Teacher Toolkit

Environmental literacy is the capacity to act individually and with others to support ecologically sound, economically prosperous, and equitable communities for present and future generations. Through lived experiences and education programs that include classroom-based lessons, experiential education, and outdoor learning, students will become environmentally literate, developing the knowledge, skills, and understanding of environmental principles to analyze environmental issues and make informed decisions. (California Blueprint for Environmental Literacy)

The California Environmental Literacy Initiative creates a system of support in California that enables all students to have local, standards- and environment-based experiences that enhance their learning in core subjects inside and outside of the classroom.

By bringing together existing resources, stakeholders, and expertise, CAELI creates collaborations, builds capacity, and transforms systems to increase their impact and sustainability. CAELI works to ensure that teachers have access to high-quality professional learning and instructional materials that address standards and support English language learners. We support professional development opportunities and outdoor education resources, so teachers can provide students with engaging environment-based educational experiences inside and outside the classroom.

Environmental literacy has the capacity to positively impact who students become and how they interact with their environment, their communities, and their world. It is a way to support all students in developing the knowledge, understanding, and opportunities that prepare them to meet challenges and fulfill their potential to imagine—and realize—a better world.

Environmental literacy is essential to the future of every student in California, and every student in California—inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender identity, ability, citizenship status, and socioeconomic status—deserves access to a high-quality K–12 education that cultivates environmental literacy.

Understanding our environment and human impact is crucial for our individual and collective wellbeing. Environmental literacy cultivates the skills students will need to deal with critical issues and supports their capacity for success in school, life, and career.

By focusing on environmental literacy, we prepare our youth to address environmental challenges like water and air pollution, increased fire risk, drought, and rising sea levels, so that they and future generations can thrive.

We know that as educators you have a lot on your plate, and we want to make things easier for you. Environmental literacy integrates the environment with core subjects—supporting you and your students to meet learning goals and create opportunities for equitable student learning without adding an additional burden.

By encouraging students to explore their local environments, teachers can embrace strategies that best support student learning. We work with partners throughout California to help teachers accomplish this by providing access to high-quality professional learning experiences—sharing tools and resources that empower teachers and engage students to build key skills while mastering state standards.

We see the system of public education as capable of serving students, communities, and our society. We focus work at the district level to support administrators, subject matter experts, teachers, and students because that’s where change happens. We believe the school district holds space at the heart of 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.

We provide the tools to do things differently. We listen to the needs of the people and districts we serve to co-create environmental learning partnerships and experiences that are based in the communities and places where students live. We work with a generosity of spirit to support academic success and environmental literacy for all students, and prioritize equity by focusing resources on communities who have experienced historic, systemic, and continued barriers to accessing environmental literacy.

CAELI partners with state government, local education agencies, environmental education providers, community members, and funders to make environmental literacy a reality for all California’s K–12 students.

1. Visit ca-eli.org for information and helpful tools and resources.
2. Discuss environmental literacy with your fellow educators, parents, and school administrators using the talking points in this toolkit.
3. Connect with local community organizations to work with your school.
4. Contact CAELI: info@ca-eli.org

• As an educator, I know how important it is for my students to explore and understand their local environment. Incorporating environmental literacy into K–12 education is a key step toward raising tomorrow’s empowered leaders. I want to work with local organizations like yours to educate and inspire my students.
• CAELI collaborates with community organizations and the K–12 public school system to incorporate environmental learning that is locally based and culturally relevant into the regular school day—both inside the classroom and out.
• By working as partners, we can work collaboratively and inclusively to support students by highlighting the interconnectedness of people and place. Educators, students, and community partners working together are already creating positive change, and continuing to identify powerful new ways of working together.
• Part of what contributes to the strength and resilience of communities is the intergenerational health and wellbeing of its people. In every community, there are leaders—including young people.
• To increase their opportunities for success, it’s crucial that we provide them with relevant, engaging, real-world learning experiences that will guide them into the next chapters of their lives. Let’s work together to help create these experiences for my students.

• As an educator, I know how important it is for my students to explore and appreciate their local environments. Incorporating environmental literacy into K–12 education is a key step toward raising tomorrow’s empowered leaders. As a leader in education, you understand that we are nurturing our most valuable resource: our young people. I know that your leadership results in meaningful, measurable outcomes for our students and communities.
• CAELI collaborates with state agencies, county offices of education, community partners, and K–12 district leaders to prioritize real-world learning for students that is relevant to the places they live. I want to work with you to incorporate environmental literacy initiatives into our students’ educational experience.
• Environmental literacy is an effective strategy to support the health of people and the planet. By focusing on environmental literacy, we strengthen core curricula by infusing it with an understanding of the interrelatedness of human and natural systems, preparing our youth to address critical environmental challenges so that they, and future generations, can thrive.
• Environmental literacy prioritizes including and engaging students of color in meaningful, culturally relevant ways, empowering them to achieve academic success and advocate for themselves, their communities, and the planet. CAELI works with districts to ensure that resources, partnerships, and support systems are focused on equity, and explicitly prioritize communities that have historically been excluded from participation in environmental learning.
• Let’s work together to give our students high quality environmental education. CAELI will help build connections between schools and local community partners to expand access to innovative educational resources, making environmental literacy a supportive and integral part of every student’s education.