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Environmental EducationEnvironmental education is a cornerstone of the science standards in California. In addition to adopting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 2013, the state adopted the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) in 2003 as part of statewide effort to ensure all California K-12 students are environmentally literate. In order to ensure implementation of environmental education, the state formed an Environmental Literacy Task Force which put out A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy that was adopted by California in 2015. This document outlines California's Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&C's) that teachers are responsible for teaching to K-12 students. This means that teachers are responsible for teaching both science and environmental literacy as outlined in A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy and the NGSS.
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Resources
Environmental Education Curriculum Resources from the California Department of Education
Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI)
The Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum integrates education about the environment into core subjects already taught in our K–12 school system – Science and History-Social Science. Access free environmental education lessons and units. (Contact EEI to get the password to access the teacher materials.)
National Park Service (NPS)
National Park Service (NPS) provides free curriculum and education programs. The Channel Islands National Park provides field trip opportunities, park ranger visitation, and other educational programs for Ventura County students, as well as an Island of the Blue Dolphins curriculum. In addition, the Every Kid in a Park program provides free annual passes to all 4th grade students nationwide.
California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC)
The CREEC Network fosters regional partnerships throughout the state of California to promote environmental education and is currently sponsored by the California Department of Education, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, and the California Department of Water Resources. CREEC provides teachers with access to high quality environmental education resources.
California Coastal Commission
California Coastal Commission coordinates events like Coastal Cleanup and Adopt a Beach. Visit the Public Education Programs page for a list of events and grant opportunities.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services provides information about endangered species and coordinates the Schoolyard Habitat program which provides schools with outdoor classroom curriculum. The National Wildlife Federation’s K-12, Nature Play, and Campus Ecology programs provide steps for creating habitat and outdoor classrooms at your place of learning, as well as showcasing how the habitat can be used for cross disciplinary learning.
Project Wild
Project WILD is a wildlife-focused conservation education program for K-12 educators and their students. Emphasizing wildlife because of its intrinsic value, Project WILD addresses the need for human beings to develop as responsible citizens of our planet. Be sure to visit the Curriculum and Resources page and also check out the
Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. Visit the website to access free curriculum, trainings, and grant information.
Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT)
The Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) program is a weeklong summer institute for K-12 teachers that is essentially free. The program brings together natural resource specialists and teachers from rural and urban settings for one week, working side by side to gain a deeper understanding of forest ecosystems and human use of natural resources. The goal of FIT is to provide K-12 teachers with knowledge, skills and tools to effectively teach their students about forest ecology and forest resource management practices.
Project Wet
Project WET develops science education methods and water education curriculum for teachers to explain water resources to children and youth. The website includes two interactive learning sites for children: The Role of Water in Our Lives and Soap and Water Science. Visit the Teach and Learn page for access to free curriculum, workshops and trainings, and books and publications for both teachers and students.
Trout in the Classroom
Trout in the Classroom is a statewide program that provides lessons and materials for teachers to raise trout in the classroom in order for students to learn about watershed science. Teacher workshops are held in the fall and participants receive fish eggs and food.
Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI)
The Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum integrates education about the environment into core subjects already taught in our K–12 school system – Science and History-Social Science. Access free environmental education lessons and units. (Contact EEI to get the password to access the teacher materials.)
National Park Service (NPS)
National Park Service (NPS) provides free curriculum and education programs. The Channel Islands National Park provides field trip opportunities, park ranger visitation, and other educational programs for Ventura County students, as well as an Island of the Blue Dolphins curriculum. In addition, the Every Kid in a Park program provides free annual passes to all 4th grade students nationwide.
California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC)
The CREEC Network fosters regional partnerships throughout the state of California to promote environmental education and is currently sponsored by the California Department of Education, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, and the California Department of Water Resources. CREEC provides teachers with access to high quality environmental education resources.
California Coastal Commission
California Coastal Commission coordinates events like Coastal Cleanup and Adopt a Beach. Visit the Public Education Programs page for a list of events and grant opportunities.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services provides information about endangered species and coordinates the Schoolyard Habitat program which provides schools with outdoor classroom curriculum. The National Wildlife Federation’s K-12, Nature Play, and Campus Ecology programs provide steps for creating habitat and outdoor classrooms at your place of learning, as well as showcasing how the habitat can be used for cross disciplinary learning.
Project Wild
Project WILD is a wildlife-focused conservation education program for K-12 educators and their students. Emphasizing wildlife because of its intrinsic value, Project WILD addresses the need for human beings to develop as responsible citizens of our planet. Be sure to visit the Curriculum and Resources page and also check out the
Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. Visit the website to access free curriculum, trainings, and grant information.
Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT)
The Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) program is a weeklong summer institute for K-12 teachers that is essentially free. The program brings together natural resource specialists and teachers from rural and urban settings for one week, working side by side to gain a deeper understanding of forest ecosystems and human use of natural resources. The goal of FIT is to provide K-12 teachers with knowledge, skills and tools to effectively teach their students about forest ecology and forest resource management practices.
Project Wet
Project WET develops science education methods and water education curriculum for teachers to explain water resources to children and youth. The website includes two interactive learning sites for children: The Role of Water in Our Lives and Soap and Water Science. Visit the Teach and Learn page for access to free curriculum, workshops and trainings, and books and publications for both teachers and students.
Trout in the Classroom
Trout in the Classroom is a statewide program that provides lessons and materials for teachers to raise trout in the classroom in order for students to learn about watershed science. Teacher workshops are held in the fall and participants receive fish eggs and food.
