Education Content for Sustainability
Some Education for Sustainability content is typically present in existing curriculum. As with any well-managed effort it is helpful to conduct an audit to identify what’s already happening, define an ultimate vision, and identify the gaps. Then you can develop a plan to fill in the gaps. An EfS framework can guide the effort. Consider:
- The Cloud Institute core content areas
- The Education for Sustainability (EfS) standards
from the US Partnership for Sustainability Education - The Environmental Literacy Strands detailed in Chapter 3 of the Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan: Toward a Sustainable Future
Two U.S. states have adopted education standards for sustainability
- Vermont: Vermont Education for Sustainability
- Washington: Education for Environment and Sustainability (EES) Program;
Media: Journals, Listservs, Publications, Social Networking
Journal of Education for Sustainable Development
Peer-reviewed international journal, published twice per year. The scope of content covers all fields of formal and nonformal ESD.
LISTSERV: Sustainability Education for K-12
National Education for Sustainability LISTSERV for K-12 educators, coordinated by the K-12 and Teacher Education sector of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development. There are two ways to join the LISTSERV:
- Go to their website and join
- Send an email message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the word "subscribe" in the subject line of your message
LISTSERV: K-12 Systems Dynamics
Forum for people interested in using system dynamics and systems thinking in K-12 education can connect, hosted by the Creative Learning Exchange.
Rethinking Schools
National publisher of educational materials
Washington State Sustainability Education social networking NING site
A professional learning community for P-20 educators
Organizations, Programs and Partnerships
Center for Ecoliteracy
Non-profit organization based in California
Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education
Non-profit organization based in New York
E3 Washington, Education for Sustainable Communities
Washington State program coordinated by the Environmental Education Assoc. of Washington
Environmental Education Association of Oregon
Facing the Future
Seattle-based national educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage students in learning
Portland State University, Graduate School of Education
Sustainability education resources
Putnam/North Westchester BOCES in New York State
Education for Sustainability Curriculum project
Rethinking Schools
National publisher of educational materials
Shelburne Farms
Society for Organizational Learning (SoL) Education Partnership
The SoL Ed Partnership is grounded in four operating frameworks: Education for Sustainability, Organizational learning, Systems Thinking, and Youth Engagement.
Sustainable Education Website - Australia
Sustainable Education Website of the Australian Government, Dept. of Sustainability, Environment, water, Population and Communities
U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
K-12 and Teacher Education Sector Team
Vermont Education for Sustainability
Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Education for Environment and Sustainability Program
Systems Thinking
Creative Learning Exchange
Systems dynamics and systems thinking in K-12 Education
Systems Thinking in Schools: Waters Foundation
Website with a wealth of information and resources
Tools and Resources
Education for Sustainability K-12 Student Learning Standards, Version 3
Education for Sustainability (EfS) standards
developed by the K-12 and Teacher Education Sector Team of the US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development.
Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit
Guidelines for Excellence
Guidelines for formal and non-formal environmental education and education materials, developed by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)
Guidelines for Excellence Blog
Report: Education for Sustainable Development in the USA
A report submitted to the International Alliance of Leading Education Institutes
Released August 2009
State Environmental Literacy Plans
Developing a State Environmental Literacy Plan
Oregon’s Environmental Literacy Plan
Washington State Plan