Chair: Mary Leou, Director, Wallerstein Collaborative for Urban Environmental Education

Nature Education White Paper

Project Description:
While the city’s PlaNYC 2030 is an ambitious first step towards a sustainable city, the plan misses one very important component: nature education of our young people. If we do not invest in our children, we will not have future generations that will carry out our vision of a sustainable city. The Education Task Force is preparing a white paper that outlines the importance of nature education in the region and steps we need to take to remedy the problem. It will initially target education in K-12 schools but will also include recommendations for the professional development of teachers and educators in community-based organizations. It will make recommendations for policy reform by targeting policymakers and educators in the city and the metropolitan region.

Phase I will include compiling relevant research on why nature education is important and its impact on learning, and stewardship. The paper will also include a compilation of resources that provide curriculum materials and programs for schools, teachers, and families. The paper will go through a review process first by the members of the Education Work Group and then the Board. Once completed, the paper will be mailed to policymakers, NYC DOE, schools and organizations within the region that would like to incorporate nature education in their curriculum.

A companion power point will be developed by the Education Work Group to present at conferences, meetings, and by special invitation to interested parties These materials will be available to Nature Network member organizations. Particular emphasis will be placed on NYC as an initial target audience, given the magnitude of the city within the region. However, the document will have relevance for the entire Nature Network Region.