State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Education and Interpretation

Environmental Education and Interpretation (EE&I) are inspiring professionals who work to help their learners take actions on important issues in conservation, environmental and social justice, climate change, park management and access, and resource management.

Students gain real-world experiences in EE&I and experiential STEM teaching and learning

Through a suite of environmental education and interpretation courses, students receive professional credentials in such programs as Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, and more. Courses provide opportunities to earn certifications from the National Association of Interpretation and to attend professional conferences. Additional opportunities exist in “nonpersonal” interpretation, where we carry out community engagement projects as co-learners with community partners, and where we create social media posts, digital storytelling tools, exhibition and wayfinding signs, and other forms of EE&I media. Students gain valuable work experience through a professional internship, where their recently acquired knowledge and skills can be applied. ESF also operates the Adirondack Interpretive Center, where our students can learn and work.

New and emerging critical issues are woven into our program

EE&I majors can take courses taught by faculty within the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at ESF.  There is also ample room in the curriculum for specialized courses about urban sustainability, climate justice, environmental health, or water issues.  ESF offers several minors of interest to EE&I students, including Environmental Policy and Communication, Recreation Resource and Protected Area Management, Environmental Writing and Rhetoric, Food Studies, Marine Science, and Renewable Energy.

You can broaden your academic experience through a study abroad program. Whether you opt for a short-term immersion in another culture or a semester abroad, these opportunities offer valuable insights into global environmental issues. Engaging in study abroad programs allows you to explore diverse conservation methods, environmental justice initiatives, and sustainability practices worldwide. Additionally, you'll have the chance to connect with peers and professionals from various backgrounds, fostering cross-cultural understanding within the field.

We prepare students for employment in nonformal and informal education and interpretation

Our alumni easily land positions in a wide array of places. Graduates have found richly satisfying careers in nature centers, zoos, aquaria, botanic gardens, parks, urban youth centers, early childhood learning programs, wilderness areas, federal and state agencies (such as the National Park Service or New York State Department of Environmental Conservation), non-profit organizations focused on conservation and/or environmental justice, museums, community gardens, and travel/ecotourism industries. A growing number of job postings exist doing media design and writing with private consulting companies, crafting graphic design work within agencies or organizations, and providing visitor information, especially for social media or even film. 

Our EE&I major can also serve as a valuable springboard to enter graduate programs in K-12 science teaching, early childhood nature education, or other formal education professions.