As the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) begins the 2026–27 season, we are optimistic about the next chapter of the network. Over the past decade, hundreds of educators, County Office of Education (COE) leaders, district staff, community partners, state agencies, and other changemakers have helped transform CAELI from an initiative supporting implementation of the 2015 California Blueprint for Environmental Literacy into a thriving statewide network dedicated to advancing high-quality environmental education for all of California’s TK–12 students.
As we reflected on the past season during the fourth annual CAELI Leadership Retreat, one theme continued to emerge: The first decade of CAELI was about building California’s statewide environmental literacy movement. The next decade is about strengthening the relationships, leadership, and systems that will allow that movement to thrive and sustain over the long haul. This theme is shaping both our priorities and our structure for the year ahead.
Most of CAELI’s 2026–27 Leadership Team and Ten Strands Support at the June Retreat at Alameda County’s Amazing StopWaste Facility
One lesson we are carrying forward from the 2025–26 season is that deeper engagement is more powerful than simply offering more activities. Last year, CAELI intentionally streamlined its projects and meetings to focus on the spaces where the greatest collaboration and learning were taking place. Even with fewer meetings and events, the network welcomed over 675 unique participants—the highest number in CAELI’s history. More importantly, end-of-season reflections showed that participants felt increasingly connected to the statewide environmental literacy movement, built stronger professional networks, and gained valuable knowledge, resources, and confidence through their participation.
During the 2026–27 season, CAELI will continue investing more deeply in the spaces where members consistently told us they experienced the greatest value. We are centering this year’s work around the County Office of Education, District, and Community Partner Communities of Practice; the California Green Ribbon Network; Equity Integration efforts; statewide Quarterly gatherings; and the continued development of practical implementation resources. Survey results from last season reinforced that these Communities of Practice and statewide networking opportunities are among the most effective ways CAELI builds capacity, strengthens professional relationships, and supports implementation across California. This year will also include continued expansion of the CAELI Partner Portal, which has become an increasingly valuable statewide hub for connecting educators and community partners with implementation resources, organizations, stories from the field, and opportunities for collaboration.
To better support these priorities, CAELI also begins the season with a streamlined leadership structure. A new unified Leadership Team brings together representatives from each of CAELI’s major affinity and initiative areas—including County Offices of Education, Districts, Community Partners, Equity Integration, and the Green Ribbon Network. This structure strengthens communication and coordination across initiatives while continuing CAELI’s long-standing commitment to shared leadership and collaborative decision-making.
Another important evolution this season is the continued expansion of opportunities for participation across the network. Over the past year, it became increasingly clear that many educators and partners wanted to engage with CAELI through networking, learning, and collaboration without necessarily serving in formal leadership or project roles. As a result, CAELI will continue building multiple pathways for engagement. Everyone has a place within the CAELI community, whether they join as a leadership team member, contribute as an activator, participate in a Community of Practice or statewide network, attend a quarterly meeting, or connect through our newsletters and resources. We believe that a strong statewide movement depends on creating meaningful entry points for people at every stage of their environmental literacy journey. Interested in joining CAELI for the 2026–27 season? Complete the CAELI 2026–27 Membership Commitment Form to become a member.
Everything we do continues to be guided by CAELI’s Theory of Action:
Together, we are working to increase awareness of environmental literacy across California’s education system, strengthen the statewide ecosystem of educators and partners, build the capacity of school communities to implement high-quality environmental learning, and increase the agency of educators and students to lead meaningful environmental and climate action. It has been encouraging to see more and more participants recognizing their own growth in these areas and contributing to the collective impact of the network.
Whether you have been part of CAELI since its earliest days or are joining the network for the first time, we invite you to participate in this next chapter. We look forward to reconnecting with many of you at Communities of Practices, Quarterly gatherings, and other opportunities to learn, collaborate, and strengthen California’s environmental literacy movement together.
