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Thank you for partnering with the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) to spread the word about our teen survey. The following toolkit includes template materials that partner organizations can use to share the survey findings with your networks. If there are any additional materials that would be helpful, please let us know.

November 17, 2017

National Environmental Education Foundation Teen Survey Partner Toolkit

OverviewThe National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) surveyed teens across the country to better understand how they interact with the outdoors, and who they turn to for information about the environment. Building on our adult survey, the teen survey uncovers critical insights into their attitudes and behaviors that will help us determine how to foster a deeper connection between teens and the outdoors. NEEF is sharing insights from our teen survey with parents, educators and organizations that directly influence teens’ relationship with the environment to empower them to increase environmental learning. We have developed the following toolkit of materials that partners can use to spread the word about the survey through your communication channels.

Further survey results will be publicly released on Monday, November 20 at 10:00am ET, so we ask that partners wait until then to share these materials. Thank you for partnering with us on this important effort, and please let us know if you have any questions about this toolkit or the survey.

Talking PointsPartners can use the following talking points to share information about the NEEF teen survey and highlight key findings.

In today’s technology-driven world, teens are disconnected from their environment and spend very little time outdoors, which threatens their health and well-being.

A new survey from NEEF uncovers critical insights into how teens interact with the outdoors and who they turn to for information about the environment.

Parents and educators play a crucial role in connecting teens to their environment. The survey found that they are the most frequent and trusted sources of environmental education for teens.

On a typical school day, teens spend just one hour outdoors. Less than a quarter (23 percent) of teens frequently spend time with friends outside.

Most teens (80 percent) say they prefer to spend time indoors and spend most of their free time connected to electronic devices.

But despite a preference for the indoors, teens overwhelmingly recognize that time outdoors makes them healthier (92 percent) and happier (88 percent).

We know that playing and exercising outdoors boosts energy, reduces stress and supports teens’ development.

Teens also recognize that their actions can affect the environment, and they take steps to conserve water and energy.

We’re partnering with NEEF to share insights from the teen survey with parents, educators and others who directly influence teens’ relationship with the environment to empower them to increase environmental learning.

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Together, we are raising up the importance of teens finding a balance with their use of technology and getting outdoors more often.

We have an opportunity to harness the power of technology to help teens become more environmentally aware. There are multiple tech-based resources parents, teachers and kids can use to better engage and explore the outdoors, such as Project NOAH and E-bird.

Join us to spread the word about the survey and foster a deeper connection between teens and the outdoors. Visit www.neefusa.org to learn more.

When teens have a stronger connection with the environment, they will grow into healthier, happier and more engaged adults.

Sample Newsletter PostPartners may feature the sample newsletter post below in newsletters and emails or on your website.

On a typical school day, teenagers spend just one hour outdoors, according to a new survey from the National Environmental Education Foundation. The survey uncovers critical insights into how teens interact with the environment in today’s technology-driven world. It finds that although most teens (80 percent) say they prefer to spend time indoors, they overwhelmingly recognize that time outdoors makes them healthier (92 percent) and happier (88 percent). The survey also sheds light on who teens turn to for environmental education, noting that parents and educators play a crucial role in connecting teens to their environment.

[Organization] is partnering with NEEF to share insights from the teen survey with parents, educators and others who directly influence teens’ relationship with the environment to empower them to increase environmental learning. Together, we are raising up the importance of teens finding a balance with their use of technology and getting outdoors more often. Join us to spread the word about the survey and foster a deeper connection between teens and the outdoors. Visit www.neefusa.org to learn more.

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Fact Sheet The following fact sheet summarizes the topline findings from the survey. Partners can distribute this as a handout or use it as an infographic on your website.

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Sample Social Media ContentPartners can use the sample social media content below to share findings from the survey on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook On a typical school day, teens spend just one hour outdoors, despite the fact that they know time

outside is important for their physical and emotional well-being. A new survey from @NEEFusa uncovers critical insights into how teens interact with the outdoors in today’s technology-driven world. Learn more at neefusa.org. #iGenoutside [Attach share graphic 1]

Parents and educators play a crucial role in connecting teens with their environment. We’re working with our partners at @ NEEFusa to empower them to increase environmental learning and get #iGenoutside! Join us. neefusa.org [Attach share graphic 2]

We know that outdoor education can enhance students’ learning about any subject they discuss in the classroom. But these days, teenagers are spending more time on their phones and computers and less time outside. Teachers have an important role to play in connecting teens to their environment. Are you a teacher, or know one? Learn how to incorporate outdoor activities and environmental education into lesson plans at [link]. [Attach share graphic 3] #iGenoutside

When it comes to the environment, teenagers still take their cues from their parents. A new survey from @NEEFusa finds that 87% of teens trust the information they get from their parents about the environment. Learn more about how parents can get teens to #OptOutside: neefusa.org. #iGenoutside

Twitter We’re partnering w/ @NEEFusa to share insights on teens' connection to the outdoors. Learn more

here: neefusa.org #iGenoutside New @NEEFusa study finds teens know time outdoors is good for their health but only spend 1 hr

outdoors each day. Let’s get #iGenoutside! [Attach share graphic 1]

When it comes to connecting teens & the outdoors, parents & educators play a crucial role. Learn more: neefusa.org #iGenoutside [Attach share graphic 2]

We’re partnering w/ @NEEFusa to empower parents & teachers to increase environmental learning and get #iGenoutside. neefusa.org [Attach share graphic 2]

Parents: When it comes to the #environment, teens take their cues from you! Help us get #iGenoutside. neefusa.org [Attach share graphic 2]

Teachers: Learn how you can incorporate #OutdoorEd & environmental learning into your classroom at [link]. #iGenoutside [Attach share graphic 3]

Share GraphicsPartners can pair the following share graphics with the social media content above, or use them as standalone graphics on websites or in other communication materials.

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Graphic 1

Graphic 2

Graphic 3

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