The White House Summit on Environmental Education on April 16, 2012 brought together stakeholders both old and new to discuss an emerging vision for environmental education in the 21st century. Panelists and participants addressed the challenges of environmental education in an increasingly technology-driven world and the role of environmental education in adapting to these changes. Federal government panelists discussed the role of the federal government in environmental education, particularly in supporting and connecting potential partners, activities and goals. Summit participants proposed bold new steps for all organizations to ensure that environmental education fosters lifelong environmental stewardship from "K through Grey."

Summit Materials & Notes

Notes from the breakout sessions (transcribed directly from the sticky notes and flip charts used during the summit), Einstein fellows response and the summit agenda.

Summary of Panel Discussions

Panel 1: 21st Century Environmentalism- Shaping the Emerging Vision for Environmental Education Moderated by Dr. Marsha McNutt, Director of the USGS, panelists Pat Pineda (Toyota), Judy Braus (North American Association for Environmental Education), Andrew Rotherham (Time), Brigid Howe (Girl Scouts), and Charles Saylan (Ocean Conservation Society) & Dan Blumstein (UCLA),the co-authors of The Failure of Environmental Education, discussed 21st century environmentalism, particularly emerging issues and how environmental education can be responsive to changes in the future.

Panel 2: Innovators in Environmental Education  Moderated by Dr. Ann Bartuska, Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education & Economics at the USDA, discussed innovation in environmental education. NASCAR's Mike Lynch described NASCAR Green's biggest challenges in environmental education and how NASCAR has worked to make environmental issues relevant to their fans by focusing on the environmental issues people care about.

Panel 3: Federal Government as a Convener and Catalyst - Supporting and Connecting Environmental Education Partners, Activities and Goals  Moderated by Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe (EPA), panelists Jonathan Jarvis (National Park Service), Michael Feder (OSTP), John McGrath (Department of Education), Dr. Michelle Fox (Department of Energy), and Dr. Ericka Reid (NIEHS) discussed the role of the federal government in environmental education, particularly in supporting and connecting potential partners, activities and goals.

Videos and Photos

Watch videos from the summit.The following links exit the site Exit

• Opening remarks
• Part 1
• Part 2
• Closing sessions

An Einstein fellow summarizes a breakout session

An Einstein fellow summarizes her breakout session

Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan addresses the WH Summit on EE

Dept of Interior Deputy Secretary David Hayes addresses the WH Summit on EE

White House Senior Official Jon Carson welcomes participants to the WH Summit on EE

EPA DA Bob Perciasepe moderates a panel

EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe addresses the WH Summit on EE

EPAR Region 1 Administrator Curt Spalding moderates the breakout session 

National Park Service's Jonathan Jarvis participates on a panel

Richard Louv gives the closing keynote speech

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and some of the 2012 PEYA winners

SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns addresses the summit

Congressman Sarbanes gives remarks to the WH Summit on EE

EPA Administrator Jackson addresses the WH Summit on EE

Dr. Marsha McNutt of USGS moderates a panel

Congressman Sarbanes gives remarks to the WH Summit on EE