With the holiday season just around the corner, we are pleased to distribute another issue of the EE Advocate. Amy Kowalski, our Program Assistant is now fully in charge of newsletter production. Congratulations Amy on another expertly crafted newsletter! Our thanks also go out to those who contributed articles to this issue: Nalani McCutcheon (MN) Michelle Kirk (UT), Gary Smith (CA), Jeff Ledermann (MN), Claudia Fowler (LA), David Starnes (NAAEE), Elaine Hampton (NM), Tim Byers (WI), Mike Kaspar (EETAP), and Tracie Beasley (NEEAP). The updates and perspectives of our state and national partners are what make the EE Advocate an effective voice for EE capacity building nation-wide.

This 8-page issue of the EE Advocate provides updates on states as well as two new regional capacity building efforts. If you are not yet "thinking globally, acting regionally (as well as locally…)" you may be inspired to do so after learning about the Rocky Mountain States regional project and the California Regional EE Coordinators network. Initiatives like these are creating opportunities for EE capacity building support to a broader network of state and local EE practitioners than ever before.

In support of the "branching-out" of EE capacity building networks, NEEAP is providing coordination for the development of EE2000 Lead Teams and a national EE Barter Network, as well as advancing our use of electronic communication tools. This issue of the EE Advocate features an article about newsletter production, and one about strategies for increasing teacher attendance at state EE conferences. There is no end to the expertise that EE practitioners have to share with one another.

On the national front, NEEAP’s leading sponsor EETAP (through USEPA) has welcomed a new partner, Project del Rio. See page 6 for information about EETAP's new partner and other updates. Additionally, NAAEE’s Capacity Building Commission has established a chat room on the topic of EE capacity building on EdGateway (http://www.edgateway.com). Please visit this site and provide your input on strategies needed to increase the amount and impact of EE capacity building programs at the local, state and national levels.

In Washington, the Teaming with Wildlife bill has finally been introduced after several years in the making. This bill proposes off-shore oil and gas revenues to fund coastal impact assistance, land-based recreation, and wildlife conservation. Under Title III of this legislation, significant funds would be directed to states for more opportunities for education and recreation. To inquire further about this initiative, contact your state wildlife or natural resource agency or the Teaming with Wildlife website at http://www.teaming.com. Unfortunately, the National EE Act reintroduction failed in the last session of Congress.