Secretary’s Advisory Group on Environmental Education

1. Secretary’s Advisory Group onEnvironmental Education Presentation to Ellen Roy Herzfelder, SecretaryExecutive Office of Environmental Affairs Fall 2003

2. Mission of SAGEE The Secretaries Advisory Group on Environmental Education (SAGEE) was formed in 1973 to advise the Secretaries of Environmental Affairs and Education on strategy for the development of environmental education in the Commonwealth. SAGEE is a statewide organization comprised of 40 members that meets quarterly and works with designated EOEA and DOE staff to provide counsel and assistance in implementing a plan for environmental education throughout the Commonwealth.

3. Accomplishments & Current Projects • The Massachusetts Environmental Education Plan (MEEP) was adopted in April 2001 and is in an implementation phase • Benchmarks on the Way to Environmental Literacy were developed by SAGEE and are being used by educators statewide in conjunction with MA Curriculum Frameworks • The Environment as an Integrating Context (EIC), established in six MA schools, is a research-based educational model developed by the State Education and Environment Roundtable (SEER) comprised of MA and 15 other states. The number of EIC Schools is being increased each year as the program becomes established. • Five Regional Environmental Education Alliances (REEAs) are currently active. • The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) National Conference was hosted in Boston August 2002. SAGEE was the local co-sponsor of the conference with one of its Steering Committee members serving as conference co-chair. • SAGEE members, trained during a National Association for Environmental Education's Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines for Learning facilitator’s workshop, are now training Massachusetts educators to use environmental education as a means to align their work with both the state and National standards. • The annual Environmental Education Awards, facilitated by SAGEE and presented by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, celebrated a 9th successful year • The Environmental Education Resource Guide was edited, printed and distributed.

4. Going Forward ~ 2003-2004 • SAGEE proposes to: • Continue to implement and evaluate the Massachusetts Environmental Education Plan (MEEP) • Redesign EE Awards Program to reach a broader audience • Develop a sustainable environment for the EIC program and EIC schools • Continue to support the formation of the Regional Environmental Education Alliances (REEAs) and strengthen the REEA Networks • Strategize and work with institutions of higher learning to develop a mechanism for infusing environmental education into teacher education programs • Develop a plan for Professional Development for in-service teachers and EE educators and develop a mechanism for distributing information on professional development opportunities statewide • Promote and, when appropriate, provide guidance on the development of education projects that support the Secretary's Initiatives

5. SAGEE support of the Secretary’s Initiatives Coastal Zone Management and Ocean Zoning • Identify and support education programs that focus on coastal zone management issues and ocean zoning. • Advise EOEA on potential education opportunities or project development that promote EOEA policy Targeted Land Protection • Advise on educational components of the land protection program Office of Public-Private Partnerships • Assist in forming strategy and building support with educational organizations • Advise on potential partnerships with educational agencies/organizations World Class Park System • Promote the need for high quality education programs as part of a world class park system • Advise on the types, quality and content of programs • Advocate for private/public stewardship and collaboration for park programs Lean and Green Permitting • Advisory role for SAGEE on providing education programs on the need for permitting processes and policy

6. EOEA Action Items • Administrative Support • Rehiring of Environmental Education Director at EOEA • Advocacy and funding support from EOEA and DOE for implementation of the MEEP and the establishment of REEAs • Use of SAGEE as a sounding board forEnvironmental Education related policies and initiatives • Advocacy for a sustainable environment for the EIC program • Advocacy for Environmental Bond Bill Appropriations • Advocacy for the Massachusetts Environmental Trust

7. Working Committees • MEEP Implementation Committee • MEEP Planning • EIC Advisory • REEA Roundtable • Professional Development • Higher Education • SAGEE Projects Committee • EE Awards • Web Site Development • Long Range Planning Committee • Secretary’s Initiatives Committee

8. The Steering Committee 1. Louise Preissler, past chair 2003Mass Audubon 2. Sandi Ryack-Bell, chair 2004Dunn Foundation 3. Gregg Swanzey 2005 Schooner Ernestina Commission 4. John Halloran 2006 Newburyport Public Schools 5. Jane Heinze-Fry 2007Educational Consultant 6. Meg Colcloughex-officio EOEA 7. Barbara Libbyex-officio DOE

9. Items for Discussion • Under current budgetary restraints how much EE support will be given to environmental education? What is possible? • How can SAGEE better serve the Secretary and EOEA? • Are there any projects the Secretary would like SAGEE to undertake or become involved in?