Green Success Stories puts Sara Espinoza, President and CEO of National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), in the Green Spotlight. She shares her path in youth environmental education, from the Jane Goodall Institute and World Wildlife Fund to leading research, programs, and partnerships at NEEF, and emphasizes that sustainability is about everyday actions. Sara also invites readers to explore NEEF’s resources and get involved.
Tell us a bit about your sustainability journey.
I’ve spent my whole career in environmental education and have pursued work that centers on people as positive change agents. To me, sustainability is about all of us taking actions that improve our own lives and the lives of others.
I started my career focused on youth environmental education at The Jane Goodall Institute and World Wildlife Fund before joining the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF). Over the last 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working on a range of initiatives at NEEF, from building out a program that engaged hundreds of broadcast meteorologists in educating the public about their local environment, to working with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) on public engagement campaigns that used the power of sports to motivate people to act on environmental issues. I led research and evaluation for NEEF, and designed programmatic initiatives focused on K-12 education, conservation, and health.
All these experiences led me to my current role as President and CEO, where I get to work with the incredible NEEF staff and board to shape the future of environmental education.
Tell us a bit about the product or solution you offer.
At NEEF, we create opportunities for people to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet. We focus on education and conservation, connecting government, nonprofits and companies around projects with local or national impact.
A big part of NEEF’s work focuses on K–12 education. Through our Greening STEM program, we help young people explore environmental issues in their own communities through hands-on projects that build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and show how science connects to everyday life. We also support educators and students as they tackle complex topics like climate change, offering resources that help them understand the science and make sense of the emotions that can come with learning about real-world impacts.
These same connections between learning and the outdoors are reflected in NEEF’s year-round, partner-led conservation work. Our Veterans Health and Nature Grant Program funds hands-on conservation and outdoor service projects that benefit both veterans and public lands. Through activities like hiking, kayaking, fishing, and habitat restoration, often designed with accessibility in mind, veterans contribute to stewardship while rebuilding skills, confidence, and connection.
NEEF is also the national coordinator for National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. In 2025, the 32nd annual event engaged more than 55,000 volunteers at over 900 sites nationwide, contributing an estimated $9.4 million in volunteer service to public lands.
Share a green success story with us – how have you helped customers or other businesses in the fight against climate change?
Climate change is taking a real toll on young people’s mental health. A 2024 Lancet study found 85% are worried about climate change, 75% say the future is frightening, and over 45% reported that this worry interferes with their daily functioning.
In our own work with educators and youth, NEEF recognized the need for tools and resources that help them navigate the emotional dimensions of extreme weather and climate change. We partnered with the Climate Mental Health Network to create the Climate Emotions Toolkit for Educators (https://www.neefusa.org/what-we-do/k-12-education/climate-emotions-toolkit), the first teacher-tested, evidence-based resource designed to help middle school teachers and youth cope with the emotional impacts of climate change, promote emotional resilience, and build agency to address climate change impacts. Developed over three years with input from teachers nationwide, the toolkit includes classroom-ready lessons, practical strategies, and climate literacy resources.
Since its release in March 2025, the toolkit has been piloted in classrooms across the US and downloaded nearly 2,000 times. One hundred percent (100%) of participating teachers said they would recommend the toolkit to a colleague, and 77% felt confident addressing student climate emotions after using the toolkit, compared to just 17.5% before.
What would you like readers to take away from this article?
I would like readers to know that NEEF has a wealth of resources that support connection and engagement with the environment. There is something for everyone: Toolkits and classroom activities for educators, grant opportunities for schools and community organizations, and volunteer opportunities for anyone looking to lend a hand to their local public lands.
How should readers get in touch with you and/or your organization?
Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-espinoza-07b4bb58/.
Follow NEEF’s work at http://www.neefusa.org and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/neefusa/.
Kudos
Many thanks to Sara Espinoza and NEEF. Green Success Stories is happy to support and highlight your efforts! We invite you the reader to do the same.
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