Since its inception, CELF has provided consulting services, professional development programs and student training programs with a goal of making sustainability education an integral part of the K-12 learning experience. Our programs for educators and students complement our consulting services by providing training in education for sustainability and offering a multitude of ways to bring sustainability education into the classroom.

Working with school districts and educational organizations, CELF creates custom programming that addresses whole school change. Using a proven framework, strategically developed to incorporate Next Generation Science Standards and current K-12 best practices, CELF provides educators with project-and place-based learning strategies and curricular access points for Education for Sustainability (EfS). Our professional learning model engages educators in interactive learning experiences, with CELF Facilitators working side-by-side to design curricula and school programs that integrate EfS instructional practices and the “Big Ideas of Sustainability”, creating EfS classroom and school-wide learning opportunities. Applying community-building principles of EfS in every aspect of our work, CELF creates a learning community among students, teachers, administrators and the community at large. When teachers belong to an effective culture of collaboration and cooperation, they are inspired to create this culture with their students. The concepts of sustainability are universal, but every district and school starts from a different place. Whether you have a handful of knowledgeable teachers or one enthusiastic administrator, CELF will partner with a school or district, and navigate the steps necessary to ensure today’s students will become tomorrow’s Earth Citizens.

CELF is an award-winning educational organization that specializes in K-12 environmental literacy and STEM learning through sustainability. CELF has received recognition awards for our transformative work with teachers, students and school communities from the EPA Region 2, NY League of Conservation Voters and the Clinton Global Initiative. CELF has helped schools and districts achieve the National Green Ribbon Award (Warwick Valley Central School District and Western Connecticut Academy for International Studies) through professional development that focuses on connecting STEM curriculum with campus energy, water, waste and transportation projects.

Evaluation of our progress will include teacher reflections, implementation reports, school action plans and evidence of success, as well as student artifacts. Project tracking reports will be completed throughout the year. Focus will be on the extent to which participating educators show changes in their knowledge of EfS pedagogy, comprehensively integrate multiple disciplines through EfS approaches, and model sustainable behaviors in the classroom and campus. Annual public forums will showcase students' sustainability achievements in school communities. Identified promising practices will be disseminated to participating schools and will be compiled in an online portfolio of model case studies, providing a link to schools undertaking similar school change efforts toward a sustainable future.

CELF has received recognition awards for our transformative work with teachers, students and school communities from the EPA Region 2, NY League of Conservation Voters and the Clinton Global Initiative. CELF has helped schools and districts achieve the National Green Ribbon Award (Warwick Valley Central School District and Western Connecticut Academy for International Studies) through professional development that focuses on connecting STEM curriculum with campus energy, water, waste and transportation projects. We are proud to say that since its inception, CELF has worked with more than 13,000 teachers and school leaders and more than 1 million students from 4,000 schools. This is just the beginning of our work to bring systemic change to K-12 education and we look forward to working with you.