About Environmental Education
What You Can Do
Join the Wisconsin No Child Left Inside Coalition
The Wisconsin No Child Left Inside
Coalition is working to develop an Environmental Literacy Plan
for Wisconsin that will address the environmental education
needs of Wisconsin's pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade
schools and will pay special attention to creating more
opportunities to get kids outside. The Plan will recommend a
comprehensive strategy to ensure every child graduates with the
environmental skills and knowledge needed to contribute to a
sustainable future.
Wisconsin has a strong environmental education foundation
already established, with active schools, supporting
organizations, and abundant opportunities to get outside in
rural and urban settings. The Environmental Literacy Plan will
build upon these strengths, and suggest priorities for present
and future attention. It will lay out the next steps towards
fulfilling on our State's commitment to ensure all people in
Wisconsin are environmentally literate.
State Superintendent Evers has formally asked the Coalition to
develop the Environmental Literacy Plan for Wisconsin. A
Steering Committee meets each month to draft the Plan. The
Wisconsin No Child Left Inside Coalition Steering Committee is
made up of a wide array of representatives from around the
state. The broader Coalition is kept updated on progress,
provides input and feedback to guide the plan development, and
ultimately, will play a key role in implementing and evaluating
Wisconsin's Environmental Literacy Plan.
Join now in support of Wisconsin Environmental Literacy Plan!
Current list of Wisconsin’s NCLI Members
More Information about Wisconsin’s NCLI Coalition
National NCLI Coalition
The Wisconsin NCLI Coalition works in
partnership with the National NCLI Coalition. The National
Coalition consists of nearly 1500 business, health, youth,
faith, recreational, and environmental and educational groups
representing over 47.5 million Americans. The Coalition was
formed to alert Congress and the public to the need for our
schools to devote more resources and attention to environmental
education.
The National Coalition is working to support legislation
sponsored by Rep. John Sarbanes of Maryland and Sen. Jack Reed
of Rhode Island to ensure that every student achieves basic
environmental literacy. The No Child Left Inside Act would amend
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left
Behind) to include environmental education for the first time.
The legislation would provide new funding for environmental
education, particularly to develop rigorous standards, train
teachers and to develop state environmental literacy plans. It
also proposes giving states that develop such environmental
literacy plans access to additional funds.
Join the National No Child Left Inside Coalition
National No Child Left Inside Coalition Web Site
Tips and Talking Points
Communicating with Elected State
Officials
Even when it's not a budget or election year, WAEE must remain
visible to legislators on state and local levels. The state of
the economy and local quality of life directly affect the
environmental education efforts in Wisconsin cities, towns and
rural areas.
Useful information on making the EE voice heard in
Wisconsin
Developing Effective Messages (PDF)
Legislator Contact Tips - General protocol, personal visits,
letter writing (including template), and phone calls (PDF)
Bill to
Law (PDF) -
How a bill becomes a law in Wisconsin and what you can do
Campaign for Environmental Literacy
http://www.fundee.org
The Campaign for Environmental Literacy helps the environmental
education community advocate for increased federal funding
dedicated to environmental literacy.
Volunteer
You can support a local EE center or organization by
volunteering your time. Help with a special event, assist with
mailings, or work with visitors - your efforts will be
appreciated. Contact your local EE providers to find out how you
can help!
Donate
Do you think
environmental education is a worthwhile investment? We do too!
State Employees
Investing in environmental education is easier than ever. If you
or someone you know is an employee of the state of Wisconsin,
you can support your favorite environmental education
organizations through the State Employees Combined
Campaign (SECC). The campaign allows state employees to
give to participating charities of their choice through a direct
payroll deduction, cash, check, or credit card. The Wisconsin
Environmental Education Foundation is one of twelve umbrella
groups in the campaign, and all of its members provide
environmental education opportunities throughout Wisconsin
(members include: Wisconsin Association for Environmental
Education, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin,
Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Wisconsin Land and Water
Conservation Association, and the Wisconsin Wildlife
Federation).
Please consider giving to WAEE via the Wisconsin Environmental
Education Foundation campaign through direct payroll deduction.
The State Employees Combined Campaign, and workplace giving in
general, is one of the most effective and efficient fund-raising
tools for non-profits. The Campaign has extremely low overhead
costs so virtually every penny of your donation goes directly to
the charity of your choice—saving them the usual expense of
direct mailings and other enrollment techniques. With more than
470 non-profits to choose from in all, there is sure to be
something for everyone. For WAEE members, the campaign is an
easy and meaningful way to invest in environmental education and
your association. Learn more:
http://www.secc.wi.gov/
Non-state
Employees
The Wisconsin Environmental Education Foundation
works to improve the quality of life for all Wisconsin citizens
through investments in environmental education. They support
innovative projects that empower people of all ages with the
knowledge and desire to make choices that lead to the long-term
health of our environment, economy, and people. Funds raised by
the Wisconsin Environmental Education Foundation are used to
pursue the goals and priorities identified in the strategic
Plan for Advancing Environmental Education in Wisconsin and
to extend the impact of the WEEB grants program.
No matter how large or how small, your donation will make a positive difference. The Wisconsin Environmental Education Foundation is a 501c3 organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To learn more or make a donation visit: www.wisconsineefoundation.org.