The California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI), established in 2016 and led by Ten Strands, works statewide with guidance from a leadership council to create systems change to support and elevate the importance of environmental literacy in TK-12 schools.
- We focus on work at the district level to support administrators, teachers, staff, and students because that’s where change happens.
- We believe the school district holds space at the heart of the community and is entrusted with our most valuable resource: our young people.
- We celebrate the victories of our partners and recognize the strength of a network working together.
In doing this work, we provide multiple constituents with the tools they need to catalyze long-lasting change.
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Reflections on a Decade of Progress
September 2025 marks ten years of the Blueprint for Environmental Literacy. Over the last decade, this vision has evolved into a statewide movement, championed by the CAELI network with support from Ten Strands.
To honor this, we compiled reflections, testimonials, and insights from CAELI partners across California. These stories illustrate the dedication, creativity, and leadership that have carried the Blueprint forward for the past decade.
"The Blueprint for Environmental Literacy, the Environmental Literacy Task Force that developed it, the Environmental Literacy Steering Committee that ensured it wouldn’t sit on a shelf, and CAELI, which continues its ever-expanding implementation, have truly transformed environmental education in California. Two of the six Guiding Principles in the Blueprint focus directly on equity and justice. This has shifted the orientation of both schools and program providers to prioritize the needs of communities of color and other vulnerable students. Eleven years ago, California had pockets of expertise, each delivering and advocating for their own particular environmental education solution. Today there is a vibrant community where all of us work together, recognizing the necessity of ‘all of the above’ to achieve the larger goal of environmental literacy for every child in the state."
“With the current challenges we are facing—from the climate crisis to young people’s mental health—never has environmental literacy been more critical. CAELI provides a space where educational leaders and champions can come together with a common purpose and take collective action for a more just and sustainable future.”
“Feeling so much gratitude to everyone who has endeavored so successfully to make the Blueprint for Environmental Literacy a reality. Clearly, we have a ways to go before we fully realize its full aspirational scope, but the success of this past decade provides real hope for the future. Perhaps it is time to reimagine the Blueprint for the next ten years and beyond and double down on our efforts to irrevocably center it within public education for California’s current and future children.”
“Over the past ten years, we have seen environmental challenges affecting California schools, making the Blueprint for Environmental Literacy more relevant than ever. Our students and families deserve the empowerment that comes from truly understanding these challenges so they can make informed choices. The future of environmental literacy in California is exciting because CAELI has shown, with data and evidence, that focused and strategic action positively impacts K-12 outcomes for all students.”
“With appreciation for the Ten Strands team and CAELI for leading a decade of environmental literacy change in California! CAELI continues to be a shining beacon of hope in the challenging landscape of climate change.”
