by Don Corrigan
Environmental educators in Missouri have been organized for 30 years to promote nature and outdoor education for children. They also have worked to be protectors and caretakers of the environment.
They’ve started many environmental initiatives in their three decades. They’ve seen good times and bad times. These are challenging times, and they concede 2026 may be just a year for holding their ground.
“As caretakers of Missouri’s environment, we have many challenges ahead of us – funding is limited, environmental protection policies and support for education are on shaky ground, and many Missourians are just struggling to make ends meet,” said Jamin Bray.
Bray of Salem, Mo., is co-director of the Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA), along with co-director Lesli Moylan of Kirkwood, Mo. in suburban St. Louis
“So, we intend to be even more strategic, focused and efficient moving forward into 2026,” said Bray. “MEEA will soon have a new 3-year Strategic Plan that will continue to provide the very best environmental education services possible.”
Among the services and programs that MEAA has developed:
• Show-Me Green Schools. The Missouri Green Schools program helps schools track progress and earn recognition for achievements in health, sustainability and learning. This pathway to state and national recognition is jointly administered by MEEA and the USGBC Gateway Chapter.
• Teacher Certification. MEEA provides a structured pathway to professional certification in the environmental education field. Our certification program ensures that teachers have the knowledge, understanding and skills to be an effective voice for the environment.
• Environmental Literacy Advisory Board. MEEA coordinates two meetings per year to foster collaboration and support of state-wide EE initiatives. Representatives from state agencies, schools, non-profits, universities, and businesses come together to lend their expertise and to grow strategic large-scale projects.
• Regular Conferences. MEEA believes coming together to share ideas, expertise, challenges, and success stories is a great way to grow. MEEA has hosted an annual EE conference since 1996, and joined the Sustainability Institute for Educators collaborative team in 2019.
• Nifty Newsletter. Keeping MEEA’s statewide members connected is important, so a content-rich monthly newsletter is filled with upcoming events, timely advice, and unique opportunities from across the state.
• Environmental Educator Mini-Grants. Sometimes a little help goes a long way. MEEA annually awards six grants of $250 each to purchase materials or supplies for advancing environmental or sustainability education.
“As a volunteer organization, MEEA is managed by an ever-changing cohort of caring citizens,” noted Bray. “Since our statewide project began in 1996, the people who have guided this organization have changed, but the mission is still sturdy.
“Our mission remains intact because it serves the needs of Missourians caring for the environment and for environmental education,” Bray added. “With our staff, teachers, board members, students and volunteers, we are energized for 2026 and for moving MEEA forward into the future.”
To learn more about the work of the Missouri Environmental Education Association, check out: MEEA.org/meea-news-december-2025/.
Environmental Echo 