Environmental Literacy Study Finds Promising Trends, Need for Additional Support in California Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 25, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ten Strands
Camille Soliva
Communications Specialist
csoliva@tenstrands.org

The Lawrence Hall of Science
Margot Frey
Marketing Director
newsroom@berkeley.edu

Environmental Literacy Study Finds Promising Trends, Need for Additional Support in California Schools

Berkeley, CA – California educators have the experience and will to integrate environmental education in the state’s classrooms and outdoor spaces but seek more resources and support, according to a new report released by The Lawrence Hall of Science, the California Environmental Literacy Initiative, and Ten Strands. The report shares the findings of a yearlong landscape study of the implementation of environmental literacy in schools across California.

The study, Peaks and Valleys: A landscape study of environmental literacy implementation in and out of California’s TK-12 Classrooms, found both positive trends and opportunities for improvement. Over 80% of surveyed educators and administrators desire more integration of environmental education in their districts, classrooms, and outdoor spaces. However, many expressed a need for additional curricular materials and professional development to support their environmental education implementation.

California teachers particularly seek support in thinking about the intersections of race, culture, and environmental literacy. The study’s authors see an opportunity to develop more learning materials emphasizing these intersections and to partner with Native communities to build capacity for teaching and sharing traditional indigenous ecological knowledge.

Environmental literacy describes the knowledge, skills, and understanding of scientific and social science principles to analyze environmental issues and make informed decisions that lead to sustainable, prosperous, and equitable communities today and in the future.

“I hope our findings position CA educators to get what they need so that every student in the state has access to environmental literacy instruction across subjects and grades. I also hope this study is the first of many–I would love for us to continue this work in other states across the country,” said Melissa A. Collins, PhD, senior research lead at The Lawrence.

In light of concerns and challenges posed by climate change, the California State Board of Education has identified environmental literacy as a key learning objective for all K-12 students in the state. Researchers aimed to measure how much environmental education is happening in California classrooms and outdoor spaces and the degree to which educators and administrators feel supported in their implementation efforts.

The study is a collaboration between The Lawrence Hall of Science and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI), a fiscally-sponsored program of Ten Strands, a California–based nonprofit that works to strengthen the partnerships and strategies that will bring climate and environmental literacy to all of California’s TK–12 students.

“Ten Strands and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative were pleased to partner once again with the Lawrence Hall of Science on an important environmental literacy project,” said CEO of Ten Strands Karen Cowe. “This new report reveals encouraging progress in promoting environmental literacy in California, but it also highlights the need for further support to ensure all students have access to environment-based experiences.”

“Decades of research demonstrate the numerous benefits of spending time outdoors for children,” Karen Cowe continued. “While systemic change is challenging, especially in a state as large as California, the state has a track record of tackling difficult education issues. Increasing investments in nature-based and outdoor learning is achievable, particularly given the significant benefits for children.”

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About The Lawrence Hall of Science

The Lawrence Hall of Science is UC Berkeley’s public science center and a learning lab—a place where world-class researchers engage with critical questions and major challenges facing science, technology, engineering, and math education. The Lawrence’s mission is to inspire and engage through scientific discovery and learning to advance equity and opportunity. Each year, The Lawrence provides the science curriculum for 20% of US students through its standards-based curriculum and model programs for learners and educators. Since 1968, The Lawrence has inspired tomorrow in local, national, and global communities with innovative and engaging learning experiences, reaching 12 million young people annually in schools, museums, and informal learning spaces in all 50 states and worldwide.