About Environmental Education
What You Can Do
ACTION ALERT 1
EE and The No Child Left Behind Act
Background: The No Child Left Inside Coalition is a
national coalition of more than two dozen environmental and
educational groups, representing hundreds of thousands of
teachers, environmental educators and others. The Coalition was
formed to alert Congress and the public to the need for our
public schools to devote more resources and attention to
environmental education.
Goal: The Coalition is working to support proposals
by Rep. John Sarbanes of Maryland and Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode
Island to include environmental education in the
reauthorizations of the No Child Left Behind Act. The proposals
would provide new funding for environmental education,
particularly to develop rigorous standards, train teachers and
to develop statewide environmental literacy plans. They also
propose giving states that develop such environmental literacy
plans access to additional funds. (See executive summary for
more details on the legislation.)
- Update
March 2008 (PDF)
- Action
Alert January 2008 (PDF)
-
Executive Summary (PDF)
- Tips
and Talking Points (PDF)
- Action
Alert July 2007 (PDF)
- More info from NAAEE:
http://www.naaee.org/ee-advocacy/ee-and-the-no-child-left-behind-act
ACTION ALERT 2
Reinstatement of the DPI Environmental Education
Consultant
Please take a few minutes to contact Governor Doyle and request
that he support the reinstatement and funding of the DPI EE
Consultant Position, which was cut in 1994. This position is
vital to Environmental Education in the State of Wisconsin.
Governor Doyle needs to hear how important this position is to
the State, our schools, all teachers, and our state's
environmental health. Contact him today and voice your opinion!
Use the numbers found below, visit the website and contact him
online, or send a letter.
- Madison Office: P.O. Box 7863, Madison, WI 5370;
608-266-1212
- Northern Office: 400 4th Avenue South, Park Falls, WI 54552;
715-762-5900
- Milwaukee Office: Room 560, 819 North 6th St, Milwaukee, WI
53203; 414-227-4344
- Washington, DC Office: 444 North Capitol St NW, Ste 613,
Washington, DC 20001; 202-624-5870
Or you can go to this website and fill out an online form:
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/section.asp?linkid=59&locid=19
Don't forget to also contact the State Superintendent, Elizabeth
Burmaster and voice your opinion as well. Her contact
information is:
elizabeth.burmaster@dpi.state.wi.us;
(800) 441-4563
- Department of Public
Instruction, 125 S. Webster Street, P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI
53707-7841
Copy of the letter sent by the WAEE Board Members (PDF)
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
Web Resources
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
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.