The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) is a left-of-center Washington, D.C.-based organization founded in 1971 that has established itself as the primary professional association for environmental educators across North America. ¹The organization operates with significant federal government funding, particularly through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), receiving an $11 million cooperative agreement in 2021 and a prior $10.8 million agreement in 2017. ²

NAAEE’s influence extends internationally, with members in over 30 countries and a network of 54 affiliate organizations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico representing more than 16,000 members. ³

Organizational History and Structure

North American Association for Environmental Education began as the National Association for Environmental Education in 1971 but expanded its scope to reflect its cross-border reach. The organization is led by executive director Judy Braus, who assumed the position in December 2011 after holding senior roles at the National Audubon Society, the World Wildlife Fund, and the National Wildlife Federation.  ⁴

The organization claims to use “the power of education to advance environmental literacy and civic engagement to create a more equitable and sustainable future.” Its vision calls for “a just and sustainable world where environmental and social responsibility drive individual, institutional, and community choices.” ⁵

Federal Funding and Financial Operations

North American Association for Environmental Education has received substantial federal funding primarily through Environmental Protection Agency cooperative agreements. In January 2021, EPA awarded NAAEE an $11 million cooperative agreement over five years to develop and manage the National Environmental Education Training Program. ²

This followed a previous $10.8 million EPA cooperative agreement from 2017 for similar purposes. These federal grants specifically claim to train environmental educators, increase the distribution of quality materials, improve non-formal education programs, and enhance coordination among environmental education organizations. ²

According to NAAEE’s 2022 annual report, the organization received $5,601,078 in total grants from government and private sources, which represented the largest portion of its $8,574,971 total revenue for that year. Other revenue sources included conference sponsorships ($118,140), membership dues ($106,755), and private grants and general donations ($2,133,552). ⁶

Programs

North American Association for Environmental Education operates several signature programs that advance environmental education. The organization’s “ee360” program, launched in 2017 with Environmental Protection Agency funding, aims to train thousands of environmental educators annually through partnerships with universities and federal agencies. The Natural Start Alliance, operated as a project of NAAEE, focuses specifically on connecting young children with nature. ⁷

NAAEE also operates the EE 30 Under 30 program, recognizes young leaders in environmental education, and maintains eePRO, an online professional development platform for educators. The organization hosts an annual conference and research symposium that serves as a primary gathering for environmental education professionals. ⁷

The organization actively advocates federal funding of environmental education programs. In 2025, NAAEE endorsed $12 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2026, representing a $3.3 million increase. The organization supports funding for the National Environmental Education Act administered through EPA’s Office of Environmental Education. ⁸NAAEE has taken public positions on federal budget issues, opposing what it characterizes as “deep federal budget and workforce cuts” affecting environmental agencies. ⁹The organization has called on the U.S. Congress to restore funding for EPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Department of Interior, and the U.S. Department of Education. ⁹

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2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “EPA Awards $11 Million Cooperative Agreement for National Environmental Education Training Program.” News Release, January 15, 2021. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-awards-11-million-cooperative-agreement-national-environmental-education-training.
3. North American Association for Environmental Education. “North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).” LinkedIn. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/company/naaee/.
4. Braus, J. “J Braus.” LinkedIn. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbraus1/. (linkedin.com)
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6. North American Association for Environmental Education. 2024. NAAEE Annual Report 2022. Washington, DC: NAAEE. PDF file. https://cdn.naaee.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/NAAEE-Annual-Report-2022-Final-Acc.pdf.
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “EPA Awards $10.8M for National Environmental Education Training Program.” EPA Newsroom, October 20, 2016. https://www.epa.gov/archive/epa/newsreleases/epa-awards-108m-national-environmental-education-training-program.html.
8. North American Association for Environmental Education. “Current Issues.” NAAEE, accessed June 30, 2025. https://naaee.org/programs/ee-policy/current-issues.
9. North American Association for Environmental Education. “Deep Federal Budget and Workforce Cuts Jeopardize Our Nation’s Future.” Press Room, March 19, 2025. https://naaee.org/news/press-room/deep-federal-budget-and-workforce-cuts-jeopardize-our-nations-future.