In environmental education, IPE sees a tool to help celebrate human life and that of other species. Its basis is to enhance values, know-hows and seek ways to motivate the interaction of humans with their environment and, indeed, among themselves.

Environmental education can lead individuals to perceive themselves as critical links in the web of life. As people understand their own value, their self-esteem is raised, which is an indispensable aspect in an empowerment process. They can also increase their respect for nature and thus attain higher goals in the way they relate to the world.

IPÊ reaches over ten thousand persons each year through its environmental education projects. With the promotion of threatened species, be they tamarins or the Red-tailed Amazon, they gradually become symbols of pride for local communities. Many of these species are now the focus of handicraft items taught in workshops IPÊ promotes to those living near protected areas, as a sustainable alternative income. These include designs for puppets, organic loofahs, purses and T-shirts whose sale guarantee a better standard of living for residents and promotes nature conservation.

IPE also emphasizes the habitats of threatened species, which offer endless options for education themes. This allows students to use all senses and emotions to learn more about nature; an important combination that can stimulate new values, including conservation.

IPÊ does not see environmental education as linear. Nevertheless, some stages can be sped-up or slowed-down or even held simultaneously. Both sides of the human brain are taken into consideration as process evolves: a more structured and a more sensitive and value based. Moreover, all participants are encouraged to participate in the different stages, creating a new scenario that can promote changes to a given reality.