Wisconsin has long been a national leader in environmental
stewardship. Starting with Aldo Leopold’s land ethic, and fueled by
Gaylord Nelson’s Earth Day, Wisconsin passed the most meaningful and
comprehensive plan for protecting our natural resources of any state
in the union; a plan for environmental education.
Wisconsin began its commitment to education about the environment
in the 1930s by requiring instruction in the conservation of natural
resources at both the elementary and secondary levels. Since then,
many local and statewide education organizations have supported the
effort.
In 1990, the state legislature created the
Wisconsin
Environmental Education Board (WEEB) to provide leadership in
assessing educational needs and establishing statewide priorities
for environmental education. The Wisconsin Environmental Education
Board has taken this charge very seriously and over the past sixteen
years has been diligent in developing and monitoring strategic plans
for the delivery of high quality, comprehensive environmental
education for all segments of society.
Through the development of teacher training programs in the
University of Wisconsin System, local efforts to create nature
centers and EE classrooms, the creation of the
Wisconsin
Center for Environmental Education (WCEE), the formation of the
Wisconsin
Association of Environmental Education (WAEE), and the
establishment of the
Wisconsin
Environmental Education Board (WEEB), Wisconsin residents have
made real progress towards integrating environmental themes into our
children’s formal education as well as providing continuing
education opportunities for adults. The continued success of these
efforts is made possible by the dedication of Wisconsin teachers, by
support from the North
American Association for Environmental Education and the
Environmental
Education and Training Partnership and by generous contributions
from private businesses and individuals.
In 2005, the Wisconsin Environmental Education Foundation was
created to develop private support and funding for environmental
education. Through an effective public-private partnership, we will
ensure strategic leadership, informed citizenry, measurable progress
toward goals, and innovative projects that promote economic vitality
and healthy communities.
