An overview of environmental education programs throughout the United States is presented in this Education U.S.A. Special Report by the National School Public Relations Association. Six statewide and seven local programs are described which represent comprehensive and well conceived plans and display outstanding features. However, most programs lacked in some degree three criteria advocated by many authorities in the field: (1) environmentalism should be worked into every subject in the curriculum, (2) environmental education should be part of the school program from kindergarten through high school, and (3) environmental education should operate throughout the entire school year, with some summer experience outdoors if possible. Developments in higher education are also noted together with national programs of environmental education, the philosophy and objectives of environmental education, and a summary of the Environmental Education Act of 1970. (BL)