Certification has a variety of benefits for individuals, organizations, and the field of EE. Individual educators find that the certification process serves as an important step in their professional development. In meeting high standards of the program, candidates more fully master both the theory and practice of EE, making them more effective as professionals. Perhaps equally important is the statewide network of professional environmental educators that the program fosters.

In other states with functioning certification programs, many organizations report that they find the certification program helpful in identifying qualified environmental educators. Though certification does not guarantee the competence of individuals in addressing specific environmental topics, certification does attest that environmental educators have met minimum standards regarding comprehension and experience within the field of EE.

Certification programs like this one also provide an important benefit to the field of EE. Because the program helps define the knowledge, skills, and ethical standards required to effectively practice EE, certification helps ensure the credibility of EE.

A Certification Program will:

• Encourage quality environmental education and professional growth
• Build support and respect for the field
• Break down misconceptions about environmental education
• Meet the needs of a diverse field