At NAAEE, we believe in great beginnings. We know that building environmental literacy is a lifelong process, and it starts with building a solid foundation.

NAAEE supports early childhood environmental educators through the Natural Start Alliance—a network of organizations, educators, and parents committed to connecting young children to nature and the environment through education. We launched this major strategic initiative in 2013 to help ensure that environmental education begins with our very youngest learners: infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. In these early years, environmental education is rooted in play and inquiry and is focused on introducing children to nature and the environment in ways that are connected to the places where they live and foster positive feelings about the natural world.

The Natural Start Alliance brings the field together to work toward the shared goal of ensuring that all children receive the benefits of nature-based education in early childhood. Visit the website for more information about Natural Start’s goals and initiatives.

NAAEE also publishes the Guidelines for Excellence in Early Childhood Environmental Education and the International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education.

Want to help spark children's interest in the world around them and build children's confidence in their ability to work with others and get things done? Share your thoughts and follow the activities of the Natural Start Alliance in the Early Childhood eePRO group.