Pennsylvania Association Of Environmental Educators

What Pennsylvania Association Of Environmental Educators does

Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1977, operating as the Pennsylvania state affiliate of the North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE). It serves formal and non-formal environmental educators across Pennsylvania — including naturalists at nature centers, state agency environmental education staff, K-12 teachers and administrators aligned to PA STEELS standards, college and university faculty, nonprofit program coordinators, students, and retirees — through an interconnected set of programs: a NAAEE-accredited Environmental Education Certification Program (received January 2025), an annual statewide conference, monthly professional development sessions, scheduled online courses (eeCOURSES), Project WET water-education facilitator training, a DEIJA Learning Community, an EE job board, and a six-region director network with PA ELIT Network liaisons covering all Pennsylvania counties.

PAEE does not operate a proprietary technology product; its platform is the association itself, organized through its website (paee.net), social media channels, email communications, and in-person/virtual events. Revenue is generated through a mix of low-priced recurring and transactional streams: annual individual memberships priced at $20–$30, EE Certification application and exam fees totaling approximately $190–$200 (with recertification every five years), eeCOURSES online professional development at $65 for members and $100 for non-members plus a $10 ACT 48 credit fee, paid workshops, conference registration, and donations including a 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign targeting $50,000 by 2027. The organization also receives programmatic grant support, notably through the NAAEE EE Capacity Project.

Operationally, PAEE is governed by a board of directors (chaired as of 2025 by Julie Travaglini), supported by an Administrative Coordinator (Stacey Widenhofer) and a Project WET Coordinator (Jessica Kester), and executes field operations through five named regional directors across the Northwest, Southwest, Northcentral, Northeast, and Southeast regions. Its strategic positioning rests on three pillars: (1) NAAEE national accreditation — placing it among only 8 of 50 state affiliates with that distinction — (2) 45+ years of brand credibility approaching its 2027 50th anniversary, and (3) an embedded community ecosystem spanning diverse educator segments and Pennsylvania county geographies.

Name

Pennsylvania Association Of Environmental Educators

Legal name

Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators

Website

https://paee.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PAEE is a Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1977 that delivers NAAEE-accredited environmental education certification, professional development, an annual conference, online courses, and a six-region statewide network for formal and non-formal environmental educators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education Professional Association Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Development / CPD Requirement Administration for Licensure (EDADAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online/Distance Education Quality & Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAK), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Environmental education
• Professional certification
• Nonprofit membership
• Teacher professional development
• Environmental literacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Pottsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: PAEE collects annual membership dues from environmental educators across Pennsylvania, including formal and non-formal educators, naturalists, teachers, professors, students, and retirees. Membership fees support the organization's programs, professional development, certification, and advocacy activities.
2. EE Certification Program: The Environmental Education Certification Program charges application fees (approximately $100) and test fees (approximately $90) for non-formal educators seeking certification. Certified PA Teachers pay approximately $200 for PDE certification testing. The program is largely self-guided and self-paced, taking 1-3 years to complete. Scholarships are available for those facing financial barriers.
3. Professional Development Courses (eeCOURSES): PAEE offers online professional development courses priced at $65 for members and $100 for non-members, delivering 12-15 hours of instruction over an 8-week period. ACT 48 hours are available for an additional $10 fee. These courses develop competencies in investigating environmental issues and teaching controversial topics.
4. Professional Development Sessions and Workshops: PAEE hosts monthly professional development sessions at no cost to members, and charges $5 for non-members. Workshops like Dare 2B Tick Aware and Project Underground are offered at minimal cost. The organization also holds annual facilitator trainings for Project WET during its conference.
5. Donations: PAEE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that accepts donations, including a 50th Anniversary Endowment Campaign raising $50,000 by 2027. Memorial donations are also accepted in honor of board members and supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

PAEE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that supports environmental educators across Pennsylvania through professional certification, an annual conference, online courses (eeCOURSES), and a professional development series. It administers the CPEE credential, hosts networking events, and operates programs such as Project WET, the PA ELIT Network, and the DEIJA Learning Community for educators statewide.

Product overview

PAEE operates as a platform organization offering multiple interconnected programs and services for environmental educators. The core offerings include the NAAEE-accredited EE Certification Program, annual conferences, monthly Professional Development Series, and online eeCOURSES. Supporting programs include Project WET (water education), the DEIJA Learning Community, regional networks, and job postings. The organization serves a diverse membership including educators from nature centers, state agencies, non-profits, schools, and retirees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Environmental Educator Certification Program: Professional certification program for environmental educators that achieved national accreditation from NAAEE in 2025.
• EE Capacity Project
• DEIJA Learning Community

Products and services

• CPEE Certification (Certified Professional Environmental Educator) A professional certification credential for environmental educators in Pennsylvania, aligned with NAAEE national standards and recognized as the gold standard for the field. Available to members seeking to validate their expertise and advance their careers.
• PAEE Annual Conference A statewide annual conference bringing together environmental educators for networking, workshops, and professional development. Offers member and non-member registration tiers.
• Professional Development Series A structured series of professional development events, often provided free to PAEE members, designed to support continuing education for environmental educators across Pennsylvania.
• eeCOURSES (Online Courses) An online course platform offering self-paced environmental education courses for educators seeking continuing education and skill-building.
• PAEE Membership Annual membership for individuals and organizations in the environmental education community, providing access to free PD, member rates, the job board, and the professional network.
• EE Job Board An online job board hosted by PAEE that lists environmental education positions across Pennsylvania and is free for members to access.
• Project WET Pennsylvania PAEE coordinates the Pennsylvania arm of Project WET, an internationally recognized water education program, providing educator workshops and curriculum.
• PA ELIT Network A Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy and Innovation Taskforce (ELIT) network coordinated through PAEE to advance environmental literacy initiatives across the state.
• DEIJA Learning Community A learning community for PAEE members focused on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility (DEIJA) within environmental education practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nationally accredited EE Certification Program — one of only 8 NAAEE state affiliates with this distinction
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025NAAEE is PAEE's parent organization at the national level. PAEE serves as the state affiliate for Pennsylvania within NAAEE's network. PAEE's EE Certification Program was submitted for and received national accreditation from NAAEE in February 2025. PAEE participates in NAAEE conferences, EE Capacity training, and aligns its programs with NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence.
• Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013PAEE and PSAYDN jointly received an EE Capacity grant in 2013 and sent representatives to the annual NAAEE conference for EE Capacity diversity training. The partnership supported Project Accelerate Mapping Project led by Laura Saccento of PSAYDN.
• North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) - EE Capacity ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012In 2011, NAAEE received a large five-year EPA grant to expand state capacity for environmental education. PAEE was selected to participate in the EE Capacity program in 2012, receiving grant support to develop programs serving diverse audiences. This partnership led to PAEE's EE Capacity Community of Learners and multiple sub-projects across Pennsylvania targeting diverse populations.
• Moraine Preservation FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuth Roperti partnered with Moraine Preservation Fund to establish a field-based environmental science program for local school districts, including wetland and water quality studies aboard a floating classroom pontoon boat called Nautical Nature. The MPF summer interns were trained to share park information and nature knowledge during public cruises.
• Project WET (Water Education Today)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAEE organizes workshops for classroom teachers and non-formal educators to deliver Project WET, an award-winning water education program that promotes awareness of water and empowers community action. PAEE holds annual facilitator trainings, typically during the PAEE conference. Project WET's curriculum resources help educators teach complex environmental issues. Jessica Kester serves as PA Project WET coordinator.
• Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder the EE Capacity Project, PAEE partnered with PAEYC for the 'Embracing Your Environment' Series for Childcare Providers, led by Will Tolliver. This project focused on bringing environmental education to early childhood educators in the Pittsburgh area.
• Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder the EE Capacity Project, PAEE partnered with EPCAMR for a Stormwater Rain Barrel and Rain Garden Implementation Demonstration Project led by Robert Hughes, Executive Director. This project addressed stormwater management education in Pennsylvania communities affected by abandoned mine drainage.
• Schuylkill Center for Environmental EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder the EE Capacity Project, PAEE partnered with Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education for the 'Sharing Experience for Growing Environmental Education Opportunity' project led by Camila Rivera-Tinsley, Manager of School Programs. The Schuylkill Center also serves as the PAEE mailing address for certain donations.
• Slippery Rock UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith help from Slippery Rock University interns, PAEE completed the NAAEE accreditation application for its EE Certification Program in 2023. Alyssa Doster was instrumental in maintaining momentum during the accreditation process. The university also offers conservation-related programming visible in PAEE conference materials.
• Pennsylvania Department of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAEE works with the Pennsylvania Department of Education on environmental literacy initiatives, including the PA Advisory Council on Environmental Education, PDE pathways to Green Schools program, and integration with PA STEELS standards. The relationship enables certified educators to earn ACT 48 credit hours.
• Pennsylvania Outdoor CorpsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPAEE's job postings page links to Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps jobs, which provide numerous positions across the state. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is a state program offering outdoor employment opportunities to Pennsylvania residents.
• Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy (PA ELIT) NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy Network consists of representatives from government agencies, nonprofits, and schools working together to increase environmental literacy throughout the commonwealth. PA ELIT Network has representatives in each of PAEE's 6 regions and focuses on both shared statewide goals and regional goals. PAEE is a key partner in this network.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Project Learning Tree (PLT): A national environmental education curriculum and training program operated by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Comparable as a professional development and curriculum provider serving K-12 educators, similar to PAEE's Project WET and eeCOURSES offerings.
• Project WILD (Council for Environmental Education): A national wildlife-focused environmental education curriculum program. Comparable to PAEE's Project WET as a fee-based, facilitator-trained curriculum PAEE-style associations deliver to K-12 educators.

Direct peers

• Environmental Education Alliance of Illinois (EEAI): Illinois state affiliate providing professional development, networking, and resources for environmental educators. Operates the same membership-association model as PAEE within a different state.
• New York State Outdoor Education Association (NYSOEA): A neighboring state association providing professional development, conferences, and networking for outdoor and environmental educators. Comparable peer operating an analogous model in New York.
• Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC): A state-level environmental education membership association serving North Carolina educators. Directly comparable in mission, structure (membership dues, conference, PD, certification), and customer base to PAEE.

Broad incumbents

• National Science Teaching Association (NSTA): A larger national professional association serving science educators, including those integrating environmental and earth science content. Comparable as a membership-driven PD provider, though at much broader scale and scope than PAEE.
• North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE): The national umbrella organization and parent affiliate of PAEE. NAAEE sets Guidelines for Excellence, grants national accreditation, and convenes the broader EE field — comparable as the national-scale membership and accreditation body serving the same educator audience PAEE serves at the state level.

Regional players

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: A regional nonprofit focused on Chesapeake Bay watershed education, covering portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Comparable in providing EE professional development and teacher training within PA's footprint.
• Ohio Environmental Education Fund / Ohio EE Council: Neighboring state environmental education organization. Comparable peer given geographic proximity to Pennsylvania and overlap in educator audiences, particularly K-12 teachers and nature center staff across the mid-Atlantic.

Emerging players

• Green Teacher Network: A network focused on connecting educators around sustainability and environmental literacy, with overlap in audience (K-12 teachers seeking EE professional development) and mission alignment with PAEE's PA ELIT Network and DEIJA community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-association-of-environmental-educators
• Instagraminstagram.com/pennsylvaniaee

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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