In early 2021, the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) sought to center its work in equity, diversify representation, and move to a model of self-governance when it launched a new innovation hub structure. The change has resulted in a far-reaching system of inclusion that has championed new ideas and voices collaborating to achieve environmental literacy … READ MORE
Following the recent 26th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow and the increasing awareness — as a result of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) — of the escalating and destructive impacts of global climate change, 27 organizations have come together … READ MORE
As students return to school this fall, educators are tasked with balancing young people’s education with a staggering set of urgent situations that call us to act. An important starting point is for education leaders to understand the significance of the most recent findings of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report. In this article, Andra Yeghoian, environmental literacy coordinator at the San Mateo County Office of Education, outlines the significance of the IPCC report and offers a blueprint for educators to use this crucial moment in history to foster climate-conscious youth.
In service of CAELI’s commitment to centering equity and justice throughout the environmental literacy field, we are highlighting the partnership between Youth Outside and BEETLES at the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley, which is improving the quality and cultural relevance of outdoor science education. Over the past several years, these two groups have partnered to examine environmental education programs and practices through an equity lens, and created critical resources for other organizations.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, a reckoning with racism, and the enduring battle against climate change have starkly revealed the need for systemic change. Equity has proven to be a critical component of how leadership should be guided toward justice. As the environmental education field continues its efforts to become more inclusive, we’re honored to learn from leaders like CAELI member Candice Dickens-Russell—the justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion manager at DoGoodery, a social impact agency helping organizations make positive change. In this Q&A, Candice shares how her work advocating for equitable practices inspires her vision for the future.
The Hoover Hawks Victory Garden thrives on the Hoover Elementary School campus in West Oakland, a neighborhood rich in history, culture and people. Urban farmer Wanda Stewart is the tireless champion and architect behind the garden project, which has become an intergenerational hub of healing, learning, and wonder for the local community. In this Q&A, Wanda shares her journey to change the lives of students, families, and neighbors by teaching them to nurture a vibrant, fruitful ecosystem.
Karen Cowe, Ten Strands CEO and California Environmental Literacy Initiative project director, discusses her work to uplift environmental literacy in this interview with California Association of Science Educators (CASE). This article originally appeared on the CASE website and was republished with permission.
Water is a vital natural resource that shapes the development of California’s environmental, social, and economic landscape. Despite this, the essential workers that maintain California’s water supply are often overlooked. As a member of the California Environmental Literacy Initiative’s (CAELI) Leadership Council, Public Affairs Manager at the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), and leader of the Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA), Tiffany Baca is working to change that. In this Q&A, Tiffany shares how environmental literacy frames her work at MWDOC, an agency that provides more than 3.2 million California residents with water-saving resources, water-centric education, sustainability programs, and clean drinking water.
Subscribe to receive updates and stories about our work and learn about opportunities to get involved.