EE Barter Organization Golden State Environmental Education Consortium (GSEEC) Golden State Environmental Education Consortium: A partnership to Strengthen Environmental Education in California for teachers and schools-agencies-non formal education-organizations-business and industry-university education programs-environmental organizations-camps and outdoor education programs-parks, zoos, and museums-communities of faith-community based organizations-the funding community. Environmental education is a life-long process in which individuals gain awareness and knowledge of the natural and human environment. Quality environmental education programs help learners of all ages assess the multiple factors involved in resolving environmental issues and take positive actions to help resolve them. The knowledge and skills gained through environmental education help learners develop confidence and the ability to work cooperatively while contributing to quality education and economic stability. The Golden State Environmental Education Consortium (GSEEC) brings together the skills and assets of a variety of individuals, major programs, and institutions from communities throughout the state working collectively to enhance environmental education in California. GSEEC includes individuals and partner organizations and businesses from the traditional environmental education community and welcomes those communities not well represented in current environmental education efforts. Goals and Strategies to Meet California's Need for Environmental Education (bigger and bold) Building on the strengths of the current partners, the GSEEC is working to achieve the following goals: Education Reform · Facilitate the integration of environmental education concepts into existing California educational standards and frameworks · Promote inclusion of environmental literacy in college and university teacher training and credential programs to better prepare teachers to use environmental education Statewide recognition and support of environmental education initiatives · Promote a secure and increased funding for statewide EE programs including the Department of Education's environmental education grants program and other programs currently funded by the Environmental License Plate Fund · Encourage increased federal support for environmental education · Link environmental education programs with potential funding sources · Publicly recognize notable achievements in environmental education School Initiatives · Promote model schools that use the environment as an integrating concept · Encourage schools to serve as resource conservation models · Encourage long-term outdoor school experiences for every student and connect the curriculum standards with outdoor school programs Partnerships to promote environmental education · Promote citizen participation in responsible environmental actions in businesses, neighborhoods, homes, and daily lives · Identify communities currently underserved by environmental education and support them by establishing active partnerships with local business associations, corporations, businesses, communities of faith, service organizations, and environmental justice groups · Promote partnerships and collaborations with non-formal education providers such as museums, zoos, and parks that will enhance formal K-university environmental education. Networking · Coordinate California's participation in the North American Environmental Education Advancement Project · Support the California Regional Environmental Education Community Network Coordinators, a project of the California Department of Education and supported by several state agencies and many community-based agencies and organizations, in their efforts to link providers and users with quality environmental educational programs and curricula · Provide mechanisms to bring together environmental educators to share their experiences, programs, and the latest theories on urban and multicultural environmental education GSEEC Structure The GSEEC is the key focal point for coordinating California's diverse efforts to strengthen environmental education. A Management Team, sets the direction of and supports the Consortium's efforts. The Management Team meets four times per year. Between meetings, committees conduct much of the GSEEC's work via e-mail, web-based discussion groups, and telephone. The GSEEC is not a membership organization and does not collect dues. GSEEC's Management Team consists of: Representatives of State Agencies (California Department of Education, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, State Parks and Recreation, Department of Fish and Game, California Integrated Waste Management Board), University of California Cooperative Extension Service-4H, California Science Center) Representatives of Federal Agencies (US-EPA, Bureau of Land Management, USDA-Forest Service, National Park Service) Representatives of Local Organizations (California Resource Conservation Districts, Water Districts, associates of the California Regional EE Community or "CREECs") Representatives of Formal Education (University of California, California State University, San Bernardino, California Outdoor Schools Administrators, WestEd) Representatives of non-profit environmental education (Water Education Foundation, National Audubon Society, California Native Plant Society, TreePeople, San Diego Natural History Museum, Association for Environmental and Outdoor Educators) Representatives of Businesses (Acorn Naturalists, Walt Disney Corporation) Representatives of Communities of Faith (Environmental Ministries) How to Become Involved Anyone sharing the vision of promoting environmental education in California is invited to participate in the work of the GSEEC. To join, visit the GSEEC group at www.edgateway.net/ee and subscribe. At that web site, you can provide contact information and describe your involvement in EE and how your organization furthers our common goals. You can also indicate your preference for committee work. Barter Account (EEBUs): 50 Contact Information: Tricia Broddrick 8800 Cal Center Sacramento, California 95826 USA Phone: 916-255-3904 Fax: 916-255-2574 Email: tbroddri@CIWMB.ca.gov The key contact and managers for this organizational profile have edit and trade privledges. If you would like to be added as a manager for this organization, contact mkirk@wested.org.