Building Relationships to Collaboratively and Inclusively Advance
the Field of Environmental Education in Illinois
the Field of Environmental Education in Illinois
Since spring 2020 EEAI has engaged with over 50 individuals representing more than 40 different organizations from around the state of Illinois in re-writing the Illinois Environmental Literacy Plan,
now titled EL4IL: Environmental Literacy for Illinois
And we are ready to share it with you!
View the 2021 EL4IL
now titled EL4IL: Environmental Literacy for Illinois
And we are ready to share it with you!
View the 2021 EL4IL
|
EL4IL Quick Overview |
|
This project is being funded by the Pisces Foundation.
Interested in learning more or receiving updates on the project? Contact Abbie Enlund, EEAI Executive Director at executivedirectoreeai@gmail.com
Interested in learning more or receiving updates on the project? Contact Abbie Enlund, EEAI Executive Director at executivedirectoreeai@gmail.com
Workshops
Environmental Justice in Illinois
November 30, 4:30pm - 6:00pm; Decemember 7 & 8, 4:00pm - 6:30pm
EEAI Members Full Workshop - $30
Non-Members Full Workshop - $40
Panel Discussion Event Only - $15
REGISTER
In an effort to advance environmental literacy in Illinois it is important that community members, educators and the public understand environmental justice; what it is, issues currently facing Illinois and what we can all do to get involved. This workshop series will present current information on environmental justice in Illinois and then also present an interactive workshop on how to bring the topic of environmental just to Illinois students in either formal classrooms or in non-formal education settings.
Participants are welcome to attend just the panel if they don't work directly with students. If you intend to participate in the EcoRise curriculum workshop we do ask that you either attend the panel live or view the recording prior to the curriculum workshop.
Environmental Justice Panel Details –
November 30 - 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Advancing environmental literacy in Illinois is inextricably tied to understanding and overcoming environmental justice issues facing Illinois communities. Join environmental justice experts and advocates from throughout the state of Illinois for an informational session. Hear about current environmental justice issues facing Illinois communities, work being done to address those issues and how community members can get involved. This diverse panel will share both local and statewide perspectives on these issues.
November 30, 4:30pm - 6:00pm; Decemember 7 & 8, 4:00pm - 6:30pm
EEAI Members Full Workshop - $30
Non-Members Full Workshop - $40
Panel Discussion Event Only - $15
REGISTER
In an effort to advance environmental literacy in Illinois it is important that community members, educators and the public understand environmental justice; what it is, issues currently facing Illinois and what we can all do to get involved. This workshop series will present current information on environmental justice in Illinois and then also present an interactive workshop on how to bring the topic of environmental just to Illinois students in either formal classrooms or in non-formal education settings.
Participants are welcome to attend just the panel if they don't work directly with students. If you intend to participate in the EcoRise curriculum workshop we do ask that you either attend the panel live or view the recording prior to the curriculum workshop.
Environmental Justice Panel Details –
November 30 - 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Advancing environmental literacy in Illinois is inextricably tied to understanding and overcoming environmental justice issues facing Illinois communities. Join environmental justice experts and advocates from throughout the state of Illinois for an informational session. Hear about current environmental justice issues facing Illinois communities, work being done to address those issues and how community members can get involved. This diverse panel will share both local and statewide perspectives on these issues.
Panelists -
Chris Pressnall, Environmental Justice Coordinator, Illinois EPA
Chris Pressnall is manager of the Illinois EPA’s environmental justice program. Before managing the environmental justice program, he spent 19 years in the Illinois EPA Division of Legal Counsel as an air enforcement attorney and legal counsel to the Illinois EPA’s environmental justice program. Chris holds a B.A. in Zoology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a J.D. from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Chris also spent approximately ten years as an adjunct faculty member for Richland Community College teaching public speaking, business law and environmental biology on campus and in correctional facilities.
Chris represents the Illinois EPA on the Illinois Commission on Environmental Justice. In addition, he assists with enhanced public outreach activities in areas of environmental justice concern regarding Illinois EPA’s permit, rulemaking, enforcement and other activities. As part of public outreach activities, Chris works directly with members of the public, community groups, industry and other government agencies to resolve issues raised by environmental justice communities. He is also responsible for maintaining Illinois EPA’s environmental justice policies and implementation throughout the Agency.
Chris Pressnall, Environmental Justice Coordinator, Illinois EPA
Chris Pressnall is manager of the Illinois EPA’s environmental justice program. Before managing the environmental justice program, he spent 19 years in the Illinois EPA Division of Legal Counsel as an air enforcement attorney and legal counsel to the Illinois EPA’s environmental justice program. Chris holds a B.A. in Zoology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a J.D. from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Chris also spent approximately ten years as an adjunct faculty member for Richland Community College teaching public speaking, business law and environmental biology on campus and in correctional facilities.
Chris represents the Illinois EPA on the Illinois Commission on Environmental Justice. In addition, he assists with enhanced public outreach activities in areas of environmental justice concern regarding Illinois EPA’s permit, rulemaking, enforcement and other activities. As part of public outreach activities, Chris works directly with members of the public, community groups, industry and other government agencies to resolve issues raised by environmental justice communities. He is also responsible for maintaining Illinois EPA’s environmental justice policies and implementation throughout the Agency.
Tonyisha Harris, Chicagoland Conservation Manager, Illinois Environmental Council
Tonyisha currently serves as the Chicagoland Conservation Manager at the IEC; she was previously the Clean Energy Programs Director. Beginning in September 2019, she has worked with the energy, conservation and Chicago teams on facilitation, organization, legislative education and policy development. Her goal is to create legislative environmental champions and stewards that will advocate for policy that improves green space and conservation job access to BIPOC communities.
Tonyisha is a Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Alumni and previously worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researching the effects of nutrient loads on the western basin of Lake Erie and for the Huron River Watershed Council as the Communications and Field Intern. Tonyisha was awarded her Open Water Scuba Dive certification in the Galapagos Islands.
She earned a bachelor’s of science with honors in Environmental Science from Loyola University Chicago. She enjoys singing karaoke, reading books and playing video games in her free time.
Tonyisha currently serves as the Chicagoland Conservation Manager at the IEC; she was previously the Clean Energy Programs Director. Beginning in September 2019, she has worked with the energy, conservation and Chicago teams on facilitation, organization, legislative education and policy development. Her goal is to create legislative environmental champions and stewards that will advocate for policy that improves green space and conservation job access to BIPOC communities.
Tonyisha is a Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Alumni and previously worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researching the effects of nutrient loads on the western basin of Lake Erie and for the Huron River Watershed Council as the Communications and Field Intern. Tonyisha was awarded her Open Water Scuba Dive certification in the Galapagos Islands.
She earned a bachelor’s of science with honors in Environmental Science from Loyola University Chicago. She enjoys singing karaoke, reading books and playing video games in her free time.
Rev. Michael L Atty; Congregations of Metro-East
Michael Atty is the Executive Director of United Congregations of Metro-East.
After working in corporate America for many years previously at IBM. He began working as a community organizer for Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) in St. Charles County. He worked with local clergy and laypersons to address structural racial disparity in education, policing and housing in the community.
He currently works in the Metro-East Illinois communities of East St. Louis, St. Clair and Madison counties. The work involves school to prison pipeline, transformational justice, education, economic justice, and environmental racism. Under his Leadership UCM played a pivotal role in the passage of CEJA and is working to insure its proper implementation.
Michael has a Master of Business Administration from Webster university. He completed his Master of Divinity degree in 2016 at Eden Theological Seminary. His focus was pastoral care for targeted communities and education ministry. In his current vocation It is his earnest desire to seek justice for all his persons. His personal faith-belief is that God wants the best for the lives of all human beings.
Michael Atty is the Executive Director of United Congregations of Metro-East.
After working in corporate America for many years previously at IBM. He began working as a community organizer for Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) in St. Charles County. He worked with local clergy and laypersons to address structural racial disparity in education, policing and housing in the community.
He currently works in the Metro-East Illinois communities of East St. Louis, St. Clair and Madison counties. The work involves school to prison pipeline, transformational justice, education, economic justice, and environmental racism. Under his Leadership UCM played a pivotal role in the passage of CEJA and is working to insure its proper implementation.
Michael has a Master of Business Administration from Webster university. He completed his Master of Divinity degree in 2016 at Eden Theological Seminary. His focus was pastoral care for targeted communities and education ministry. In his current vocation It is his earnest desire to seek justice for all his persons. His personal faith-belief is that God wants the best for the lives of all human beings.
Panel Moderator -
Ayesha Tasneem Qazi-Lampert, Science Teacher at Northside College Preparatory High School
Ayesha Tasneem Qazi-Lampert is a doctoral candidate in the Mathematics & Science Education Ph.D. program at UIC’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her prior degrees were also completed at UIC (B.S. in Biological Sciences in 2016 and MEd in Science Education in 2017). Ayesha teaches AP Environmental Science and Honors Biology at a Chicago public school, where she also serves on the Culture and Climate Committee. In 2020, she was appointed to the position of Associate of Science & Education at the Field Museum and currently serves on its Science & Education Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Task Force. A Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Chicago Environmental Educators non-profit organization, she supports a network of over 200 Chicago educators addressing environmental and climate injustices and redefining environmental education in partnership with community organizations. She is a contributing author of the 2020-2021 Environmental Literacy for Illinois Framework. She is a member of the UIC Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and Energy, the Chicago Teachers Union Climate Justice Committee, and the Chicago Biodiversity Assessment Advisory Board.
Ayesha Tasneem Qazi-Lampert, Science Teacher at Northside College Preparatory High School
Ayesha Tasneem Qazi-Lampert is a doctoral candidate in the Mathematics & Science Education Ph.D. program at UIC’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her prior degrees were also completed at UIC (B.S. in Biological Sciences in 2016 and MEd in Science Education in 2017). Ayesha teaches AP Environmental Science and Honors Biology at a Chicago public school, where she also serves on the Culture and Climate Committee. In 2020, she was appointed to the position of Associate of Science & Education at the Field Museum and currently serves on its Science & Education Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Task Force. A Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Chicago Environmental Educators non-profit organization, she supports a network of over 200 Chicago educators addressing environmental and climate injustices and redefining environmental education in partnership with community organizations. She is a contributing author of the 2020-2021 Environmental Literacy for Illinois Framework. She is a member of the UIC Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and Energy, the Chicago Teachers Union Climate Justice Committee, and the Chicago Biodiversity Assessment Advisory Board.
Environmental Justice Curriculum Workshop Details -
December 7 & 8 - 4:00pm - 6:30pm (must be able to attend both days)
Join EcoRise staff for a dive into our Introduction to Environmental Justice (EJ) curriculum. These multi-session EJ lessons create a foundation for students' understanding of EJ history and concepts and explore how leadership, community action, and policy change can bring long-overdue justice. We will also touch on how some of the activities explore how kindness, compassion, and empathy can contribute to repairing the damage caused by racist behaviors, policies, and systems, creating a better world for all.
This workshop will focus on:
(1) The tools and skills necessary to cultivate the mindset and posture that is essential to effectively engaging students in environmental justice work.
(2) Lesson demos, exploration, discussion, and planning, including -
December 7 & 8 - 4:00pm - 6:30pm (must be able to attend both days)
Join EcoRise staff for a dive into our Introduction to Environmental Justice (EJ) curriculum. These multi-session EJ lessons create a foundation for students' understanding of EJ history and concepts and explore how leadership, community action, and policy change can bring long-overdue justice. We will also touch on how some of the activities explore how kindness, compassion, and empathy can contribute to repairing the damage caused by racist behaviors, policies, and systems, creating a better world for all.
This workshop will focus on:
(1) The tools and skills necessary to cultivate the mindset and posture that is essential to effectively engaging students in environmental justice work.
(2) Lesson demos, exploration, discussion, and planning, including -
- Key environmental justice topics at both the local and national level
- A brief EJ Timeline
- EcoRise's beautiful EJ Hero poster series
- EJ solutions, through role-playing advocacy strategies, researching EJ policies, and practicing policy writing.
EcoRise Workshop Faclitators
|
Kizzy Hannibal Xolani:
Kizzy is the Co-Founder of EcoRise and the Program Manager for D.C. and Northern California, where she supports K-12 teachers in both of those regions with their sustainability and environmental education initiatives. She provides facilitation and support for EcoRise's yearlong Youth Climate Council programs in Austin and San Antonio and has 20 years of experience in running youth leadership programs and launching non-profit organizations. She is passionate about accessible education, justice, equity, community upliftment and fostering local intergenerational leadership. She is a co-creator of EcoRise’s Environmental Justice (EJ) curriculum and EJ Professional Development workshops. |
Zakhia Grant:
Zakhia Grant is the Northeast Program Manager for EcoRise and provides professional development for K-12 teachers participating in the Sustainable Intelligence program in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. She brings with her more than a decade of experience teaching science sustainability at both High School and College levels in NYC. She is passionate about equity and justice in sustainability and environmental education. Zakhia holds a B.A. in Geology from George Washington University an M.S. in Geology from Bowling Green State University. She is a collaborator of EcoRise’s Environmental Justice (EJ) curriculum and EJ Professional Development workshops. |
|
|
2010 Environmental Literacy Plan for IllinoisThe Environmental Literacy for Illinois (EL for IL) strategic plan was originally released in July of 1995. In January of 1998 six of the 10 original committee chairs met in Bloomington to revise and update the plan to reflect upon objectives that had been met, as well as the technological advances achieved in the past few years. The original plan was endorsed by over 200 leaders throughout the state, from agency personnel and nature center staff, to educators and Illinois State Board of Education staff. During Conservation Congress 2000, Environmental Literacy for Illinois won the full support of the congressional body and was unanimously passed for statewide adoption.
In May of 2005, a revision team convened to amend the plan to reflect the accomplishments of the plan’s goals since its conception and modify it for the next five years. The revision was available for review to over 150 environmental educators throughout the state. In October of 2009, the Conservation Congress voted on a number of recommendations to increase youth involvement and interest in outdoor activities. The top recommendation in the Youth Recruitment and Retention subcommittee made by the congress was to update the Environmental Literacy for Illinois strategic plan. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources engaged the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to develop this plan, with input from over 30 organizations. Governor Pat Quinn signed Executive Order 10-7 on April 14, 2010, supporting the adoption of the Environmental Literacy for Illinois strategic plan. |
What is an Environmental Literacy Plan? Environmental literacy plans (ELPs) are state-specific comprehensive frameworks that support school systems in expanding and improving environmental education programs.
ELPs: • Ensure that environmental education activities are aligned with student graduation requirements and help achieve state education goals • Integrate environmental education fully, efficiently, and appropriately into formal education systems • Align teacher professional development opportunities in environmental education with student achievement goals in environmental literacy • Ensure consistency, accuracy, and excellence in environmental content knowledge • Engage underserved communities through an inclusive process so that all stakeholders are beneficiaries of environmental education in schools • Involve non-formal environmental education providers, state natural resource agencies, community organizations, and other partners in environmental education activities in schools • Serve as a necessary component of a comprehensive state environmental education program State Environmental Literacy Plan Resources NAAEE - State Environmental Literacy Plans 2014 Status Report Developing a Statewide Environmental Literacy Plan |
2020 Sponsoring Organizations
The Field Museum
Chicago Wilderness
Mary Rice
Chicago Wilderness
Mary Rice
|
|
Want to be Involved in this Work?
Become a Sponsoring Organization -
As the lead organization on the re-writing of the IL Statewide Environmental Literacy Plan, the Environmental Education Association of Illinois will be working hard to advocate for the full adoption and endorsement of this plan by Illinois educators, governing bodies and the public. To support this effort please consider making a donation to EEAI. Funds donated to EEAI will go directly toward staff time in advocating for the plan and in continued support of the implementation of the literacy plan. Organizations that choose to give a minimum of $250 will be listed on the plan as a Sponsoring Organization. Sponsoring organizations will have their logo or organizational name listed on this website, on the final "home" website for the EL4IL, in the final publication of the EL4IL and in future press releases or promotional materials for the project. In addition, Sponsoring Organizations will be provided the EL4IL logo that they can place on their own websites as a way to advertise their support. Simply click the DONATE button below to get started!
As the lead organization on the re-writing of the IL Statewide Environmental Literacy Plan, the Environmental Education Association of Illinois will be working hard to advocate for the full adoption and endorsement of this plan by Illinois educators, governing bodies and the public. To support this effort please consider making a donation to EEAI. Funds donated to EEAI will go directly toward staff time in advocating for the plan and in continued support of the implementation of the literacy plan. Organizations that choose to give a minimum of $250 will be listed on the plan as a Sponsoring Organization. Sponsoring organizations will have their logo or organizational name listed on this website, on the final "home" website for the EL4IL, in the final publication of the EL4IL and in future press releases or promotional materials for the project. In addition, Sponsoring Organizations will be provided the EL4IL logo that they can place on their own websites as a way to advertise their support. Simply click the DONATE button below to get started!