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Environmental Literacy in Nevada
NNREC's role, as expressed in our mission statement, is to be a catalyst for efforts by everyone in Nevada to develop environmental literacy in K-12 students. We provide leadership, coordination, expertise, and professional development, working with a variety of partner organizations, agencies, schools and businesses.
Our current efforts, all involving multiple partners, include:
- develop and implement of an Environmental Educator & Interpreter Certification Program, with the Public Lands Institute of UNLV and many educators
- revise and disseminate the Nevada Environmental Literacy Guide and Nevada Environmental Education Training Plan
- provide professional development for educators, including the Lamoille Institute for Educators (LIFE), Project Learning Tree (with NDF), Project WET (with NDEP), River of Words, Earth Institute discussion groups, and combinations of these curriculum targeted at specific schools or groups
- build capacity by working with agencies, organizations, schools, businesses to align, improve and expand curriculum and programs provided to K-12 students
- create a prominent Conservation Education Mini-Grant Program to direct small amounts of money to educators and classrooms for environmental literacy projects, using funding from a variety of sources
- provide expertise and encouragement for all land and resource agencies to develop conservation education strategic plans at the state level, and to implement these plans with money and staff
- encourage widespread adoption of the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education by agencies, organizations, schools and businesses
The initial outline for developing environmental literacy in Nevada is documented in the Environmental Literacy document and graphic.
As these documents are developed and coordinated, a Nevada Master Plan for Environmental Education will be created and stewarded by a Nevada Environmental Education Advisory Council.
Vision
Nevada citizens are environmentally literate and act to create an environmentally sustainable and just society.
Vision for the Education System
PreK-12 students receive education and experiences at all grade levels which develop: a) an understanding of ecological concepts, b) a knowledge of how human actions and attitudes positively and negatively affect the natural and built environment, and c) an appreciation of the diversity of experiences, values and opinions that people bring to environmental issues. Students have frequent opportunities for: a) contact with the natural world, b) positive action through service-learning projects, and c) practicing the skills of democracy in their own life, their classroom and school, and their community.
