Environmental Education in Wisconsin

Upcoming Events

No Teacher Left Inside
July 29 – August 2, 2013
MacKenzie Environmental Education Center
Poynette, Wisconsin

Teacher Educators Network for Environmental Education
August 5 – 6, 2013
La Crosse Eco Park
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education Conference
August 7 – 9, 2013
UW La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin

View Events for the Previous 12 Months

Latest News

Four Wisconsin Schools and One District Nominated for U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.

State Superintendent Tony Evers nominated four schools and one school district for the 2013 U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools award. The schools nominated for the award are Jefferson Elementary-Fox River Academy in the Appleton Area School District, Summit Environmental School in the La Crosse School District, Westlawn Elementary School in the Cedarburg School District, and Racine Montessori School in Racine. In addition, Fort Atkinson School District was nominated for a District Sustainability Award. Read more by clicking here. 2012 Green Ribbon Schools Honorees include Dimensions of Learning Academy in Kenosha, Middleton High School in Middleton, and Purdy Elementary School in Fort Atkinson.

Introduction

Environmental education is a lifelong learning process that leads to an informed and involved citizenry having the creative problem-solving skills, scientific and social literacy, ethical awareness and sensitivity for the relationship between humans and the environment, and commitment to engage in responsible individual and cooperative actions. By these actions, environmentally literate citizens will help ensure an ecologically and economically sustainable environment (Wisconsin Environmental Education Board). Other definitions of environmental education can be found on the WAEE web site.

Environmental education is required in Wisconsin schools. State law requires that every school district develop and implement a kindergarten through grade 12 sequential curriculum plan. In addition, environmental education objectives and activities shall be integrated into the kindergarten through grade 12 sequential curriculum plans, with the greatest emphasis in art, health, science and social studies education [see Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 8.01(2)(k]. Teachers must also be prepared to teach environmental education and those with licenses in agriculture, early childhood, middle childhood to early adolescent, science and social studies must demonstrate knowledge and understanding in environmental education including the conservation of natural resources. [PI 34.15(4)(b)]

Environmental Education in Wisconsin

Victoria Rydberg, WI DPI Environmental Education Consultant
victoria.rydberg@dpi.wi.gov
(608) 266-0419