Environmental Literacy in North Carolina

North Carolina’s Environmental Literacy Plan The goal of the plan is to produce high school graduates who have the ability to make informed decisions about issues that affect shared natural resources while balancing cultural perspectives, the economy, public health and the environment.

NC Environmental Literacy Plan Partnership between the Departments of Public Instruction and Environment and Natural Resources Plan was developed by DPI and DENR in partnership with Environmental Educators of North Carolina, the state professional association for environmental educators, and the NC Association of Environmental Education Centers, with additional input from a wide range stakeholders in the education and environmental communities. Not a mandate but rather a guiding document for NC public schools. Conducted two public input sessions and received feedback from teachers, principals, environmental education professionals and college and university faculty. Next step is to seek adoption by the State Board of Education

Three main objectives: Objective 1 : Show how the state’s PreK-12 educational system will prepare students to understand, analyze, and address major environmental challenges facing the state and the nation. Objective 2: Provide field experiences as part of the regular school curriculum and create programs that contribute to healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation and sound nutrition. Objective 3: Create opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development for teachers that improve their environmental knowledge and skills in teaching students about environmental issues, including the use of interdisciplinary, field- based and research-based learning as well as innovative technology in the classroom.

North Carolina’s environmental literacy plan is structured into four main components that will enable the state to meet these objectives: Component 1: Educational Standards How the state’s academic content standards and graduation requirements relate to environmental literacy; Component 2: Professional Development Teacher professional development opportunities that should be implemented to support environmental literacy of students; Component 3: Model School Grounds and Facilities How model school grounds and facilities will incorporate environmentally responsible practices and provide spaces for interaction with the natural environment; and Component 4: Measuring Environmental Literacy How the state will measure the environmental literacy of students.

Requirements Criteria I: Instructional Workshops Total of 70 hours of workshops from the list of Criteria I Approved Workshops and Courses. (*Basics of EE and Methods of Teaching EE required) Criteria II: EE Experiences in the Out-of-Doors Total of 50 hours of structured outdoor experiences with a minimum of one hour and a maximum of 10 hours per experience. Criteria III: Knowledge of EE Resources and Facilities Total of 30 hours with a minimum of one hour and a maximum of 10 hours per experience. Criteria IV: Teaching Total of 30 hours: Including 20 hours of actual teaching, 10 of which must be conducted outdoors. Up to 10 hours of preparation and/or follow-up time may be counted. Criteria V: Community Action Partnership Minimum of 20 hours

Program Goals Build leaders and organizations across the state that provide quality EE Establish standards for professional excellence Improve environmental literacy among educators Foster community leadership Provide practical EE teaching methods

Build Leaders and Organizations that provide quality EE 200+ Environmental Education Centers Certified Environmental Educators Searchable database of 500+ organizations Program providers in every region

Establish Standards for Professional Excellence 30+ Criteria I Workshops - NAAEE's Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators

Improve Environmental Literacy Among Educators Increase the number of PreK-12 Classroom Teachers and Nonformal Educators participating in: EE professional development programs Instructor-led outdoor experiences Visits to nature centers, parks, museums, etc. University and College Seminars and courses

Foster Community Leadership Community Partnership Lead a partnership that will have a positive effect on the community and that will increase environmental awareness and understanding.

Susan Parker, Ahoskie, NC (Hertford County) Susan is a second grade teacher at Buckland Elementary School. Her Community Partnership - For Susan's Community Partnership she completed an outdoor classroom for her school which includes a tracking station, butterfly garden, trails and bridges, a pond, and a weather/outdoor calendar center. She partnered with Ranger Jane from Merchants Millpond State Park to guide every student in her class to become certified junior rangers this year. They plan to repeat the process every year.

Provide Practical EE Teaching Methods Basics of Environmental Education – Independent Study Methods of Teaching EE Workshop Correlate to Common Core State and NC Essential Standards

Accomplishments Instituted NAAEE guidelines for professional development of educators Increased teachers’ participation in EE professional development Created an online searchable directory of EE programs and materials Increased outreach to nonformal educators Training for educators teaching Earth/Environmental Science

Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs provides a central location for information on EE resources, facilities, programs, schools, and grants and works to increase access to EE resources. Program Outreach

Searchable Calendar

Environmental Education Centers

What do N.C. Certified Educators Get? Professional development and EE content Experiences in outdoors Practical EE Teaching Methods Knowledge of foundational Theories and Practices of EE Visits to Environmental Education Centers Knowledge of available EE resources, organizations and programs Experience as a community leader