Advancing Equitable Environmental Literacy in Illinois
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Since spring 2020 EEAI has engaged with over 50 individuals representing more than 40 different organizations from around the state of Illinois in developing a foundational guide to advancing equitable environmental literacy in Illinois,
now titled EL4IL: Environmental Literacy for Illinois And we are ready to share it with you! |
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How to Use EL4IL
The EL4IL Project team envisions this document being used as a compliment to professional development workshops, courses and other events related to environmental education throughout Illinois. Additionally, EL4IL can be utilized by higher education faculty working with pre-service educators. This project is being funded by the Pisces Foundation.
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For Professional Development Providers
EL4IL was created to be used to help inform both actively working Illinois educators as well as pre-service educators in a wide range of fields. The EL4IL Educator Guide can help professional development providers understand how to incorporate EL4IL into an in-person or online workshop or use as an asynchronous assignment. |
IL EE Resource Database
Get a sneak peak at the "in progress" development of the Illinois EE Resource Database! This map and searchable feature will help educators connect with the facilities, resources and services in their area and across the state to advance equitable environmental literacy.
Technical issues are still being worked out so don't judge us too harshly just yet!
Interested in having your facility, resource or service added? It is FREE! Simply head to the site and click the ADD LISTING button to create your spot on the map.
Need help creating your listing? Check out these simple Listing Instructions on how to "Claim a Listing" or "Start a Listing".
Technical issues are still being worked out so don't judge us too harshly just yet!
Interested in having your facility, resource or service added? It is FREE! Simply head to the site and click the ADD LISTING button to create your spot on the map.
Need help creating your listing? Check out these simple Listing Instructions on how to "Claim a Listing" or "Start a Listing".
Climate Change EducationAs a part of EL4IL, EEAI hosted an IL Climate Change Panel Discussion in May 2022. This event included incredible panelists that shared a great deal of information on impacts and actions already being taking place here in IL. View a recording of the panel discussion HERE. Review resources shared by panelists HERE. |
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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
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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!