About MAEOE
Founded in 1985, the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) is a 501 (c) 3, nonprofit educational association that serves teachers, natural resource managers, nature center staff and environmental program managers with dynamic training programs, workshops, conferences, awards programs, networking opportunities, publications, and related materials and resources. The organization supports environmental educators throughout the state as they work to create and improve awareness and change behavior among Maryland’s schools and communities. MAEOE encourages, engages and empowers the community to understand, responsibly use and promote the natural world.
MAEOE manages and operates the Maryland Green Schools and Green Center Programs. Currently, 450 schools and 38 centers participate involving and engaging approximately 200,000 students, teachers, parents and the communities in which they live, work and play. Training is provided to Green Centers and Green Leaders to support teachers and students in successfully implementing sustainable practices including planting and increasing riparian buffer zones, recycling and reducing school waste, identifying cost saving energy reduction opportunities through audits and practical actions.
MAEOE holds two annual events, the MAEOE Conference in February, and the Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit in May. The Conference is a three day professional learning event with over 500 teachers, nonformal educators, resource personnel and others all focused on improving the knowledge and capacity of environmental educators across the state and region. The Youth Summit is a celebration for successful Green School applicants.
Environmental education programs and environmental literacy are supported by encouraging collaboration with environmental organizations throughout Maryland and partnerships with organizations and initiatives from other sectors that cultivate innovation and develops long-lasting and meaningful change in local communities.
