Education for Sustainability (EFS) is learning that links wonder, inquiry, knowledge, and collective action to make positive change—change that will help create dynamic and sustainable communities. It’s education for a sustainable future.

EFS begins with learners simply noticing and asking questions about the world around them. These questions lead to an understanding about how natural and human communities operate, and how the systems they depend on are interrelated. As wonder and knowledge lead to caring, learners are given opportunities to take action to improve their place, and they realize that positive change is possible—and that they can contribute to it.

Search our education for sustainability resources below, or view all resources for this topic.

Featured Resources

  • Learning Locally, Transforming Globally Cover

    Learning Locally, Transforming Globally

    Utilizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this framework encourages learners to be co-participants in creating a more healthy and just planet, starting in their place.
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    • Guides & Toolkits
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  • Cultivating Joy and Wonder Cover

    Cultivating Joy & Wonder: Educating for Sustainability in Early Childhood Through Nature, Food, and Community

    Essays and early childhood activities that encourage exploration of the natural world.
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    • Guides & Toolkits
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  • The Big Ideas of Sustainability - cover

    The Big Ideas of Sustainability Poster

    A visual representation conveying the breadth and depth of the concept of sustainability.
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    • Posters & Graphics
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  • Education for Sustainability Cover

    Education for Sustainability

    Four inspiring stories of climate and sustainability education.
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    • Research & Case Studies
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  • Educating for Sustainability: Case Studies from the Field, PreK-12 Cover

    Educating for Sustainability: Case Studies from the Field, PreK-12

    Stories of what it means to educate for a sustainable future and the impact educators, students, and communities.
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What do we mean by "sustainability?"

Sustainability is the pursuit of environmental, social, and economic vitality that allows the needs of the present to be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Education fosters an understanding of the impact of decisions on economic vitality, environmental integrity, and social equity.

EFS is the approach behind all of our offerings for educators.

See offerings for educators

Stories

Education Impact
For Educators
Place-Based Education

Sustainable Schools at Work: High School for Environmental Studies, NYC

The job of our high schools to prepare students to enter the world has never been more complex. Leaders of one of our longtime partner schools took an ambitious approach to the challenge, sparked by our professional learning programs.
For Educators
Place-Based Education
UN Sustainable Development Goals

Unpacking Education for Sustainability: Webinar Recording

How can you build education for sustainability into your practice as an educator? Hear from Shelburne Farms and University of Vermont Tarrant Institute educators.
Education Impact
For Educators
Place-Based Education

New Experiences After School: Winooski’s JFK Elementary Explores Sustainability

This semester, students learned about their community through the lens of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, part of an ongoing partnership between Shelburne Farms and the Winooski School District.

Events & Programs

Four educators laugh around a sunny, spring picnic table at lakeshore at Shelburne Farms. Green bushes stand in background with lake and Adirondack Mountains in distance
Education for Sustainability Leadership Academy
A year-long residential program and learning community. Explore systems thinking, leadership skills, and changemaking in order to transform learning.
Program details
A circle of twelve people sit on a leaf-covered lawn in autumn with sweeping views of autumn foliage and rolling pastures in distance
Education for Sustainability Graduate Certificates
Accelerate positive change in your school and community. Grounded in action research, transformative education, and youth leadership, coursework is designed for practicing educators. Offered with University of Vermont.
Program details