About BEEN

About the Boston Environmental Education Network

Our Mission

Boston Environmental Education Network is a group of organizations dedicated to advancing environmental literacy and stewardship. We speak with a single voice to inform policy.  We work together to develop relationships, strategies, opportunities and resources by informing and partnering with teachers, families, children, policy makers and each other. 

Our Vision

By the year 2020 young people in Boston’s K-12 schools, after-school and summer programs will have an appreciation for the environment that is based on high quality, active, engaging and culturally relevant learning and employment opportunities in their communities and beyond.

We believe:

• Environmental education fosters engagement in learning about the world around us, including our own communities.
• In using interdisciplinary, hands-on, inquiry-based learning about and in the natural and built environment to foster knowledge, appreciation and stewardship.
• Having outdoor, hands-on experiences is an essential part of gaining appreciation for the environment. 
• Being in the Network opens up opportunities for collaboration.

Goals of the Network

1. Coordinate a network of environmental education organizations to advance the mission and realize the vision.
2. Secure funds to build and sustain the work of the Network.
3. Establish a unified voice to advocate for effective environmental education policy.
4. Create the case for environmental education through evaluation and research.
5. Develop a coordinated strategy that communicates the scope of environmental education services to BPS and how environmental education is linked to the BPS curriculum.
6. Increased environmental literacy for Boston residents through effective program development for in-school, out-of-school, summer programs and employment.

Network Leadership

Currently the work of the Network is guided by two Committees:

The Advisory Committee provides overall guidance and direction for the activities of the Network.  Currently the members below serve on the Advisory Committee. Any Boston environmental education organization is welcome to join the advisory committee. Members of the BEEN Advisory Committee include:

• Appalachian Mountain Club – Pam Hess
• Boston Nature Center – Jean Dorcus
• UMASS Boston – Bob Chen
• Urban Ecology Institute – Dawn Chavez
• Zoo New England – Jen Gresham

The BPS-EE Subcommittee focuses on opening communications between the EE field and Boston Public Schools.  The BPS-EE Sub-committee is composed of:

• Arnold Arboretum – Nancy Sableski
• Boston Public Schools – Bev Nadeau and Jack Sheridan
• Boston Nature Center – Jean Dorcus
• UMASS Boston – Bob Chen
• Boston Schoolyards Initiative – Kristen Metz
• Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy – Alexandra Lee
• Boston Children’s Museum – Alissa Daniels

Facilitation and Coordination:  Antioch University New England is contracted to facilitate the network.  Currently Bo Hoppin serves as Network facilitator.  For information about the network or to join one of our working committees contact Bo Hoppin at bhoppin@antiochne.edu or (617) 230-7801.