Tag: Environmental Literacy

April Events in Singapore

In April, we celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, a special time to think about our planet. Check out some events this month to join the movement for a greener world.

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In April, we celebrate Earth Day! April 22nd is a special time to think about our planet. But it’s important to remember that caring for the Earth isn’t just for one day—it’s for every day! Check out some events this month to join the movement for a greener world.

1. The Young Explorers Program

Time: July through August 2024

Organiser: OceanX

Description:

The Ocean X Young Explorer’s Programme offers an immersive and educational experience for students aged 18-22 aboard the OceanXplorer. Participants engage in 1 to 10-day adventures, exploring marine life, ocean conservation, and the latest oceanographic research. The programme aims to inspire a deeper understanding of ocean exploration and foster a sense of responsibility towards protecting marine ecosystems. Young Explorers 2024 will feature various missions taking place in Indonesia throughout July and August. 

OceanXplorer, the most advanced exploration, research and media vessel is currently based in Singapore for half of year in 2024. 

Applications for the OceanX Young Explorers Program 2024 are currently open and will close on the 5th of April. 

Click here to learn more.

2. Farmers’ Market: Easter Egg-stravaganza Edition

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Sat, 6th of April

Location: City Sprouts Henderson, 102 Henderson Road

Organiser: City Sprouts

Description:

The Farmer’s Market Easter Egg-stravaganza Edition is an engaging Easter event that promotes buying local and adopting eco-friendly practices. The Farm Animal Experience includes workshops on the frog life cycle, insights into the life of chickens, and an exploration of composting creepy crawlies. Additionally, the event offers a farmer’s market showcasing a diverse range of fresh produce and artisanal products.

Click here to learn more.

3. Stride with Marcel (Clean Up)

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Sat, 6th of April

Location: City Plaza

Organiser: Stridy

Description:

Litter poses risks to our environment by polluting the air, water, and soil, threatening wildlife, and providing habitats for pests. Join ‘Stride with Marcel’ to actively contribute to our environment! Striding entails collecting litter while walking, running, or hiking. You can make a meaningful impact by taking part in routine clean-up activities, helping to keep our urban community clean and thriving. 

Click here to learn more.

4. Zero Market: Fash up by the Pond

Time: 9:00a.m. – 2:00p.m., 6th – 7th of April

Place: Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, 30A Yishun Central 1, Singapore 768796

Organiser: Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre 慈济人文青年中心

Description:

The Zero • Market is a sustainable lifestyle market that offers fresh produce and sustainable goods, aiming to reduce waste with Zero Meat and Zero Plastic. It occurs every first and third weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of the month unless otherwise specified. Visit the Zero Market and remember to bring your own bag! This month’s event, Fash up by the Pond, features an open wardrobe, green products, and information sharing.

Click here to learn more.

5. Eco Fair @ Katong 

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., 11th to 14th April

Location:  i12 Katong

Organiser: City Sprouts & i12Katong

Description:

As April marks Earth month, City Sprouts is delighted to bring you their Eco-Fair at i12 Katong! From learning about upcycling fabric and other materials to discovering how to make natural scrubs and grow microgreens, the Eco Fair offers hands-on experiences for everyone interested in living more sustainably.

Click here to learn more.

6. Earth x Fashion 3.0 @ Weave Suites – Midtown

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., 15th – 24th of April

Location: Weave Suites – Midtown, 33 Jalan Sultan

Organiser: Cloop

Description:

In conjunction with Fashion Revolution Week 2024, “Earth x Fashion 3.0: Weave Suites Midtown” is a ten-day event from April 15 to 24 focusing on sustainable fashion. It showcases eco-friendly designs, materials, and production methods. Attendees can explore trends like upcycling and zero-waste design, join workshops on circular economy principles and reducing fashion waste, and engage with experts on ethical sourcing and technology in fashion. Join us in shaping a sustainable future for fashion!

Click here to learn more.

7. Wasted: What we Throw Away Doesn’t go Away

Time: 7:00 a.m, Mon, 22nd of April

Location: Cineleisure

Organiser: The Projector

Description:

“Wasted” is a thought-provoking documentary film that explores the global issue of food waste and its environmental impact. Through compelling storytelling and interviews with experts, “Wasted” sheds light on innovative solutions and initiatives to reduce food waste and create a more sustainable food system. It challenges viewers to rethink their consumption habits and consider the environmental and social implications of food waste.

Click here to learn more.

8. For the Love of Land 

Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., 27th of April

Location: Common Ground Civic Centre & Consultancy

Organiser: Moving Earth Film

Description:

“For the Love of Land” initiates a dialogue on land stewardship, spotlighting Singapore’s changing landscape. This event includes the official screening of the film “Moving Earth,” which explores themes of environmental sustainability and land conservation. The conversation will be joined by experts and activists in the field, offering insights into sustainable land management practices, biodiversity conservation, and the importance of environmental stewardship.

This event serves as a fundraising platform for #GUIsBigMove. It is jointly organised by The Roving Studio and Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) with venue support by Common Ground Civic Centre & Consultancy.

Click here to learn more.

9. Nature and Sustainability Tour: Energy and Water

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Sat, 27th of April

Location: Bayfront Plaza Shuttle Station, Bayfront MRT (Exit B)

Organiser: Gardens by the Bay

Description:

The “Nature and Sustainability Tour: Energy and Water” takes participants on an immersive journey through Gardens by the Bay, focusing on environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Attendees will discover energy-efficient solutions and water conservation strategies through the guided tour and interactive activities. 

Click here to sign up.

There are currently 6 routes under the Nature and Sustainability tour. They are available every Saturday and Sunday. 

10. Repair Kopitiam

Time: Sunday, 28th of April 

Place: Various locations 

Organiser: Repair Kopitiam 

Description:

Repair Kopitiam is an initiative designed to combat the disposable culture by offering a platform where individuals can mend their personal belongings with guidance and assistance from volunteer “Repair Coaches”. This do-it-yourself (DIY) repair event takes place on the final Sunday of each month at different locations throughout the country. To participate, attendees need to schedule a specific timeslot and are allowed to bring up to two items for repair during each session.

Read event house rules here.

The Weird and Wonderful: Saga Tree

The Saga, also known as the Lucky Red Seed or Red Bead Tree, is an iconic tree in Singapore’s landscape. It is a large tree that grows up to 20 metres tall. It belongs to the legume family and, like other legumes such as soybeans and peanuts, their seeds come in a pod.

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In this series, we showcase the diversity of rare, peculiar, and fascinating native flora and fauna in Singapore. We enthusiastically invite you to explore our nature reserves and gardens, urging you to pause and observe your surroundings—whether by looking up or down—to see if you can catch a glimpse of these unique wonders.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la 🎵 🎶

It’s holiday season! There are many traditions associated with the Christmas season. And many of these traditions involve plants. Evergreen trees are typically used as Christmas trees, poinsettias are well-liked for their red ornamental leaves, and holly adorn the halls with its bright red berries. However, it is worth noting that these plants do not thrive in tropical regions and are certainly not found in the Singapore landscape.

Saga

Common name: Saga

Scientific name: Adenanthera Pavonina

The Saga, with its lush green foliage and vibrant red seeds, resemble the holly in some ways.

Both plants have evergreen leaves, which means they retain their green colour throughout the year. The holly has red berries and spiky leaves and adds colour to the dark days of Yule. It symbolises peace and goodwill during the holiday season.

The saga is best known for its brilliant red seeds. The glossy heart-shaped seeds symbolise love in many cultures and are used as decoration or as lucky charms.

Image Courtesy of Mauricio Mercadante

In the past, saga seeds were tools used to measure silver and gold in ancient India and Sri Lanka. The seeds have a uniform weight and size: four seeds make up exactly 1 gram.

The Saga, also known as the Lucky Red Seed or Red Bead Tree, is an iconic tree in Singapore’s landscape. It is a large tree that grows up to 20 metres tall. It belongs to the legume family and, like other legumes such as soybeans and peanuts, their seeds come in a pod.

Image Courtesy of Dinesh Valke

The saga bears long curved fruit pods. When young, the fruit pods are green and nearly straight. As they mature, they transform into a woody brown colour, curl and twist, and eventually split open to reveal the striking red seeds.

Image courtesy of JNZL

The saga is native to India and Southern China , but has been naturalised in many countries in the tropics––throughout Singapore, Malaysia, Africa, Pacific and the Caribbean Islands. It is grown for forage, as a medicinal plant, or an ornamental tree in gardens and park. Its young leaves can be cooked and eaten, and the raw seeds are toxic but maybe be eaten when cooked.

Naturalised plants are plants that have been introduced to non-native environments and are able to grow and reproduce in the wild in their new home. All “alien invasive plants” or “non-native invasive species” are considered naturalised.

The saga is a common shade tree. It has a large spreading crown, and light feathery foliage, and are ideal for providing cover. It is hardy, fast growing, and easy to care for. They grew along the roadsides in Singapore during the 1970s and 1980s.

The leaves of saga trees undergo seasonal shedding for brief periods every 6-8 months, when the pale-green leaflets turn yellow and fall off. However, due to the significant amount of leaf litter and seeds they drop, saga trees have been deemed unfit for roadside locations. They can make roads messy and pose risks to motorists. Furthermore, saga trees are susceptible to damage in cases of strong winds.

Image Courtesy of Nparks Flora & Fauna Web

Today, saga trees can be found in secondary forests, but few remain in our urban landscape. Several aged saga trees have become landmarks across Singapore, and serve as symbols of historical significance.

A saga tree with Heritage Tree status is at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, near the Lady on a Hammock sculpture. It is a large tree with a girth of 4.68 metres and a height of 13.1 metres. According to Nparks, this tree is believed to be well over 100 years old. 

Image Courtesy of Nparks

You will also find a saga tree grove at Gallop Extension. Spot the larger-than-life saga seeds by Singapore-based contemporary artist Kumari Nahappan that mark the grove. Amongst the cluster of Adenanthera Pavonina saga trees, there is one much rarer native Adenanthera malayana species whose saga seeds are black and red.

Image Courtesy of Global Cultural Aliance

If you come across saga trees in the wild, we encourage you to capture photos and document your observations. We especially recommend using the local SGBioAtlas app or the iNaturalist app, which enables you to share and validate your findings within the community.

Discover the wonders of nature, observe the intricacies of the world around you, and let curiosity be your guide. Happy exploring!

📷 Post your findings on social media and tag us on Instagram or Facebook.

The Weird and Wonderful: The Sunbird

These small agile birds, measuring 9 to 15cm long, are a common sign in the island’s green spaces––in gardens and nature parks. Here are a few sunbird species that you might encounter in Singapore:

cover-photo

In this series, we showcase the diversity of rare, peculiar, and fascinating native flora and fauna in Singapore. We enthusiastically invite you to explore our nature reserves and gardens, urging you to pause and observe your surroundings—whether by looking up or down—to see if you can catch a glimpse of these unique wonders.

The Sunbird

Have you seen a sunbird flitting from flower to flower and thought… hummingbird? 

These small agile birds, measuring 9 to 15cm long, are a common sign in the island’s green spaces––in gardens and nature parks. They live primarily on nectar and sometimes feed on small insects. Because of their small size and nectar-feeding behaviour, it is easy to mistake them for hummingbirds.

Image courtesy of Mendis Tan via Nparks Flora Fauna Web

But you won’t find hummingbirds in this part of the world­­. Unlike hummingbirds, sunbirds rarely hover while feeding and usually perch to feed.

Sunbirds have long, curved bills that can reach deep into flowers, making them effective pollinators––particularly tubular flowers that bees and butterflies find difficult to access. By aiding in pollination, sunbirds help to maintain the beauty and diversity of plant life in Singapore, contributing to the balance and health of the local ecosystem. Their bills also allow them to feed on fruits when flowers are unavailable and hunt for insects and spiders to feed their young. 

Sunbirds are Old World birds from the family Nectariniidae. They are native to Asia, Africa, and Australasia.

In tropical regions, sunbirds mate and breed throughout the year. The males are brightly coloured, almost iridescent, and often larger than females. They build hanging purse-like nests and usually lay two eggs at a time.

Image courtesy of Jim Bendon

They are often seen in pairs and are monogamous, meaning they have only one partner and mate for life. You might even see them in small family groups! Sunbirds live up to 7 years in the wild and generally stay in one area from birth to death.

Here are a few sunbird species that you might encounter in Singapore:

Images courtesy of (left) Nparks Flora Fauna Web, (right) Lip Kee Yap

Common name: Olive-backed Sunbird, Yellow-breasted Sunbird

Scientific name: Cinnyris jugularis

The Olive-backed Sunbird, also known as the yellow-bellied sunbird, is the most common sunbird found in Singapore. They often build their nests on the tip of branches or on fences. Males boasts a vibrant metallic-blue forehead, throat and breast, olive-green upperparts and a contrasting yellow chest; females are yellow with dull olive brown upperparts. 

Images courtesy of (left) Doug Janson, (right) Jason Thompson

Common name: Brown-throated Sunbird, Plain-throated Sunbird

Scientific name: Anthreptes malacensis

The Brown-throated Sunbird is another common sunbird that can be spotted in coastal areas, mangrove habitats, parks, and gardens. Males display a distinctive brown throat, a metallic-green head and neck, purple wings, and a lemon-yellow belly; females are dull olive. 

Images courtesy of (left) Krishna Prajapati, (right) Rejaul Karim

Common name: Crimson Sunbird

Scientific name: Aethopyga siparaja

The Crimson Sunbird has earned the unofficial title of Singapore’s national bird, resonating with the moniker “the little red dot” often used to describe the island on world maps. Males exhibit a bright red colour with a grey belly and greenish-black tail; females are dull olive-green with a pale yellow belly and dull-green tail.

Images courtesy of (left) Nparks Flora Fauna Web, (right) Gerard Chartier

Common name: Copper-throated Sunbird 

Scientific name: Leptocoma calcostetha

The Copper-throated Sunbird is one of the larger species of sunbirds. They are found predominantly in coastal areas and mangroves. It prefers to feed on the nectar of flowers of Bruguiera trees. They are in danger of habitat loss in Singapore due to the degradation and destruction of mangroves. Males appear dark all over with an iridescent green crown and shoulder, copper-coloured throat and upper breast; females are olive with a yellow belly, a pale-grey head and throat and an incomplete white eye ring.

If you come across a sunbird in the wild, we encourage you to capture photos and document your observations. We especially recommend using the local SGBioAtlas app or the iNaturalist app, which enables you to share and validate your findings within the community.

Discover the wonders of nature, observe the intricacies of the world around you, and let curiosity be your guide. Happy exploring!

📷 Post your findings on social media and tag us on Instagram or Facebook.

Air Pollution and Environmental justice

Hi, welcome to The Poppy Podcast. I’m your host, Poppy. In this episode, I talk to Michael Newman, an environmental scientist who studies the impact of air pollution on people of different races, ethnicities and income levels.

Air Pollution and Environmental justice

Transcript

Poppy:

Hi, welcome to The Poppy Podcast. I’m your host, Poppy. In this episode, I talk to Michael Newman, an environmental scientist who studies the impact of air pollution on people of different races, ethnicities and income levels. We will explore how air pollution disproportionally affects low-income families and people of color. 

(dial tone)

Poppy:

Hi, Michael. Thank you for speaking with me on this very important matter. We all know that air pollution can cause severe health issues like asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. Does air pollution affect some people more than others? Who exactly are these people?  What does your research tell you?

Michael:

Hi, Poppy. Thanks for having me. Well… air pollution, intensified by climate change, does affect people differently. Many studies show that children, the elderly and people from low-income families are the most affected. Those living close to sources of pollution like fossil fuel power plants are also more vulnerable to air pollution related health problems. And when we look at people’s exposure to air pollution based on who they are — like their race, ethnicity and income level — we find that people of color have a much higher exposure rate than white people.  

Poppy:

Why do you think people of color face disproportionate exposure to air pollution?

Michael:

Well, this is a result of systemic racism in this country. Racism, discriminatory housing practices and real estate costs have pushed people of color into areas that are more polluted. Fossil fuel power plants that contribute to fine particle air pollution tend to be located near disadvantaged communities because of low land costs and regulatory loopholes. 

Poppy:

This is so unfair! These communities are the least prepared to cope with long-term health problems like asthma and cancer! How can they afford the extra medical bills? 

Michael:

You hit the nail on the head. Low-income communities are even more susceptible because they don’t have access to proper medical care, healthy grocery options, and safe working conditions. Many people have to work outdoors in heat or on smog days, which increases their exposure to ozone and particulate matter pollution. 

Poppy:

And I guess it is not easy to take sick days, either. You painted a very grim picture. Is there any hope at all for disadvantaged communities? What can we do to address these problems? 

Michael:

The short answer is yes. There certainly is hope; 28% of the coal-fired power plants operating right now are scheduled to be retired by 2035. But this isn’t enough. More power plants that run on fossil fuels need to be closed. The conversion to clean energy needs to be accelerated, too. To protect public health, higher standards need to be set for pollutants like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides.  

Poppy:

A lot needs to be done. I think we should all take an active role in shaping air pollution-related regulations that affect the well-being of our communities.  

Michael:

Absolutely.

Poppy:

That’s all we have time for today. Thank you for listening to The Poppy Podcast. I’ll see you next time.  

The K-12 Environmental Literacy Movement in California

This week’s newsletter looks at the K-12 environmental literacy movement in California. Environmental literacy involves understanding a wide range of concepts and issues so one may act as an environmentally responsible person.

“There’s a demand, there’s an interest, and I encourage all teachers to explore and look for ways they can help their students live in the world as adults by improving their environmental literacy.” 

– Dr. Gerald Lieberman 

This week’s newsletter looks at the K-12 environmental literacy movement in California. Environmental literacy involves understanding a wide range of concepts and issues so one may act as an environmentally responsible person. The growing environmental challenges facing California, and indeed the world, require an educated citizenry with the skills to understand, analyze, and take part in complex decision-making leading to a sustainable planet.

California is a pioneer in advancing environmental literacy in the K-12 education context. Its environmental literacy rollout for K-12 education is groundbreaking in three major respects. First, the state has placed environmental literacy squarely on the K-12 education agenda. Second, environmental literacy has been introduced not as a siloed individual subject but as a “horizontal” domain ideal for an interdisciplinary teaching approach. Third, environmental literacy has been promoted as a hands-on, activity-based subject centered around classroom projects, community partner programs, and outdoor learning opportunities that emphasize student leadership and choice.

As a 21st century entrant to the K-12 education agenda, environmental literacy promises to establish a paradigm for 21st century student-led, multi-disciplinary, project-based learning.

To learn more about the integration of environmental literacy in the California K-12 curriculum, we met with Dr. Gerald Lieberman, a leader in this area. Dr. Lieberman is the Director of the State Education and Environment Roundtable (SEER) and a member of the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI). He has been instrumental in developing California’s most important initiatives around environment-based education and played a leading role in designing the Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&Cs) and the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum. Also, in partnership with California nonprofit Ten Strands, Dr. Lieberman led an effort to integrate California’s EP&Cs into the state’s frameworks for science, history-social science, health, and the arts. He is currently working on the mathematics framework.

Hear more from Dr. Lieberman.

According to Dr. Lieberman, in his book Education and the Environment (2014), “The major educational and environmental challenges that our society is currently facing are inextricably connected to the ways humans interact with the world around them… changing the way teachers teach and students learn is the only way to develop an educated citizenry capable of resolving these challenges.”

Set out below is a summary of significant events…

Relevant Links

State Education and Environment Roundtable (SEER)

Have a look at the work Dr. Lieberman is doing with SEER in advancing environmental literacy and promoting their EIC Model ™ (Environment as an Integrating Context for improving student learning).

Ten Strands

Learn more about the leader of CAELI and one of the most influential organizations for promoting environmental literacy in California for K-12.

History and Development of the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum

What was the process of developing the EEI curriculum? Who were the key supporters? What are the concepts? This document answers these questions and more.

California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI)

CAELI works with school districts and county offices of education throughout California, building the capacity for all K-12 students to become environmentally literate.

State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE)

California students can now earn a State Seal of Civic Engagement. The award, announced by the State Board of Education on Sept. 10, is aimed at encouraging active and ongoing citizenship.

Environmental Education and NGSS in an Era of Uncertainty

The idea of using the environment to drive science instruction is a daunting task at the classroom level but once you get started you pick up strong tailwinds from students, who tend to be passionate about environmental causes. Get tips from these leading teachers.

California Environmental Literacy Project

The Environmental Education Grant Program (EEGP) is awarding grants up to $120,000 each to support programs that will result in long-term educational benefits to California educators and students. Learn more and apply before February 12, 2021.

News and Events

7th Annual Environmental Education Symposium: Justice, Literacy, Wellness
Feb. 25-28, 2021

Attend a multi-day event filled with networking and skill-building as you interact with environmental educators throughout Riverside and San Bernardino.

Cal Water H2O Challenge’s Classroom Challenge
Jan. 31, 2021

Classroom Challenge is a project-based, environmentally-focused competition for classrooms, grades 4-6. It offers a unique opportunity for upper elementary teachers to facilitate their students’ learning of standards-based content, while developing the core understanding of environmental principles necessary to becoming science-literate citizens.

Can California’s cap and trade address environmental justice?
Dec. 16, 2020 GreenBiz

Growing up in North Richmond, California, Denny Khamphanthong didn’t think much of the siren that wailed once a month at 11 a.m. every first Wednesday…

2020: a truly unimaginable year for biodiversity
Dec. 22, 2020 The Guardian

The Guardian’s biodiversity editor looks back on a year that put the state of the planet on the agenda in ways no one could have foreseen…

Changes caused by worsening wildfires in California forests will last centuries
Dec. 22, 2020 Los Angeles Times

California’s worst wildfire season on record has already altered the state’s iconic forests in ways that will be seen for centuries to come.

Landmark Climate Policy Faces Growing Claims of Environmental Racism
Dec. 23, 2020 The Pew Charitable Trusts

When California passed its landmark cap-and-trade law in 2006, supporters were hopeful that the program would provide the template for other states—and eventually the federal government—to solve the climate crisis…

Schools Turned to Outdoor Learning for Safe, Equitable Instruction in 2020. They Don‘t Have to Go Back
Jan. 4, 2021 EdSurge

Schools are adapting to address the challenges presented by COVID-19. Learn about the benefits of outdoor learning and how it can ease some of the inequities COVID has exacerbated.

Can the Environment Be Racist?
Jan. 4, 2021 Ten Strands

Take a moment to go outside and inhale a whopping breath of air. Do you take in a breath of fresh air or do you in fact take in a breath of fresh pollution? The answer to this question lies in where you are taking in this precious air.

3 critical lessons California offers to improve restoration of land on a global scale
Jan. 13, 2021 CalMatters

Scientists say the world has the next decade or so to avoid the most dire environmental scenarios, so we must invest in land restoration.

Dr. Gerald Lieberman – the OG(G) the Original Green Guardian

We are here with Dr. Gerald Lieberman from the State Education and Environment Roundtable, known more commonly as SEER. Dr. Lieberman certainly lives up to that acronym as he has been a true knowledge leader in the environmental literacy space for over 40 years. Dr. Lieberman has been instrumental in the development of California’s most important initiatives around environment-based education (EBE).

As the Director of SEER, Dr. Lieberman developed a strategy for implementing EBE called the EIC Model ™ or Environment as an Integrating Context for learning which focuses on developing localized instructional programs at the school or district level. Dr. Lieberman is a member of the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI). He led the development of the Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&Cs) as well as the Education and the Environment Initiative Curriculum. He is the author of multiple publications including Closing the Achievement Gap: Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning as well as Education and the Environment:  Creating Standards-Based Programs in Schools and Districts. We are honored and grateful to speak with him today and for him to share a small piece of his knowledge with us. 

Our Environmental Education and Research Manager, Yin Ling Tan, spoke with Dr. Lieberman to learn more about the environmental literacy rollout in California over the last two decades. 

Do you know someone or an organization that should be featured?

Write to us and tell us who they are! Contact us!

The K-12 Environmental Literacy Movement in California: A Timeline of Significant Events

According to Dr. Lieberman, in his book Education and the Environment (2014), “The major educational and environmental challenges that our society is currently facing are inextricably connected to the ways humans interact with the world around them… changing the way teachers teach and students learn is the only way to develop an educated citizenry capable of resolving these challenges.”

Set out below is a summary of significant events over the past two decades related to environmental literacy programs that have sought to make the changes referenced by Dr. Lieberman for K-12 education in California.

2003

Assembly Bill 1548 (Pavley), later refined with AB 1721 (Medina) in 2005, triggered the launch of the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI). This multi-agency partnership facilitated the development of the Environmental Principles & Concepts (EP&Cs)—the big ideas about the interdependence of natural systems and human social systems that every student should understand.

2004

The State Board of Education approved the EP&Cs. The EP&Cs focus on the interaction between natural and human systems and serve as the foundation for all environmental literacy curriculum frameworks.

2010

The EEI Curriculum was completed and approved by the State Board of Education, becoming the first environmental curriculum to be formally adopted by the State of California.

2013

California adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) which upgraded science standards for the first time since 1996. The NGSS has created the opportunity to construct new curriculum frameworks that tie in the EP&C’s “big ideas” and a systems thinking approach.

2014

Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, launched a task force to write A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy.

2015

California published its environmental literacy plan, A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy. The Blueprint positioned environmental literacy as central to the education of every child in California and essential to achieving the ambitious vision of the NGSS and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

At the national level, the No Child Left Inside Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act were passed. Environmental education became more explicitly eligible for funding.

2016

Torlakson formed a steering committee, which is now operating as the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI). Led by Ten Strands, members of CAELI bring together a wide range of expertise and resources in education, environment, and community.

The EP&Cs were included in the California Science Test Blueprint and integrated into the assessment of student progress in the fifth and eighth grades, as well as in high school. The EP&Cs were also integrated into state curriculum frameworks, leading with Science and History-Social Science.

San Francisco was the first district (and county) to hire a dedicated Environmental Literacy Coordinator. San Mateo, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, San Diego, and Orange counties followed in subsequent years. Most recently Solano county has made a similar commitment.     

2018

Sponsored by Ten Strands, Senate Bill 720 (Allen) codified California’s EP&Cs into the California Education Code as the state’s definition of environmental literacy. The bill included environmental justice and climate change in the list of covered topics. This legislation supports the ongoing work to ensure that all public-school students have access to high-quality environmental education programs. Two months later, the State Board of Education approved 29 K–8 science programs that incorporate the EP&Cs.

2019

The EP&Cs were integrated into the state’s Health Framework. This was the third curriculum framework in California that integrated the EP&Cs.

2020

The State Seal of Civic Engagement was announced. It is awarded to students who demonstrate excellence in civic learning, participation in civics-related projects, contributions to their community, and an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the American democratic system.

The EP&Cs were integrated into the Arts Framework.

As we move into 2021, there’s much to look forward to. There is a growing need to bring students out of the classroom and recognize the real-world issues happening within their communities and beyond. California has 350,000 public school teachers, 6.2 million K–12 students, and over 1,000 school districts. As Dr. Lieberman said, “it’s like moving a giant ship,” and it looks like the ship is on the move!

Relevant Links

State Education and Environment Roundtable (SEER)

Have a look at the work Dr. Lieberman is doing with SEER in advancing environmental literacy and promoting their EIC Model ™ (Environment as an Integrating Context for improving student learning).

Ten Strands

Learn more about the leader of CAELI and one of the most influential organizations for promoting environmental literacy in California for K-12.

History and Development of the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum

What was the process of developing the EEI curriculum? Who were the key supporters? What are the concepts? This document answers these questions and more.

California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI)

CAELI works with school districts and county offices of education throughout California, building the capacity for all K-12 students to become environmentally literate.

State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE)

California students can now earn a State Seal of Civic Engagement. The award, announced by the State Board of Education on Sept. 10, is aimed at encouraging active and ongoing citizenship.

Environmental Education and NGSS in an Era of Uncertainty

The idea of using the environment to drive science instruction is a daunting task at the classroom level but once you get started you pick up strong tailwinds from students, who tend to be passionate about environmental causes. Get tips from these leading teachers.

California Environmental Literacy Project

The Environmental Education Grant Program (EEGP) is awarding grants up to $120,000 each to support programs that will result in long-term educational benefits to California educators and students. Learn more and apply before February 12, 2021.