Wisconsin Environmental

Wisconsin Environmental

Education Foundation

Wisconsin Environmental Education Board

WEEF HOME PAGE

20/20 VISION

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

THE CHALLENGE

THE NEED

WEEB HOME PAGE

ABOUT WEEB

WEEB GRANT PROGRAM

WEEB SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

WEEB TASK FORCE UPDATES

WEEB ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Publications/Forms
03-05 Biennial Report
Draft EE 2010 Strategic Plan

Press Releases
BOARD NOMINATION

Contact us at:
110 College of Natural Resources,
UW-Stevens Point,
Stevens Point WI 54481
phone: (715) 346-3805
fax: (715 346-3025

Email WEEB or WEEF

LINKS
WI EE Web Pages

WI Nature Centers

National Web Pages

Other Grant and Scholarship Pages

Contests

Environmental Education for Kids

Learning Experiences and Activities in Forestry

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION?

A lifelong learning process that leads to an informed and involved citizenry having

ü the creative problem-solving skills,

ü scientific and social literacy,

ü ethical awareness and sensitivity for the relationship between humans and the environment,

ü commitment to engage in responsible individual and cooperative actions.

By these actions, environmentally literate citizens will help ensure an ecologically and economically sustainable environment.

WHY IS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IMPORTANT?

Simply stated, knowledge is power. With it, Wisconsin’s environment will improve.

THE HISTORY

Wisconsin has a long history of citizen involvement and commitment for our natural resource legacy. Since the late 1800’s, outdoor and nature education has been provided in Wisconsin. In 1935, a law was passed requiring teacher-training colleges to provide conservation education. And as previously stated, in 1990, the state legislature created WEEB to be a leader.

Over the past 16 years, WEEB has supported over 575 environmental education initiatives with over $5,267,000 in funding.

The impact of these projects has been enormous. Thousands of individuals in our cities and across our counties have benefited from enriched learning opportunities. Personal and collective environmental decision making has been enhanced because of the knowledge gained though these projects.

A Rich Heritage & Bright Future

Wisconsin has a long history of citizen involvement and commitment to a sustainable natural resource base. Since the late 1800s, outdoor and nature education has been provided in Wisconsin schools. In 1935, a law was passed requiring teacher-training colleges to provide conservation education. In 1985, The Wisconsin legislature enacted a curriculum planning standard requiring that school districts develop and implement a K-12 environmental education curriculum by September 1, 1990. To support this curriculum mandate the state legislature authorized the creation of the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board with a grants program and the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at UW Stevens Point in 1990. Academic standards for environmental education were established for K-12 education in 1998.

Environmental education (EE) planning has a long and successful history in Wisconsin. Statewide planning and capacity-building for EE was formally done as early as 1974. In 1994 the WEEB initiated a statewide planning process that included a stakeholder survey and "summit" process. In 2000, the WEEB again solicited input from citizens and stakeholders to create “EE 2005: A Plan for Advancing Environmental Education in Wisconsin.” This document with associated action items guided the WEEB and other organizations for the last five years.

WDNR

Wisconsin Association of Environmental Educators

Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education

Wisconsin Technical College System

University of Wisconsin System

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation

State of Wisconsin Government