Beyond Good Intentions: What Recent Research Tells Environmental Educators About Creating Programs

Beyond Good Intentions: What Recent Research Tells Environmental Educators About Creating Effective Programs

Published Online: May 29, 2025

Written by: Isobel Talks

"Environmental education has reached a critical juncture. While recent research confirms that our programs consistently produce positive outcomes, with success rates exceeding 90% across academic, social, and environmental domains, it also reveals uncomfortable truths about who benefits and how we can do better. For environmental educators committed to meaningful impact, these findings offer both validation and a roadmap for transformation.

The Promise and the Problem

The good news is undeniable: environmental education works. A comprehensive review of 119 studies spanning two decades found that environmental programs reliably improve not just environmental knowledge and attitudes, but also critical thinking, academic achievement, and social skills. This research validates what many educators have long suspected, environmental education's strength lies in its versatility and ability to address multiple learning goals simultaneously. ..."

Read the full article here.