At CAELI, we are continually working to improve access to high-quality environmental literacy resources for educators, students, and partners. As we enter the third quarter of the season, we are excited to introduce a suite of newly designed and updated digital tools, making it easy to find, navigate, and utilize the wealth of knowledge available.
Newly Designed Webinar and Resource Pages
With our newly organized webinar page, you now can easily browse upcoming webinars and explore previously recorded sessions, sorted by date. In addition, webinars can now be filtered by the CAELI Innovation Hub or initiative that hosted them.
In tandem, our resources page has undergone a significant overhaul to better serve educators and environmental literacy advocates. You can now sort resources by category to locate tools and materials that support environmental literacy in California’s TK–12 classrooms.
These updates are designed to make finding relevant content seamless, such as looking for professional learning opportunities, curriculum support, or environmental education research. We encourage all educators and partners to explore these new features!
New Resource: 2025 Campaign Action Items
Created by the CAELI Policy Initiative, this page explores how California has been driving environmental and climate literacy through legislation, partner-led campaigns in need of support, and groundbreaking education initiatives advancing system-wide change.
Examples of action items include:
- Sign-On Letter to Governor Newsom requesting $10M for regional support and capacity building to advance climate-resilient, healthy, efficient schools. Sponsored by the Climate Ready Schools Coalition.
- SB 341 Sign-On Letter supporting the reestablishment of the instructional school garden program. Deadline: Thursday, March 13, 2025. Sponsored by the School Garden Coalition.
Improved CAELI Partner Portal: Resources, Stories, and Collaboration
The CAELI Partner Portal has also received a major upgrade, with a new home page highlighting key resources, upcoming events, and showcase featured community-based partners. These improvements are in addition to the existing twenty-one County Office of Education (COE) Microsites, which continue to provide targeted support across the state.
The CAELI Partner Portal serves as a central directory for community-based partners (CBPs) from throughout California who provide environmental education. The purpose of the directory is to increase equitable access to impactful environmental literacy programs, foster collaboration, build capacity for educators, and establish consistency in program alignment. The Partner Portal includes nearly 500 CBPs and the COE Microsites, helping teachers identify organizations and programs that align with their local needs and support educational standards. CAELI also works in partnership with County Offices of Education to support environmental literacy across the state.
The new Partner Portal landing page spotlights impactful CAELI resources and community initiatives. Some key resources highlighted on the homepage include:
- AB 285 Toolkit: Developed by the CAELI County Office of Education Innovation Hub, this toolkit helps educators understand and implement California Assembly Bill 285, which mandates climate change education in grades 1–12 starting in the 2024–25 school year.
- Children and Nature Network – The Benefits of Nature Toolkit: A compilation of research emphasizing the physical, mental, and environmental benefits of time spent in nature, advocating for equitable outdoor learning opportunities.
- NAAEE Webinar – Building Resilience: A recorded session by Dr. Vik Mohan on strategies for managing stress, fostering support networks, and maintaining motivation in environmental education.
- NAAEE Webinar – Building Resilience: A recorded session by Dr. Vik Mohan on strategies for managing stress, fostering support networks, and maintaining motivation in environmental education.
- BEETLES Project Resources: A collection of student-centered, inquiry-based learning tools designed to enhance outdoor science instruction while aligning with Next Generation Science Standards.
These resources are intended to support educators in their efforts to integrate environmental literacy into teaching and learning, providing tools that are research-based, effective, and practical for real-world classroom application.
Educators can engage with partners, and CBPs can promote their programs by signing up for an account on the CAELI Partner Portal. Search the Partner Portal to connect with local CBPs and discover programs in your area. Sign up for the Partner Portal today!
Partner Portal Spotlight on Community-Based Partners
The updated Partner Portal also highlights key community-based partners working to advance environmental literacy. Two organizations currently featured include:
- Living Coast Discovery Center (San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge): A nonprofit zoo and aquarium dedicated to coastal conservation through hands-on educational programs, outreach initiatives, and sustainability efforts. Programs include Living Labs & Field Trips, preschool programs, and conservation projects like Team Clapper Rail.
- Marine Science Institute (San Francisco Bay Area): A leader in marine science education offering field experiences such as the Discovery Voyage research expedition, Shoreside Programs, and Canoes in Sloughs. Their programs emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based learning to inspire environmental stewardship.
These organizations provide invaluable opportunities for students and educators to engage with environmental science, fostering deeper connections to local ecosystems and conservation efforts.
ELA Podcast: A New Season is Coming!
In addition, a new season of the Environmental Literacy and Action (ELA) Podcast is on the way! This upcoming season will feature insightful discussions with educators, policymakers, and environmental literacy champions, offering fresh perspectives on the latest trends and strategies in environmental education. Stay tuned!
CAELI remains committed to supporting the environmental literacy community by providing the tools and resources needed to drive impactful change in California’s TK–12 education system. These new digital tools and updates are designed to make it easy for educators and partners to access high-quality environmental education materials, collaborate with like-minded professionals, and stay informed about the latest developments in the field.
View the Partner Portal | Policy Action Items | Resources | Webinars
