What are some environmental education partnership best practices with community organizations?

1 Identify common interests and needs

The first step to create a successful environmental education partnership is to identify the common interests and needs of both the educational institution and the community organization. This will help to align the expectations, objectives, and outcomes of the partnership, as well as to identify the resources, skills, and expertise that each partner can offer. For example, a school might partner with a local environmental group to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities, while the group might benefit from the school's facilities, equipment, and outreach. To identify common interests and needs, you can conduct surveys, interviews, focus groups, or workshops with both partners.

2 Develop a clear and flexible agreement

The second step to create a successful environmental education partnership is to develop a clear and flexible agreement that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each partner. The agreement should also specify the duration, scope, budget, and evaluation of the partnership, as well as the communication and conflict resolution strategies. The agreement should be reviewed and revised regularly to reflect any changes or challenges that might arise in the partnership. For example, a school and a community garden might agree on the frequency, timing, and content of the visits, as well as the materials, tools, and supervision required.

3 Build trust and respect

The third step to create a successful environmental education partnership is to build trust and respect between the partners. This can be done by fostering open and honest communication, providing feedback and recognition, acknowledging and appreciating the contributions and perspectives of each partner, and respecting the diversity and autonomy of each partner. Trust and respect can also be enhanced by creating opportunities for social interaction, joint learning, and shared decision-making. For example, a school and a wildlife sanctuary might organize a joint field trip, a workshop, or a celebration to strengthen their relationship.

4 Engage multiple stakeholders

The fourth step to create a successful environmental education partnership is to engage multiple stakeholders in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the partnership. Stakeholders are the people who are affected by or interested in the partnership, such as students, teachers, parents, administrators, staff, volunteers, donors, or media. Engaging multiple stakeholders can help to increase the relevance, diversity, and impact of the partnership, as well as to generate support, feedback, and advocacy. For example, a school and a recycling center might involve students in designing and conducting a waste audit, teachers in integrating the partnership into the curriculum, parents in supporting the recycling efforts, and media in promoting the partnership.

5 Monitor and evaluate progress

The fifth step to create a successful environmental education partnership is to monitor and evaluate the progress and outcomes of the partnership. This can be done by collecting and analyzing data, such as attendance, participation, satisfaction, learning, behavior, or impact. Monitoring and evaluation can help to measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the partnership, as well as to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. Monitoring and evaluation can also help to communicate and celebrate the achievements, as well as to plan and improve the future actions. For example, a school and a water conservation organization might use surveys, interviews, observations, or tests to assess the changes in students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding water use.

6 Share and learn from experiences

The sixth step to create a successful environmental education partnership is to share and learn from the experiences and lessons of the partnership. This can be done by documenting and disseminating the stories, results, and impacts of the partnership, as well as by seeking and providing feedback and recommendations. Sharing and learning from experiences can help to increase the visibility, recognition, and credibility of the partnership, as well as to inspire and inform other potential or existing partners. Sharing and learning from experiences can also help to create a network and community of practice among environmental education partners. For example, a school and a renewable energy company might publish a newsletter, a blog, or a video to showcase their partnership, as well as to participate in conferences, webinars, or forums to exchange their insights and challenges.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?