What is Environmental Literacy?

When the forest is destroyed, when the river is dammed, when the biodiversity is stolen, when fields are waterlogged or turned saline because of economic activities, it is a question of survival for these people. So our environmental movements have been justice movements." - Vandana Shiva, Indian Author and Environmentalist

What is Environmental Literacy?

​At KIPP, we believe that environmental literacy isn't a subject; it's social justice movement.
- All students have a right to the benefits of spending time outdoors.
- All students have a right to a healthy community (clean water, air, natural areas) and sustainable future.
​ - Our students should have the opportunity to set future environmental policy.

But what exactly is environmental literacy?
According to scholars, environmental literacy can be defined as the following:

"Environmental literacy is knowledge of environmental concepts and issues; the attitudinal dispositions, motivation, cognitive abilities, and skills, and the confidence and appropriate behaviors to apply such knowledge in a range of environmental contexts. Individuals demonstrating degrees of environmental literacy are willing to act on goals that improve the-well being of other individuals, societies, and the global environment, and are able to participate in civic life." (Hollweg 2011).

Environmental literacy is more than experience in the outdoors. It's more than scientific knowledge. A student who is environmentally literate has deep awe, respect, and understanding of their local and global environments, as well as the skills, confidence, and desire to improve life for all by fighting for equitable policies that protect and sustain our precious communities and ecosystems. Environmental literacy is our end goal; environmental and outdoor education is our means to get there.
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Want to read more? We recommend starting with these resources gathered for our Task Force.

How can environmental education impact our students’ educational experience?

Main research on environmental and outdoor education is synthesized below. Links to specific research can be found here. All research and text is provided from University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point.

1. School performance increases when children learn outdoors: A number of studies have documented increased school performance through outdoor education. Research has document increased standardized test scores, enhanced attitude about school, improved in-school behavior, improved attendance and overall enhanced student achievement when students learn in and about nature. In addition, outdoor education effectively employs a greater range of children’s intelligences. Many researchers contribute the increase in performance to increased relevance and hands-on experience of learning outdoors.

2. Learning outdoors is healthy: Learning outdoors is active and increases students’ physical, mental and social health. Some studies have even shown follow-up (e.g., non-school) physical activity increases with outdoor learning. Access to nature has also been shown to decrease the symptoms of ADHD. Outdoor learning and access to nature also decrease stress levels of students and teachers.

3. Learning outdoors supports child development: Children greatly benefit developmentally from being outdoors. Outdoor education and play support emotional, behavioral and intellectual development. Studies have shown that students who learn outdoors develop: a sense of self, independence, confidence, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, motor skills, self-discipline and initiative

4. Teaching and learning outdoors is fun: Often, the outdoors provides a change of pace from the classroom, which students and teachers enjoy. Studies have shown increased student enthusiasm for learning outdoors.

5. Learning outdoors helps develop a sense of place and civic attitudes and behaviors: Outdoor experiences help students increase their understanding of their natural and human communities which leads to a sense of place. Through connection to place, students develop stronger environmental attitudes and civic behaviors. Outdoors learning experiences are the foundation of raising the next generation of active citizens who take care of their natural and human communities.

6. Outdoor education engages families and the community: Outdoor learning connects families and the community to the school. Outdoor classrooms provide natural entry points for families and community members to get involved with student learning. The relationships developed through outdoor learning lead to greater parental and community involvement in and support for the school.
   

​Environmental education works. Our students have a right to a public education that builds in time outdoors, strengthens skills needed to solve current and future environmental issues, and amplifies our students' voices to fight against past and present environmental injustices. So, how will KIPP STE work to incorporate outdoor learning and strengthen environmental literacy for all students? Click the link below to learn more about KIPP STE's vision for Environmental Literacy.