EENC's mission is to promote excellence in professional development and facilitate networking opportunities, inspiring educators to create an environmentally literate citizenry.

Environmental education is a learning process that increases people's knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills and expertise to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make informed decisions and take responsible action (UNESCO, Tbilisi Declaration, 1978).

The components of environmental education are:

• Awareness and sensitivity to the environment and environmental challenges;
• Knowledge and understanding of the environment and environmental challenges;
• Attitudes of concern for the environment and motivation to improve or maintain environmental quality;
• Skills to identify and help resolve environmental challenges; and
• Participation in activities that lead to the resolution of environmental challenges (UNESCO, 1978)

Environmental Education in North Carolina EENC incorporates North Carolina's Environmental Education Plan.

The annual conference hosted by EENC, and the programs and workshops we promote, all must meet the Guidelines for Excellence developed by the North American Association for Environmental Education's National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education.

For further reading about environmental education and
UNESCO Goals, Objectives and Guiding Principles for EE
EE-Link’s Principles of EE