But when his Ohio school started an Outdoor Education Program, Wilson was asked to teach outdoor classes. That excitement has continued for nearly 30 years. Wilson has been director of Western Kentucky University's Center for Mathematics, Science and Environmental Education since 1989 and is president-elect of the North American Association for Environmental Education. The center, which was established in 1983, is a collaboration between Western's education and science colleges.
Environmental education is more of an umbrella.
For example, he said, recycling is more than an environmental science issue. It is a social and educational issue that requires math and communication skills to resolve. The center provides professional development opportunities for teachers, training for students, creation of curriculum and other materials for schools and agencies and coordination of environmental education for schools, businesses and agencies. Even though many Kentucky residents attended schools that didn't emphasize environmental education, one poll shows that 96 percent of parents want environmental education in the schools now, he said. The plan's recommendations include improving environmental educational programs by training educators, teaching children, promoting environmental literacy and establishing regional education centers.