Teachers

Green Schools and Environmental Education Thrive in Ventura County

Since the launch of CAELI’s Innovation Hubs, leaders across California have used the network to collaborate and grow a community of teachers and administrators committed to creating equitable access to environmental education. With a diverse leadership collaborating within CAELI’s expanding membership, we welcome leaders from various roles in education to create systemic change for California’s … READ MORE

New CAELI Innovation Hub Structure Focuses on Equity and Inclusion

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

Three Recommendations for Schools During COP26

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

The IPCC Report Offers Educational Leaders the Opportunity to Lead Our Most Important Teachable Moment

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.

Youth Outside and BEETLES: A Partnership Making Environmental Education More Equitable

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.

How Justice and Equity are Shaping Environmental Literacy for a Better Future

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.

Hoover Hawks Victory Garden: A School and Community Jewel

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.

2020 Distinguished Contribution Award Winners: Ten Strands and CAELI!

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.