On February 14, the PA Association of Environmental Educators urge educators to take action in response to new federal directives impacting environmental education programs.

PAEE also encouraged educators to fill out the North America Association for Environmental Education’s anonymous survey gathering insights on the impacts of these changes.

"Recent directives related to U.S. federal grants and funding are creating uncertainty and hardships for many organizations and communities dedicated to environmental education and related fields.

"These changes impact a broad network of people—including federal employees, government partners, nonprofits, and community-based organizations—that provide essential services in education, health, food security, and environmental protection.

“To better understand how these policy changes are affecting you, our national partners, the North America Association for Environmental Education and the NAAEE Affiliate Network, are gathering insights from professionals across our network.

“Please take a few minutes to complete this brief, anonymous survey. Your input will help us inform policymakers and the broader community about the real-world consequences of these shifts.”

Click Here to take the survey.

Local Action

Beyond the survey, there are many ways to take action and support environmental education and community well-being--

-- Engage with elected representatives. Meet with them locally or in D.C., attend town halls, and share your expertise. Your firsthand knowledge is invaluable in shaping informed policies.

-- Amplify your voice. Write opinion pieces, blog posts, or articles about the impact of your work. Personal stories influence public understanding and policy decisions.

-- Strengthen community ties. Talk with colleagues, family members, neighbors, and local leaders about the importance of education and environmental initiatives, and how the loss of federal support affects you and the audiences you serve. Collaboration leads to stronger support and solutions.

-- Stay involved. Participate in professional networks and initiatives that drive positive change. Your engagement fuels progress and inspires others.

-- Keep doing what you do best. In times of uncertainty, educators and community leaders provide stability, inspiration, and opportunities for growth. Your work enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

-- Connect people to nature. We all benefit—physically, mentally, and emotionally—from time spent outdoors. Encouraging connections to nature strengthens both individuals and communities.

Your dedication strengthens communities, protects our environment, and empowers future generations.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences, advocate for what matters, and keep moving our field forward.

For more information on programs, initiatives, resources and other upcoming events, visit the PA Association of Environmental Educators website.  Click Here to sign up for the PAEE newsletter (bottom of page, left).  Click Here to become a member.  Click Here to support PAEE’s work.

The PAEE will hold its 2025 Annual Conference March 10-12 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie.  The theme is - Waves Of Connection.

NewsClips - Freeze:

-- AP: Federal Appeals Court Won’t Halt Judge’s Order Requiring President To Unfreeze All Federal Cash

-- AP: White House Says Federal Judges Going Against President’s Actions Are Provoking A ‘Constitutional Crisis’

-- CNN: Billions In Federal Funding Remain Frozen Despite Federal Court Orders To Keep The Taps Open

-- NYT: EPA Still Has Grants Frozen Despite 2 Federal Court Orders To End The Freeze 

-- Grist: President’s Push For ‘Efficiency’ May Destroy The EPA; What Does That Mean For You?

-- Bloomberg: EPA Seeking To Claw Back $20 Billion In Awards From Federal Climate Law

-- The Hill: EPA Fires 388 Probationary Employees

-- EPA Places 171 DEIA And Environmental Justice Employees On Administrative Leave

-- Reuters: Sweeping US Dept. Of Energy Layoffs Of Up To 2,000 Hit Nuclear Weapons, Radiation Waste Sites, Funding Offices, Hydro Plants, National Labs

-- The Hill: Dept. Of The Interior Fires 2,300 Employees Who Were On Probationary Status

-- Politico: US Forest Service Fires 3,400 Probationary Employees After ‘Deferred Resignation’ Deadline Passes

-- Bloomberg: President’s Hiring Freeze Throws Wildfire Fighters Into Disarray

Related Articles:

-- Gov. Shapiro Files Lawsuit Challenging President's Unconstitutional Federal Funding Freeze In Order to Protect PA Interests; Mine Reclamation, Conventional Well Plugging, Many Other Funds At Risk  [PaEN] 

-- PennLive: Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday OKs Shapiro Lawsuit On Federal Funding Freeze

-- Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Includes Energy Plan; Funding To Make-up Deficit In Oil & Gas Program; New State Park, Trail Initiative; Over $6.2 Billion In Federal Funding At Risk For DEP, DCNR, PennVEST  [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Educators Urge Action In Response To New Federal Directives Impacting Environmental Education; Take National Survey Gathering Insights From Educators  [PaEN]

-- Appalachian Voices: Tell Congress To Preserve Federal Funding For Rural Communities  [PaEN]

-- Appalachian Voices: Abandoned Mine Cleanup Disrupted By Ongoing Freeze In Federal Funding [Defying Court Orders] [PaEN]

-- National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: Continuing Federal Funding Freeze Hurting Farmers-- Honor Legal Obligations  [PaEN]

-- Natural Resources Defense Council: Federal Freeze On Solar For All Grant Leaves Pennsylvania In The Dark [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- LancasterOnline/WITF: President Freezes Rural Energy For America Grant Program Reimbursements, Farmers Hurt

-- WHYY: President’s Funding Freeze Could Leave Communities On Their Own As Climate Threats Grow

-- TribLive: Butler County Federal Storage Facility In An Old Mine In Spotlight After Musk Mention

-- PittsburghUnionProgress.com: President Takes Another Step To Stop Plan To Building Electric Vehicle Charging Sites

-- The Allegheny Front: What President’s Halt Of $5 Billion EV Charging Program Could Mean For PA

-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: PA Climate Programs Hit By Federal Spending Freeze, Governor Says In Lawsuit vs. President

-- PennLive: Confusion Over President’s Plan To Cut Budget, Cull Federal Workers Spreads To Central PA

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Nonprofits, States Scramble As President Pauses Funding For Many Chesapeake Bay Restoration Programs

-- PublicNewsService.com: PA Replacing Lead Water Pipes To Ensure Safe Drinking Water  [Note: This funding is under review as a result of President’s Executive Order.]

-- Post-Gazette: Illinois Governor Delays $1.2 Billion Great Lakes Invasive Carp Project Over Concerns President Won’t Cover Federal Share

[Posted: February 14, 2025]

2/17/2025