There’s a saying: If you don’t have a map, how do you know where you’re going—or when you’ve arrived?

Since the beginning of the environmental education movement over fifty years ago, the goal has remained steady: to create a community of environmentally literate people. While there have been many advances—and many setbacks—one thing is clear: we need a shared roadmap to guide our efforts and measure our progress.

That roadmap is the New Hampshire Environmental Literacy Plan (NHELP).

Looking Back: Where We’ve Been

The current NHELP, created in 2012 and updated in 2016, laid a strong foundation. It opened the doors for outdoor learning through programs like the NHEE’d to Get Outside grant program, supported the adoption of Next Generation Science Standards, and fostered partnerships across the state.

Last October, 100 third graders from Broken Ground School in Concord visited Squam Lakes Natural Science Center for the Creatures of the Night program.
Their teacher shared: “The countless exhibits, hands-on learning experiences, and play-based structures throughout the science center are instrumental to building environmental literacy in our young students. Many of them have already started writing narrative stories about their experience during writing time! They have made connections during our read alouds—such as what a mink is, the smell of a fox, and how the otters play. The trip also helped build an appreciation and awareness of environmental concerns. I heard a student educating another on saving water by turning off the sinks today! They had read about it at the science center.”
This was made possible through the NHEE’d to Get Outside Grant—helping students build knowledge, appreciation, and action for the natural world. 🌱🦦🌍

But significant parts of the plan remain unimplemented due to challenges such as the pandemic, limited funding, and lack of political traction. At NHEE’s 2024 Annual Meeting, educators asked a clear question: Why haven’t we updated the plan yet? They shared that a strong, current plan could help them advocate for outdoor learning in their schools and communities.

We’ve heard that call—and we’re taking action.

Listening to the Community

In 2025, NHEE launched a broad engagement process to shape the future of the ELP. Here’s what we’ve learned so far:

🔹 People believe in the core focus areas—but want improvements.
Environmental Literacy Standards, Community Connections, and Funding & Support were the most strongly supported existing focus areas. Assessment received mixed feedback, indicating the need for clarity or reimagining.

🔹 Equity and access are top priorities.
The most supported goals were ensuring every child has a meaningful outdoor learning experience every year, improving access to environmental and outdoor education for all, and advancing deep, hands-on learning experiences.

🔹 People want action and integration.
Respondents emphasized embedding environmental literacy across the K–12 curriculum—not as an add-on, but through systemic support, teacher training, and community partnerships. They also want environmental learning to start early and connect with career pathways, greening initiatives, and place-based professional development.

🔹 Key audiences to reach.
Teachers, students, and administrators topped the list. Informal educators, community members, and statewide networks were also seen as essential to success.

Why This Matters Now

We live in a time of rapid change, where decisions about energy, sustainability, and community well-being must be made at both individual and collective levels. A renewed Environmental Literacy Plan can:

  • Inspire a shared vision for advancing environmental education in NH

  • Equip educators and partners with tools to advocate for meaningful, equitable learning opportunities

  • Strengthen partnerships among schools, community organizations, agencies, and families

  • Catalyze long-term systems change across education and environmental sectors

By gathering community input and aligning efforts around bold, actionable strategies, this plan can set the course for the next decade of environmental literacy in New Hampshire.

The Road Ahead

The NHELP Action Team first met on January 13, 2025, and has continued monthly. NHEE members were surveyed in June, and stakeholder interviews are underway through August and September. Invitations to the NH Environmental Literacy Summit went out in mid-September, and on November 12, 2025, we’ll bring together educators, administrators, parents, nonprofits, business leaders, outdoor organizations, and policymakers at the NH Audubon McLane Center in Concord.

The Summit is intentionally invitation-only to ensure balanced representation and meaningful dialogue. It will be a critical step in creating an actionable roadmap for the future.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at info@nhee.org.

Be Part of the Change

Sponsors make this important work possible. Organizations and individuals who support the Summit will be acknowledged:

  • At the event itself

  • In post-event press materials

  • In the published version of the updated Environmental Literacy Plan

Your support helps ensure that the voices of educators, families, and communities across New Hampshire are heard in shaping a more sustainable, environmentally literate future.