Our Mission

Caretakers of the Environment International/USA (Caretakers/USA) empowers youth with knowledge and skills for environmental leadership.  Caretakers/USA is unique because it reaches out to high school students and teachers with diverse interests and abilities; involves them in community action; and develops a spirit of national and international cooperation required for environmental problem solving. 

This non-profit, tax exempt, 501(c)3, non-governmental organization is funded by the Nalco Foundation and by corporate and individual donations.  Its members participate in local, national, and international environmental projects; meet at conferences; and share ideas via computers and publications.  These activities improve science education, encourage young people to pursue scientific and environmental careers, and develop citizens who want to protect the world's environment. 

Caretakers/USA is modeled on and affiliated with Caretakers of the Environment International (CEI).  In 1989 CEI was established as a foundation in the Netherlands.  Today, it has groups in more than 69 countries and national networks in USA, Canada, Netherlands, Portugal, India, Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, Pakistan and other nations.  Members communicate through the CEI magazine The Global Forum for Environmental Education, letters, and computer networking.

CEI was an accredited organization at the Earth Summit, honored by the Global Assembly of Women and Environment and by Renew America.

Each year, CEI has a bilingual (English + another language) conference in a different country.  Delegates set up exhibits and report on projects; examine environmental issues and share ideas about environmental education.  The host country becomes a laboratory in which the conference theme is explored.  Tours, discussions, and social events promote respect for different cultures and create awareness of global environmental concerns. 

Caretakers conferences:  1987 - the Hague, Netherlands on The Sea; Pollution or Protection;  1988 - Valsain, Spain on Natural and Cultural Heritage;  1989 - Oak Park, Illinois USA on Technology and the Environment;  1990 - Bristol, England on Environment: Conflict or Cooperation;  1991 - Cusco, Peru on Environment and Development;  1992 - Troia, Portugal on Tourism and the Environment;  1993 - Truro, Nova Scotia Canada on Natural Resources and the Environment;  1994 - Aberdeen, Scotland on Sustainability,  1995 - Murmansk, Russia on The Arctic and the Environment; 1996 - Heerlen, The Netherlands on Development and Research in Environmental Education.  The 1997 conference was held in Har Ha - Negev, Israel.  The topic was Environment and Communications.  The 1998 conference was a joint conference with the Republic of  Ireland and Northern Ireland hosting.  The topic was Management of the Rural Environment (M.O.R.E.) Co-operation or Conflict.  The 1999 conference was held in Costa Rica and the topic was Biodiversity, Environment and Sustainable Development.  The 2000 conference was  held in Sweden with the topic being Clean Production: Preventive Strategies for the Environment.  The 2001 conference was held in South Africa, the topic being Cultural Diversity and Sustainable Tourism.  The 2002 conference was held in Italy, the topic being Sustainable Mobility.  The 2003 conference was held in Kenya, the topic being Education and Sustainable Development in the Rural Environment. The 2004 conference was held in Thessaloniki, Greece. The conference theme was Agenda 21: Educating for a Sustainable Future. The 2005 conference will be held in U.S.A., the topic being: Forging New Partnerships with the Economic Community. The 2006 conference was held in Poland the topic being Youth for Sustainable Development. The 2007 conference was held in Hong Kong, the topic being How to live in Harmony with the Environment through Active Participation. The 2008 conference will be held in Denmark. Argentina and India will be future conference sites.

Caretakers/USA was established in 1990 with offices in Arizona and Illinois.  It promotes sustainable development -economic progress with environmental protection- through environmental education.  Caretakers/USA chapters include 26 high schools in 11 states and one territory.

Projects of Caretakers groups are very diverse and have been reported at state and local meetings.  They include: 

•  Adopt-a-Block anti-litter program.

•  Horticulture to improve science education on school grounds.

•  Eco-Art

•  Cultural Heritage Restoration

Members share ideas and projects through the Caretakers/USA newsletter, computer networking and the Global Forum for Environmental Education magazine. 

In 1989, a Caretakers of the Environment International conference was held in the USA on Technology and the Environment.  More than 300 students and teachers from more than 34 nations and 10 states attended. 

In 1990, Caretakers/USA signed an agreement of cooperation with the Midwest Center for U.S. Initiatives and the Russian Ministry of Education.

In 1991 and 1992 we worked to obtain 50l(c)3 tax exempt status.  In 1995 a letter was received from the Internal Revenue Service continuing our status.

In 1993, Caretakers/USA was featured in the Congressional Record.

From 1988 through 1997 the only conference not attended by Caretakers/USA schools was in Peru (1991) when we were not permitted to attend by U. S. Governmental policy.

In 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Caretakers/USA gave a workshop at the National Association of Biology Teachers Convention.

In 1995, 1996, 1997 Caretakers/USA gave a workshop at the National Science Teachers Association Convention.

In 1995, Caretakers/USA made a presentation at the Council of State Science Supervisors meeting.

In July, 1995, Caretakers/USA was a co-host for the National Partners for the Planet Youth Summit.  More than 1000 students attended this youth-run conference. 

In 1996, 1997 Caretakers/USA made a presentation at the North American Association for Environmental Education Convention.

In July, 1996 Caretakers/USA made a presentation to a Middle East delegation (Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt and Palestinian representatives) sponsored by the Education Development Center, Inc.

In 2000 Caretakers/USA was featured in the Congressional Record.

In 2001 Caretakers/USA developed a Grant Program.

In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 Caretakers/USA helped sponsor an Environmental Conference with the Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Caretakers/USA works cooperatively with many other organizations including Tree Musketeers, the United Nation Environment Programme and Global Rivers Environmental Education Project, and Illinois Rivers Project.

Caretakers/USA and CEI support comes from Kathleen A. McGinty, Director, White House Office of Environmental Policy;   Hon. Al Gore, Vice President of the United States of America (Retired);   Hon. Bill Bradley - U. S. Senator (Retired);   Hon. Barbara Boxer - U. S. Senator;   Hon. Herb Kohl - U. S. Senator;   Hon. Jon Kyl - U. S. Senator;   Hon. John McCain - U. S. Senator;   Hon. Carol Moseley-Braun - U. S. Senator (Retired);  Hon. Paul Simon - U. S. Senator (Retired);   Hon. Alan J. Dixon - former U. S. Senator;   Hon. Dennis DeConcini - former U. S. Senator;   Hon. Henry J. Hyde - U. S. Congressman;   Hon. John Porter - U. S. Congressman (Retired);   Hon. S. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. - U. S. Congressman;   Phillip  Rock - past president, Illinois State Senate;   Dr. Joan Martin-Brown, Special Advisor to the Executive Director Chief UNEP, Washington, D.C. Office;   Dr. Noel Brown - Past Director, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP);   Donald Lesh - executive director, Global Tomorrow Coalition;   Prince Philip, Buckingham Palace, London, England;   International Chamber of Commerce;  Center for our Common Future;  Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe; International Rotary, Joanne Fox-Przeworski, Director, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP); and Dr. Leon M. Lederman, Nobel Prize in Physics.

Immediate Goals

1.  To assist in establishing Caretakers groups in secondary schools across the United States.

2.  To involve students in the Seeds of Biodiversity Project - identifying, preserving, categorizing, exchanging and planting seeds as part of the Caretakers of the Environment International network.

3.  To promote Caretakers projects through cooperation with the Council of State Science Supervisors, the National Science Teachers Association, the National Association of Biology Teachers and the   North American Association for Environmental Education.

 4.  To disseminate information throughout the Caretakers/USA network through the Caretakers/USA newsletter and through the CEI network - via Global Forum for Environmental Education, conference reports and electronic mail. 

5.  To set up a Caretakers/USA bulletin board on Internet.

6.  To encourage matchmaking - joint projects of Caretakers groups in different schools, states, and countries.

Long Term Goals

1.  To increase participation and cooperation with other environmental and educational groups.

2.  To train students for coastal restoration - a CEI project.

3.  Starting in 2005, to host yearly national conferences at which students from all 50 states and territories are represented.

4.  To develop a national and international database of environmental action projects.

5.  To provide students and teachers with continuing access to business, government, and environmental decision makers.

6.  To develop ongoing exchanges, study visits, and environmental action projects with students and teachers in various parts of the United States and in other countries.

As Caretakers/USA extends its network of high school students and teachers to every state, it will prepare youth for thinking globally about environmental issues and working cooperatively with youth in other states and countries.  Our organization will contribute to the success of Agenda 21 by inspiring youth to become environmental leaders in business, industry, science, and government.  Caretakers of the Environment International/USA invites you to join us in this vital endeavor. 

Contact Information

Electronic mail

Edward C. Radatz

Isabel S. Abrams