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Involves Everyone

© Carl Cook		© Carl Cook

For nearly 40 years, tens of thousands of teachers across the U.S. have successfully used the environment to help students improve their test scores and their overall knowledge of science, math, reading and language.

From the beginning, our state has been a leader in environmental education (EE). Audubon Washington helps evaluate and support EE efforts.

Research shows that when students immediately apply science, math, reading and writing in an outdoor environment – real-world situations – students to retain information better, are more excited about learning, and have greater interest in further studies.

Audubon Centers and chapters are uniquely positioned to help:

• Connect people with the nature in their neighborhoods
• Introduce people of all ages to environmental learning
• Build a community of environmentally literate people
• Support environmental stewardship

Involves Audubon

© Bill Stickney

Audubon is the only statewide environmental organization that is committed to promoting environmental education in Washington. We believe that more EE will strengthen our school system overall, our communities, and our economy.

Audubon Washington and Audubon activists were instrumental in the creation of and funding for the new Natural Science, Wildlife and Environmental Education Partnership Fund within the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, passed by the 2003 Washington State Legislature.

In 2004 Audubon Washington wrote the Report Card on Environmental Education in Washington (2MB pdf) to brief lawmakers on the status, impact, and benefits of hands-on learning.

Involves You

Parents & Students:

• Tell your school board, parent-teacher association, and elected officials about the benefits of EE.
• Urge community leaders to support and expand environmental education locally.
• Volunteer with a local EE program and recruit others to participate.

Teachers & School Administrators:

• Integrate EE into your curriculum across subjects and grade levels.
• Seek in-service training to learn about outstanding
• EE programs and methods.
• Help local EE providers to meet student needs by aligning activities and curriculum with local, state, and national learning standards.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science urges teachers to take science out of the textbook and into reality and to help students do science rather than learn about it.

© Tom Moore

Washington residents who care about our kids, our communities, and our future can take the following actions to promote environmental education.

Businesspeople & Community Leaders:

• Partner with local school districts and EE providers to enhance student learning.
• Contribute time, products, and services to EE programs in your community.
• Support schools and non-profit partnerships providing EE in your community.

Elected Officials:

• Establish a lead organization or agency to coordinate and promote EE in Washington.
• Appropriate funds for statewide EE strategic planning and grant programs.
• Using national and state guidelines, create standards and programs to provide pre-training and in-service training to EE teachers.

Everyone:

• Join the Environmental Education Association of Washington.
• Participate in the development of a comprehensive strategic plan for EE in Washington.
• Support your local EE network, which can be found at www.eeaw.org.