Research & Publications

Wisconsin State-Wide Environmental Education Survey

Since 2014, a research team led by Dr. Justin Hougham has administered surveys to over 700 environmental organizations around the state, and included some regional organizations beyond the state who serve a Wisconsin audience. Survey results are linked below for the years 2014, 2015, 2019, with an Executive Summary for 2021 and 2023 results. Each year, the survey took a slightly new iteration, with the most significant changes in questions asked occurring between 2019 and 2023. The survey questions used in 2023 are linked below for reference.

Various respondent rates have occurred each year this survey has been distributed, with 110-193 respondents occurring. Some notable data points include:

In 2014, the researchers found that environmental education employs over 3,000 people in the state and generates between $40 million and $72 million in direct economic activity annually. Respondents collectively manage approximately 165,500 acres of land.
In the first quarter of 2021, a revised and enhanced version of this survey was administered with a specific focus on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as well as the impact on the field from the COVID pandemic.
In 2021, when asked to describe the level of priority placed on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at each respective EE organization, a majority of leaders indicated a moderate to high level of priority for DEI (86%), while only 14% indicated it to be low-level priority.
In the first quarter of 2023, a revised and enhanced version of this survey was administered with a specific focus on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
In 2023, of the environmental organizations surveyed, 65 organizations self-reported the classifications of “public” (22%), “outdoor learning/nature centers” (19%), “camps” (15%), and “conservation-based” (13%) as key descriptors. Most are serving students in K-8 with their programming.

Full Survey Results Reports:

Survey Executive Summaries:

Status and Needs of Environmental Education Related Organizations in Wisconsin: Executive Summary from the 2021 state-wide survey. To view the questions from the 2021 survey, please click here.

Status and Needs of Environmental Education Related Organizations serving Wisconsin populations through diversity, equity, justice, inclusion initiatives: Executive Summary from the 2023 regional survey. To view the questions from the 2023 survey, please click here.