Education programs at the Cary Institute strive to instill, in all our participants, Ecosystem Literacy   - knowledge of the complexities and connections that exist in the environment around us.  Our Ecosystem Literacy Initiative focuses on understanding how people learn about ecosystems , enhancing  the general understanding of students, policy makers, and the public about ecosystems, and training a new generation of ecologists capable of addressing and solving complex environmental problems.

Human actions are resulting in unprecedented changes to the Earth’s natural systems. Having a public that is literate in ecosystem science and has an understanding of how ecosystems function and why they are important to society is essential.  We believe that Ecosystem Literacy is essential for making informed decisions that balance the tradeoffs that we face, and that consider the long-term consequences of our actions. At the Cary Institute, we are able to bring together scientists, educators, and learners to improve people's understanding of their connections to the world around them.

We strive to translate the best ecological science available into programs for students of all ages, and to enhance the field of education research as we assess student understanding of environmental topics.