The best hope for learning to live sustainably lies in schooling that is "smart by nature." It includes experiencing the natural world; learning how nature sustains life; nurturing healthy communities; recognizing the implications of the ways we feed and provision ourselves; and knowing well the places where we live, work, and learn.  Teachers are in a prime position to be able to weave these basics throughout the curriculum at every grade level.

Whether they start with an environmental issue or with fundamental ecological principles, teachers can nurture the knowledge, skills, and values essential to sustainable living.

A variety of teaching strategies are particularly appropriate for fostering sustainable living. We promote interdisciplinary instructional methods that are age-level appropriate; actively engage students in learning in and out of the classroom; involve them in activities; and create an atmosphere of purposeful conversation and reflection about complex issues.