Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE)

What Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE) does

The Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association founded circa 1955 that serves environmental and outdoor educators across the state. It operates as the California affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and supports a member base that includes classroom teachers, informal educators, naturalists, and program leaders who collectively reach roughly 5.8 million California TK-12 students through their work.

AEOE's core products are (1) the Environmental Education Certification Program (EECP), a multi-tier professional credential (Foundational, Knowledge, Application, Leadership) launching in its redesigned form for the 2026-2027 cohort with a $25 application fee and $225-$500 per-tier certification costs; (2) eeCourses, an online professional-development catalog priced at $75-$85 per course, delivered through a Moodle LMS and now eligible for University of San Diego graduate credit; (3) an annual conference; (4) a member directory and job board; and (5) grant-funded research outputs including the EE Provider Survey and a Climate Change and Equity interactive map produced under the Collective Impact of Environmental Education project with Ten Strands and other partners. The technology stack is conventional and entirely off-the-shelf: Wild Apricot for membership management and Moodle for course delivery.

Revenue is generated from individual and organizational membership dues, EECP application and certification fees, eeCourse tuition, conference registration, sponsorships, job postings, and project grants from foundations including the Pisces Foundation and the Clarence E. Heller Foundation. Distribution is California-only, and the organization pursues state-level environmental literacy policy advocacy alongside its practitioner-services mission. A 2024-2027 Strategic Plan targets growth of dues-paying members from a few hundred to between 1,000 and 10,000.

Name

Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE)

Legal name

California Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education

Website

https://aeoe.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association that supports environmental and outdoor educators through certification, online courses, conferences, advocacy, and a statewide member community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional association services for environmental and outdoor education

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental, Health & Safety / Sustainability (EHS, Environmental Compliance CE) (EDAAALAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Certification & Training Providers (Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard, Guide Training) (THAAAOAF)

Keywords

• Environmental education association
• Outdoor education certification
• Professional development courses
• Environmental literacy advocacy
• Membership nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for individuals and organizations providing access to member benefits, discounts on programs, job postings, and community belonging. Individual and organizational membership tiers available for 1-year subscriptions.
2. Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP): Certification program running August 2026 through June 2027 with cohort meetings, mentor sessions, and optional 9 graduate units through University of San Diego. Application fee of $25 plus program fees ranging from $225-$500 based on rate tier.
3. Online Courses (eeCourses): Asynchronous online courses such as Teaching & Learning Outdoors priced at $75-$85 depending on membership status. Approximately 6-week courses with 15 hours of coursework.
4. Conferences and Events: Annual statewide conference, Program Leaders Retreat, and Fall Regional Meetups providing registration fees and sponsorship opportunities.
5. Sponsorship: Sponsorship opportunities for events and programs supporting the organization financially.
6. Job Postings: Organizational members receive unlimited job postings; free access to online job fair in fall and tabling at statewide conference resource fair.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AEOE is a California-based nonprofit professional association that strengthens environmental and outdoor education by connecting providers, building professional expertise, and championing environmental literacy. Its core commercial offerings are the Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP), a yearlong cohort-based professional certification, eeCourse asynchronous online courses (such as Teaching & Learning Outdoors), and a slate of recurring in-person events including the annual statewide conference, regional meetups, and the Program Leaders Retreat. Membership dues, course and certification fees, and event registration fees fund access to a curated resource library, advocacy representation, EE Provider Database, job board, and member-only discounts.

Product overview

AEOE operates as a professional association offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services for environmental and outdoor educators in California. The core offerings include the Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP), a year-long certification running August through June with cohort meetings and mentor sessions, and eeCourses such as Teaching & Learning Outdoors delivered via Moodle. The organization hosts recurring events including the Annual Statewide Conference, Fall Regional Meetups, and Program Leaders Retreat. Awards programs recognize outstanding educators and organizations. AEOE provides advocacy services at state and federal levels, operates an EE Provider Survey with interactive mapping, curates research and evaluation resources, and maintains teaching resources and Guidelines for Excellence. Membership benefits include an organizational directory, job board, professional networks like the Program Leaders Group, and discounts on programs. The organization functions as California's affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP) A structured, yearlong professional certification program for environmental educators running August through June, with cohort meetings, mentor sessions, and an optional pathway to 9 graduate units through the University of San Diego. The program establishes uniform foundations for effectively teaching about the environment in California and confers a credential that enhances professional legitimacy. Pricing is tiered across assisted ($400), standard ($450), contributor ($500), and scholarship ($225) rates plus a $25 non-refundable application fee.
• eeCourse: Teaching & Learning Outdoors An approximately 6-week asynchronous online course delivered via Moodle, providing 15 hours of coursework comprising video content, article readings, forum postings via Padlet, and personal reflections. Designed to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and tools to take environmental learning outdoors; includes an optional 1 graduate unit through the University of San Diego. Pricing is $75 for individual members, $80 for staff of organizational members, and $85 for the general public.
• Annual Statewide Conference The flagship annual in-person gathering for environmental and outdoor education professionals across California, featuring workshops, networking, and the presentation of major awards including the Lifetime Achievement Howard Bell Award, Environmental Educators of the Year, and the Organization of the Year Award in partnership with Ten Strands and CAELI.
• Fall Regional Meetups Regional in-person gatherings held across California each fall, enabling environmental educators to connect locally, share best practices, and build peer networks between annual conferences.
• Program Leaders Retreat An annual in-person retreat dedicated to directors, managers, and program leaders of outdoor schools and environmental education organizations, focused on professional development, leadership skill-building, and collaborative problem-solving.
• EE Provider Survey and Analysis (Collective Impact of EE) A sector-level research and data initiative surveying environmental education providers across California, producing landscape analysis, an interactive Climate/Equity/Education map, and tools that strengthen the EE sector's capacity, identify service gaps, and inform advocacy and funding decisions. Delivered in partnership with CAELI, Ten Strands, EcoRise, and Map Nerd Consulting.
• Advocacy Services AEOE promotes environmental education legislation and policy at state and federal levels, researches issues impacting EE providers, advocates for public funding and access to EE, and equips member organizations with advocacy resources and tools.
• Outdoor & Environmental Education Provider Database A searchable public database of community-based organizations offering environmental education programs throughout California, filterable by county, topic, and grade level, provided in partnership with the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI).

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ EE providers surveyed for landscape analysis
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEOE serves as California's affiliate of NAAEE, representing the state in the largest community of environmental educators in the world. Partnership involves eePRO feed, guidelines for excellence series, and collaborative advocacy efforts.
• California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint data initiative partnership focused on data relevant to community-based EE partners in California. Co-leads the Collective Impact of EE project and co-sponsors Organization of the Year Award.
• Ten StrandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on environmental literacy initiatives; co-sponsors Organization of the Year Award; collaborated on TK-16 California Roadmap to a Green and Blue Economy; joint data initiative on EE provider landscape.
• University of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 1 graduate unit upon completion of eeCourses; EECP participants can purchase 9 graduate units through USD.
• Children & Nature NetworkmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored the EECP capstone project video on outdoor education awareness; partnership amplifies messaging about getting people and youth into nature.
• Justice OutsidemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in equity and inclusion work; collaborated on bringing diverse perspectives to outdoor education discussions.
• EcoRisesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the EE provider landscape project contributing skills and collaboration.
• Map Nerd ConsultingsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnical partner providing mapping expertise for the interactive climate/education/equity map.
• Wild ApricotsupportingTechnology or IntegrationMembership software platform provider powering the AEOE website and membership management.
• Acorn NaturalistssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-time sponsor and partner; offers 5% discount for AEOE members on teaching materials and resources.
• The Outdoor Learning StoresupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharitable social enterprise offering outdoor learning equipment; provides 5% discount for AEOE members with proceeds supporting non-profit outdoor learning initiatives.
• Project WETsupportingOthersWater education specialists offering complete lesson plans; featured as valuable professional learning provider on AEOE site.
• Project Learning Tree (CA)supportingOthersMulti-disciplinary environmental education curriculum provider for all grade levels; partnership with UC ANR.
• BEETLES ProjectsupportingOthersPedagogy resources for outdoor educators including learning sessions, student activity guides, and instructor support materials.
• Life LabsupportingOthersLeading provider of garden-based curriculum and professional development for educators.
• UC ANR Environmental StewardsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate Stewards & California Naturalist programs providing professional development for environmental educators.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ten Strands: California-based nonprofit that partners with AEOE on environmental literacy initiatives and co-sponsors the Organization of the Year Award. Highly comparable mission (environmental literacy in California schools) and overlapping funder relationships (Pisces Foundation).
• Children & Nature Network: National nonprofit focused on connecting children to nature through educator and community networks. Comparable audience (educators, program leaders) and advocacy focus; sponsored AEOE's EECP capstone video on outdoor education awareness.
• California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI): AEOE's core strategic partner co-leading the Collective Impact of EE project and jointly publishing landscape analysis. Operates in the same California environmental literacy ecosystem with overlapping stakeholder base.
• UC ANR California Naturalist / Environmental Stewards: University of California program offering certifications (California Naturalist, Climate Stewards) closely analogous to AEOE's EECP. Targets the same California educator audience with similar certification-and-professional-development model.

Regional players

• Life Lab: California-based provider of garden-based curriculum and professional development for educators. Directly comparable target audience (K-12 teachers) and listed by AEOE as a professional development partner.
• Project WET Foundation: Water-focused environmental education organization offering complete lesson plans and teacher professional development. Listed by AEOE as a key professional development provider; comparable audience and curriculum resource model.
• Project Learning Tree (American Forest Foundation): National environmental education curriculum provider featured on AEOE's professional development directory. Comparable in offering K-12 EE curriculum and teacher training, but operates nationally rather than California-specific.
• EcoRise: National nonprofit partnering with AEOE on the EE provider landscape project. Comparable focus on K-12 environmental and sustainability education, with similar funder base (Pisces Foundation).

Broad incumbents

• North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE): The national umbrella association for environmental education of which AEOE is the California affiliate. Directly comparable in mission (EE professional development, certification, advocacy), but operates across North America and offers overlapping programs at a broader scale.
• Council for Environmental Education: National organization promoting high-quality environmental education through programs like Project WILD. Comparable scope (national EE standards, professional development, curriculum) and overlapping stakeholder base with AEOE.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/caeoe
• Facebookfacebook.com/caeoe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-for-environmental-and-outdoor-education-aeoe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE)