n ew j ersey c ommission on e nvironmental e ducation

N JCEE

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

NN ew ew J J ersey ersey CC ommission ommission onon

EE nvironmental nvironmental EE ducation ducation

(kids in classroom - photo)

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

(kids doing EE activity outdoors - photo)

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

(teachers receiving EE enrichment - photo)

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

(interpretive program, family - photo)

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

(community projects with mixed ages – photo)

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

(adult learning in indoor classroom – photo)

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTIONEnvironmental education includes:

• The sciences, social studies, health, technology and other disciplines• Green school and “green living” practices• Education about sustainability, energy, ecology and other areas• Education about environmental health, conservation and agriculture• Outdoor education and nature study• Environmental and natural resource management careers

Why environmental education is important

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• Focuses on the relationships that exist between natural systems and human systems• Engages people of all ages• Develops knowledge, attitudes, skills, behaviors• Helps maintain, protect and improve environment

Goal - an environmentally literate citizenry A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• The systems of the natural world and how they inter-relate;• That their choices can either harm or help the environment; • How to deal sensibly with problems that involve science, uncertainty, economic, aesthetic and ethical considerations; and• What they need to do to keep environment healthy and sustain its resources…

An environmentally literate person understands:

About the NJ Commission on Environmental Education

And Interagency Work Group

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• Two state-level groups administered as “in but not of” NJDEP• Created by environmental education legislation• Charged with implementing master plan for environmental education• Represents YOU

Commission and Workgroup Membership A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• Environmental, conservation, civic, youth and faith-based organizations• Teachers, administrators and school boards (K-12), higher education• Business and industry• Nature centers, museums and parks • Environmental health, science and agriculture• State and local government

Revision Process

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• Updated environmental education master plan is needed• Utilizes input and experience from environmental education community• Recognizes emerging opportunities and trends in field• Designed to be five-year planning and action tool

Environmental Education’s Call to Action

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• A call to action to those who teach about the environment• Designed to unite the environmental education community• Purpose is to foster an environmentally literate citizenry• Unified vision, purpose and goals• Framework for local delivery• Recommendations for statewide infrastructure

Intended Users of Revised Plan

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• Formal teachers and school administrators• Non-formal environmental educators, naturalists and administrators• Professionals in various fields in public and private sectors• Organizational leaders, youth educators and volunteers• Students, families and parents

Sections of Plan

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• Commission and Inter-Agency Work Group• Environmental Education and Literacy• Need for EE, locally and Nationally• Purpose, Goals, Design and Intended Audience • Strengthening state level support and infrastructure• Strategic Initiatives for Environmental Education providers • Appendices

Background and Support Information

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• #1: Background, revision process and timeframe• #2: National perspectives and trends in field• #3: New Jersey as “living laboratory” for environmental education

Goals and Guidance for Environmental Education

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• Guiding principles for environmental education• Instructional approaches for delivery• Knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors for environmental literate citizenry

Goals and Action Steps for Planning And Delivery

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• #1: Know and Understand How Ecological Systems Work• #2: Keep Our Environment and Ourselves Healthy• #3: Plan for today and Tomorrow’s Quality of Life• #4: Care for Ecological Systems

Strengthening State Level Support And Infrastructure

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• Capacity building model• How New Jersey measures up• Actions to be taken

Next steps- short term:

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• Feedback on draft plan from intended users and constituent groups• Address feedback and produce final plan• Distribute copies and make available online• Does it suit your needs and interests

Next steps -long term:

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• Communication and updates• Tracking and reporting progress and practices• Annual reports to government leaders and key constituent groups• New revision process in 2013

What is needed from you A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

• Questions from the group• Written responses to our “Essential Questions”• Deadline and methods for submitting feedback• Who to contact with questions

N JCEE

A CALL TO ACTIONA CALL TO ACTION

NN ew ew J J ersey ersey CC ommission ommission onon

EE nvironmental nvironmental EE ducation ducation