The UofL Center for Environmental Education is part of a statewide network of environmental education centers located at each state university called Kentucky University Partnership for Environmental Education (KUPEE). This effort fulfills the recommendation as outlined in the Master Plan for Environmental Education in Kentucky.

Financial support has generously been provided to each state university through the Kentucky Environmental Education Council from interest generated from the PRIDE fund (HB 174) as established by the Kentucky General Assembly in the 2000 regular session.

The Center develops, coordinates, implements and documents environmental education programs with a variety of constituencies. Its mission also includes the preparation of both formal and non-formal educators and future leaders and conducting and disseminating research.

The Center works in collaboration with the Center for Environmental Education at Jefferson County Public Schools and Louisville Metro Government through the Partnership for a Green City. It is also affiliated with the Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development at the University of Louisville.

New Environmental Book Recommendations

Check out our new list of books covering environmental topics [PDF] and recommended by members of the surrounding community, including UofL's President Ramsey, JCPS Superintendent, Sheldon Berman, and Kentucky author, Wendell Berry. It includes everything from children's classics, such as The Lorax and standards, such as Silent Spring to significant new work by Bill McKibben (Deep Economy) along with William McDonough and Michael Braungart's Cradle-to-Cradle.

Programs & Degrees

A Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Environmental Education is offered to those individuals who hold a current teaching license. An Environmental Education Endorsement Program is coming soon. The courses below can be applied to either of these options. Coursework in Environmental Education can also be applied to the Rank 1 requirements for area of emphasis credits.

Two courses, Introduction to Environmental Education (EDAP 673-75; class number 10680) and Environmental Education Teaching Methods (EDAP 604-78; class number) will be offered in the Department of Teaching and Learning in U of L's College of Education and Human Development during the fall and spring sessions. Both courses will meet primarily at the Blackacre Nature Preserve and Historic Homestead, 3200 Tucker Station Rd. with a few field trips possible. A few partial scholarships are available.

Students interested in these courses who have not applied to UofL should contact Robin Dorsey at 1-502-852-3210, or rldors01 @ louisville.edu to complete the application procedure. Class information, including the syllabus, will be placed on Blackboard at least one week prior to the start of class. New students will want to register for a UofL student e-mail account and be sure to gain access to Blackboard prior to the start of classes.

Offered in fall of 2008 (August 27 – December 17)

EDAP 673-75: Introduction of Environmental Education (EDAP 673-75; 3 credits) will meet on Wednesday from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. This course is designed to provide an introduction to the philosophical, historical, theoretical, and methodological processes of environmental education and the concept of sustainable development. Consistent with the Tbilisi Declaration of 1977 and NAAEE Guidelines this course will seek to bring about a closer link between educational processes and real life through local issues and the Statement of Environmental Principles adopted by the Partners of the Partnership for a Green City. In addition, foci on environmental justice and personal ability to critically evaluate options and participate in effective, responsible, and active decision making will be made. Participants will be involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of an environmental education project of their choosing.

Offered in spring of 2009

EDAP 604-96: Environmental Education Teaching Methods (EDAP 604-78; 3 credits) will meet on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

This course explores instructional methods and curricular material appropriate for teaching environmental education. It is designed for the development and evaluation of new interdisciplinary teaching materials. EE Teaching Methods is based on the best practices of teaching environmental education as outlined by the Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators (NAAEE, 2004) and will explore methods and strategies including experiential teaching and learning; developing critical thinking skills; using the outdoors as a classroom; EE integration across the curriculum; promoting the understanding of systems, interdependence, and the importance of where one lives; connecting the informal and formal classroom environments; evaluating materials and resources for classroom use and enhance students' capacity for effective, responsible action and decision making. Assignments will include development of a collaborative, interdisciplinary unit plan.

For more information, please contact Teddie Phillipson-Mower at t0phil01@louisville.edu.