Geographically speaking, North Carolina is one of the most diverse and beautiful states in the union. Bordered by mountains in the west and the ocean on the east, North Carolina’s diverse ecosystems are home to many rare plants and animals. The Venus flytrap, sea turtles and the bald eagle are native to North Carolina, and are the reason many people visit. Environmental education is essential to preserving North Carolina’s diverse habitats.
As the state legislature works on creating a budget for next year, they have proposed many cuts to the state’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources. While many of the cuts are aimed at regulatory functions, there are also proposed reductions to the Office of Environmental Education. The House of Representatives’ budget cuts the current staff of five down to two positions. This cut has been overshadowed by the larger changes thus far, but North Carolina’s citizens should know the decisions being made on their behalf.
A savings of $221,000 in the state budget is in essence cutting that amount in grants and in-kind support the office brings in annually to fund professional-development programs for educators, adult education, job creation and the 200 Environmental Education Centers in the state.
The Office of Environmental Education has spent more than a decade working to become a communication tool for educators, both formal and non-formal, to find curriculum, educational events, professional development, resources and publications. It is a critical economic resource to educators at a time when budgets and teachers are being slashed across the state.Â
Making the investment in a well-informed citizenry can be a cost-effective alternative to environmental regulation. It has also been identified as a critical 21st century skill that will enable us to be competitive in a global economy while ensuring that our communities have clean water and air.
Julianna Parks
Orange County
Support the No Child Left Inside Act
Given the current economic and political climate, it seems wise to support the re-introduced No Child Left Inside Act (NCLI). NCLI which would require states to develop environmental literacy plans for children in grades preK through 12. These plans would include environmental education standards and teacher training as a prerequisite to receiving implementation grants. Funds allocated to teacher training would advance the delivery of quality environmental education that makes use of the local environment as an extension of the traditional classroom. Support for this important piece of legislation is both timely and strategically savvy, as it is in keeping with Governor Purdue’s education agenda, and has the potential to produce lasting stewards of our state’s ever-compromised environmental integrity. Go to: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:S866: for more information.