This workshop will explore what the environmental literacy plan and why it is important to have it. We will discuss how it will be implemented as well as topics as student and teacher environmental literacy competencies. This is an opportunity for you to help guide us in planning the implementation of the plan. We will also talk about connections to Common Core and the Next Generation of Science Standards. Presentation for New Hampshire Science Teachers Association Spring Conference, 2013

1. New Hampshire
Environmental Literacy Plan
New Hampshire
Science Teacher Association
Spring Conference
Keene State College
March 2013

2. Environmental Literacy
 Understanding of the
natural world and its
systems
 Ability to make decisions
about the environment
based on scientific,
social, economic and
aesthetic considerations.

3. Research Findings
Environmental Education:
 Increases overall student
engagement and motivation
 Increases critical thinking and
problem solving
 Increases academic
achievement and performance
on assessments
 Increases physical and mental
health
 Increases positive collaboration
among educators

4. New Hampshire’s Planning Effort
• Gap analysis and curricula
crosswalk
• Community Engagement--
forums, stakeholder groups,
teachers
• Time Line
• Strong communication across
populations
• Implementation of writing process

5. New Hampshire
Environmental Literacy Plan
on the Web
NH Environmental Literacy
Plan Website
www.elnh.org
Environmental Literacy Plan
Online Focus Group on
OPEN NH
www.opennh.net/course/e
nrol.php?id=200

8. Implementation
Currently
•Full participation in the NEEEA/EPA sub-grant program
•Prioritization of plan components
•Investigation of intern projects
Next:
•Working with professional development providers at the pre-
service and in-service level
•Making connections to the Next Generation of Science and
the new national social studies standards.

9. Outreach Efforts
Press releases
Rack card
Banner display

10. NH Planning Team Partners
 New Hampshire  Squam Lakes Natural
Environmental Educators Science Center
 NH Children in Nature  Southern NH University
Coalition  The Margret & H.A. Rey
 NH Fish and Game Center
Department  Plymouth State University
 NH Department of  Antioch University New
Environmental Services England
 NH Division of Forests and  NH Sierra Club
Lands  Appalachian Mountain Club
 NH Department of  United States Forest Service
Education
 University of NH, Durham

11. NH’s Environmental Literacy Plan
Curriculum Connections
•Demonstrates existing connections between Science and
Social Studies curriculum frameworks and the Excellence
in Environmental Education Guidelines for Learning
•Encourages the development of an online data base of
local NH environmental education resources for teachers
•Encourages the establishment of student-learning
outcomes and competencies in Environmental Literacy
•Encourages interdisciplinary approaches for inclusion of
environmental literacy across the curricula

12. Assessment Connections
•Encourages the development of a strategic
plan for how NH will measure student
competency in environmental literacy
•Encourages local schools to include
competency in environmental literacy as a
graduation requirement

13. NH’s Environmental Literacy Plan con’t.
Professional Development Connections
•Encourages the establishment of a network of field-
based training organizations and opportunities to
enhance educator competency in environmental
literacy
•Encourages the incorporation of environmental literacy
competency into high quality professional development
offerings
•Encourages colleges and universities to include
competencies in environmental literacy for in-service
and pre-service teachers

14. NH’s Environmental Literacy Plan con’t.
Community Connections
•Encourages the development of an Environmental
Literacy Advisory Committee comprised of
representatives from a wide variety of agencies,
organizations, and individuals
•Encourages the inclusion of meaningful outdoor
learning opportunities and experiences for all New
Hampshire students
•Encourages the utilization of place-based and service
learning projects that incorporate environmental literacy
into learning outcomes

15. To Get Involved
Contact
 Amy Yeakel amy.yeakel@nhnature.org
 Judy Silverberg judy.silverberg@gmail.com
 Stan Freeda stanley.freeda@doe.nh.gov
 New Hampshire Environmental Educators