1997 Assembly Joint Resolution 115
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming April 22 "Environmental Education Works for Wisconsin!" Day.
Whereas, the citizens of Wisconsin fully cherish and utilize the abundant natural resources of this state for recreation, agriculture, business and industry; and
Whereas, policy and natural resource leaders in Wisconsin have long recognized the need for education about our state's natural resources, education about the issues related to those resources and education to teach the skills to investigate and equitably resolve natural resource conflicts and challenges; and
Whereas, education about the environment has been supported through public policy by the legislature since 1935 when a law was enacted requiring that conservation be taught in every public school and be included in teacher training programs; and
Whereas, the 1935 conservation education legislation was enhanced 50 years later by promulgation of an administrative rule updating teacher certification requirements in environmental education and requiring an environmental education plan by every school district; and
Whereas, these policies were followed in 1990 by the passage of the Wisconsin Environmental Education Act, which created a state center for environmental education, a grants program and the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board; and
Whereas, Wisconsin has received national recognition and awards for its policy and program leadership in the field of environmental education; and
Whereas, the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education's "Environmental Education: Are We Walking the Talk?" study concluded that environmental education policies have not been fully implemented; yet the same report found that there was broad public support for environmental education as a core educational experience for K-12 students; and
Whereas, the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board held an environmental education summit in 1995 that resulted in the following priorities: increased communication regarding Wisconsin's environmental education program; increased environmental education leadership in the state; and improvement of environmental education programming in the state; and
Whereas, communities throughout Wisconsin are utilizing environmental education as a vehicle for ensuring excellence in education, making education relevant to learners, developing a workforce capable of meeting the challenges of the future, improving the quality of life for communities and increasing parent and community participation in the development of young people; and
Whereas, the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) and the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board (WEEB) have launched the "EE Works for Wisconsin!" campaign to recognize and celebrate the history and many achievements of environmental education in Wisconsin; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature declares April 22, 1998, (Earth Day 1998) "EE Works for Wisconsin!" Day; and, be it further
Resolved, That school teachers and informal educators, business and industry representatives, members of community organizations, education and natural resource agency administrators and other Wisconsin citizens are encouraged to identify and highlight exemplary examples of environmental education programs in their communities and in the state during "EE Works for Wisconsin!" Earth Day 1998; and, be it further
Resolved, That teachers and informal educators, business and industry representatives, members of community organizations and other Wisconsin citizens are urged to help implement and improve Wisconsin's environmental education programs and policies so that they may fully reach their potential in developing an environmentally knowledgeable Wisconsin citizenry.
