Environmental education is an opportunity for the educator to inspire others to become passionate about our environment. It is an opportunity to change the way people think by transferring knowledge and informing opinion, building critical thinking skills and making changes that lead to new knowledge and awareness of the environment. Environmental educators have varied academic backgrounds from a bachelor of education to a doctoral degree. Elementary and secondary school teachers require a bachelor's degree in education and a provincial teaching certificate. Many education degrees have a special stream or focus in environmental sciences.
University professors require a doctoral degree in the field of specialization.
They may require licences or professional accreditation if teaching medicine, engineering, architecture, psychology or law. College and vocational instructors usually have a master's or bachelor's degree, college diploma or demonstrated expertise in their field of instruction. Those who instruct trades must complete apprenticeship training, trade certification and additional courses in teaching. A provincial teaching certificate may be required. Environment program coordinators or managers usually require an education degree with a specialty in environmental education or an environmental studies degree.