Earth Partnership for Schools
Earth Partnership for Schools (EPS) builds the capacity of pK-16 students, teachers, non-formal educators, natural resource personnel, and citizens to restore native habitat on schoolyards and nearby natural areas. EPS addresses diversity and ecological literacy across age, ecosystem, discipline, learning style and culture. Teachers from 48 Wisconsin counties participate in this nationally recognized teacher professional development program. EPS is a comprehensive inquiry, restoration and place-based approach, integrated with academic standards in many subjects emphasizing watershed and climate awareness, and service learning. The RESTORE initiative makes EPS available nationwide in more than 16 states and Puerto Rico.
Outcomes
Since 1991, Earth Partnership for Schools (EPS) has helped educators from 14 states and Puerto Rico to incorporate ecological restoration into their curricula, directly reaching more than 400 schools, 1,600 teachers and 160,000 students. EPS has created 100 activities, with education standards and assessment ideas. EPS has generated local and regional partnerships with botanic gardens, arboreta, environmental centers, school districts, watershed groups, departments of natural resources, National Wildlife Federation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and other agencies. Twenty-five EPS Centers provide local support to schools in CA (3), IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN (2), MO, NC, NH, NY, OR, TX, WI (7) and Puerto Rico(2).
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Cheryl Bauer-Armstrong
Program Director
- Department/Unit
- Arboretum
- School or College
- Graduate School