Happy Earth Day from our Co-Chairs

At the heart of Earth Day is the drive toward individual and collective action to care for the Earth and the systems that humans and all life depend on for air, water, food, and green space.

Did you know that Washington has learning standards designed to engage our students in exploring, understanding, and taking action to solve environmental problems in their communities? Washington’s K-12 Integrated Environmental and Sustainability Education Learning Standards are under revision and should be adopted and released in late 2024. Meanwhile, check out the state Environmental and Sustainability Literacy Plan. The goal of the plan is to ensure that our students have the ability and mindset to take individual and collective action that addresses environmental problems in their communities.

Thank you for your contributions to environmental and sustainability education in Washington! Every time you act, whether individually, collectively, in large or small ways, your actions add up to make a big positive change. Thank you for making a difference in your community!

In Solidarity,

Elizabeth and Courtney

A Message from Dylan Gschwind, Chair of the Catalyst Committee

When I moved to Washington three years ago with no job and minimal connections, I was eager to explore what folks were doing around here towards environmental and sustainability education. I discovered E3 Washington and after connecting with then co-chair, Sylvia Hadnot, I knew I wanted to get involved. But how? As an established outdoor educator with a budding interest in politics and policy, the Catalyst Committee stood out as a place where I could facilitate long-lasting, systemic change in the industry. At the start of 2023, I raised my hand to help chair these efforts.

Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others

A Resource from Pepperdine University’s Graduate Program

The purpose of this resource is to educate readers on the prevalence of prejudice and implicit bias in society, including information about what marginalized groups are most likely to be harmed by prejudice. The resource features information about how one can be an ally and an advocate for change, as well as how people experiencing discrimination can build resilience against these types of behaviors.

The Days Are Getting Longer by Chase Buffington

After the winter solstice in December, we gain 2 minutes of daylight until mid-February, when the gains turn to 3 minutes. In late April to early May, we gain 2 minutes per day again until we reach the summer solstice in late June.

What does this mean for our lives? Well, for those who need vitamin D in the shape of sunshine, we get to spend a little more time outside! Family, friends, and our communities, this is something to celebrate. If you have never created a calendar of games, “The Days Are Getting Longer” is a fresh educational take on learning about our solstice. That new calendar you received in December may have cute new puppies or national parks each month; I forgot we use our phones nowadays. For this purpose, it might even work better.

Every ten days, mark a reminder or place it on your calendar to do something fun with family and friends.

Kicking Gas: Lower The Burn by Founder Derek Hoshiko

With little advance notice, and shortly after back to school, I was following up on a whim. A reporter wanted to talk to a student leader I know about how the youth climate movement’s success in getting their city to declare a climate emergency led to a campaign I’ve been running called Kicking Gas, which helps homes transition from combustion fuels for home heating to efficient ductless heat pumps. 

EPA Announce $375 Million in Funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for New Recycling, Reuse and Waste Prevention Grant Programs and Initiatives

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $375 million in funding through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for new recycling, reuse and waste prevention programs. The Agency published three Requests for Information seeking input on the design of these new materials management initiatives, the first step in the process to implement the largest EPA investment in recycling in 30 years.

Washington's Outdoor School for All Spring 2022

It is spring 2022, just over two years since we canceled our season and started the ups and downs roller coaster. At the Cispus Learning Center, our staff stepped outside by our flagpole. It was blue in the sky, and the temperature was warming up. A recognizable sound began to stir, and the yellow buses pulled into the facility. Our sign said “Welcome Back” for those kids; it started a week-long adventure filled with nature, imagination, hands-on earth, and peer-to-peer growth. The students probably thought, “Welcome Back?” We’ve never been. For camp staff, it was a welcome relief to see those buses. It meant we had survived and managed to keep our operation ready for this beautiful day. Read more about Washington’s new Outdoor School for All Bill for 5th and 6th grade students.

Environmental and Sustainability Literacy Plan 2022 Published

OSPI and E3 Washington (Education, Environment, and Economy) led the development of the Washington State Environmental and Sustainability Literacy Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to build on and leverage programs and initiatives already underway in Washington state. We hope to ensure that students in Washington have ample opportunities to increase their environmental literacy and enhance their academic achievement through real-world, integrated, project based learning. Additionally, we want to ensure that Washington state is well-positioned to obtain private and public funding to support this work. Access Environmental and Sustainability Literacy Plan Here.

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