Colorado environmental education providers have a great deal of training and expertise, while other practitioners have additional professional development needs.

CAEE’s commitment to quality has created demand and enthusiasm for certification of environmental educators in Colorado. From 2002-2005, CAEE focused on developing and implementing the EE Resource Review program which assesses the quality of programmatic content, and now recognizes the need and demand to develop a complementary certification program to define standards of professionalism and proficiency for how environmental education is provided.

In 2005, at the request of EE leaders in Colorado, CAEE began the first steps toward certification by developing state-level provider guidelines based on similar ones in Utah and Montana, on NAAEE’s draft NCATE standards and on NAAEE’s Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Education.  This project introduced the idea of professional guidelines and certification, assessed the level of interest and need in the Colorado EE community, and created momentum for further action.  The Guidelines for Environmental Educators in Colorado were developed by a dedicated, diverse group; and a comment period culminated with an Advisory Council meeting of EE leaders focused on the draft guidelines.  More than 50 people were involved in the comment period. In 2005, more than 110 people were trained in the Colorado provider guidelines.  Of those who filled out evaluations, more than 50% agreed that they plan on becoming certified when a program is in place.

This solid foundation helped the Colorado EE community take the next step and develop the Guidelines into an active certification program to set specific standards of knowledge, skills and experience highly qualified environmental educators should be able to demonstrate.  In September 2006, a call for committee members met with responses from more than 50 people who wanted to be actively involved in developing a certification program for environmental educators.  The many diverse perspectives represented are critical to the value and strength of the program.

The committee examined documents from the certification programs in Utah, Kentucky, Texas and North Carolina. The draft accreditation document from NAAEE was used as well to ensure that Colorado’s program would be a part of the national system. Click here to see these documents and other existing resources on certification.

A successful program will be developed by the leaders in Colorado’s EE community through a consensus approach.  Your comments are invited and encouraged so that every environmental educator in Colorado is proud to be a part of this program.  Please contact CAEE at 303-273-9527 or email.

This program is made possible through a grant from the North American Association for  Environmental Education, funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Education under agreement number NT-83272501-0 between the U.S. EPA and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 

The content of this website do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, or the North American Association for  Environmental Education nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.