Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan
- Healthy kids * Career Readiness * Sustainable development of Alaska’s natural resources
Welcome
We want our children to be physically and mentally healthy, and to spend more quality time outdoors.
We need to enhance students’ academic achievements and prepare them for life and work through innovative, real-world, hands-on learning.
We rely on Alaska’s natural resources for our livelihoods and quality of life.
We want our children to graduate prepared to manage and develop Alaska’s natural resources wisely for today and future generations.
The Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan is a pathway to reach these goals.
Our Vision: Alaska’s students will graduate from high school as environmentally-literate citizens. They will have personal connections with the natural environment; understand the complex relationships between community, culture, economy, and the environment; and be prepared to manage and develop Alaska’s rich natural resources wisely for today and future generations.
The Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan IS:
- Good for Alaska’s economy by preparing Alaska students to sustainably develop and manage our natural resources with the necessary knowledge and complex problem-solving skills;
- A path to guide PreK-12 public schools in integrating environmental education, including active outdoor learning, as part of the school curricula with support from community partners;
- A natural way to incorporate traditional knowledge and culture into formal schooling;
- Aligned with science, technology and math (STEM) literacy initiatives;
- A proven approach to integrate subjects such as science, math, social studies, reading, writing, taxes & real estate the arts, and physical education;
- A way to teach children to explore all sides of an issue and make informed decisions;
- Relevant education using local knowledge and expertise;
- Beneficial to children academically, physically and emotionally.
The Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan is NOT:
- A curriculum;
- A program that teaches children a single point of view about natural resource development or other environmental issues;
- Politically agenda-driven;
- A new state or local district mandate or requirement to teach specific content.
Help us prepare Alaska’s youth for their future!
Alaska is ready to take a more prescriptive approach toward achieving an environmentally literate citizenry. The next step is approval by the State Board of Education and Early Development and implementation of the Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan.
- Provide general comments for the Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan here, provide detailed comments on the draft plan here, or email Bjørn Wolter.
- Write a Letter of Support yourself and encourage organizations, school districts and others you know to submit resolutions or letters of support for the Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan. Send these to Bjørn Wolter.
- Visit and “Like” the Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan Facebook page to view a sample support letter or resolution and to get updates on Environmental Literacy Plan activities. Share your success stories on the page.
Send questions, draft plan comments, resolutions and letters to:
Bjørn Wolter
State Science Specialist
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
P.O. Box 110500
Juneau, AK 99811-0500
907.465.6542
Executive Summary, Authors, and Supporters
Executive Summary
Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan
The Vision
Alaska’s students will graduate from high school with a strong foundation in natural resource and environmental literacy. Students will have personal connections to nature; understand the complex relationships between community, culture, economy, and the environment; and be prepared to make informed decisions about the sustainable management and development of our state’s rich natural resources for today and for future generations.
About the Plan
The Alaska Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Plan provides a road map for supporting our schools in integrating natural resource and environmental education, including active outdoor learning, as part of the school curricula. It also provides opportunities to use local expertise, incorporate indigenous knowledge and culture, support thematic teaching by integrating subjects, and align with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) national and state initiatives.
This plan has was initially developed by a diverse Working Group of educators and natural resource professionals facilitated by representatives from two state agencies, the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. During a six-month comment period individuals, organizations, and agencies provided input, resulting in this revised draft plan.
Implementation of the plan will result in no new educational mandates, nor will it dictate what should be taught in the classroom or during outdoor activities. It will allow schools and community partners to receive support to implement successful place-based learning opportunities, develop outdoor classrooms, and provide important professional development for teachers, administrators, and community members.
Alaska’s students will benefit from the implementation of this plan. Educational research makes clear that students will do better in school, have fewer behavioral and health problems, be more engaged in learning, and will be more prepared for future jobs.
Goals
- Provide all PreK-12 children in Alaska with opportunities to engage in safe outdoor learning experiences as part of regular instruction.
- Support Alaska Department of Education & Early Development Standards by further incorporating natural resource and environmental literacy across subject areas.
- Foster partnerships with nonprofit organizations, businesses, industry groups, tribal organizations, and government agencies to enhance meaningful service-learning experiences for students that also benefit communities and their local environment.
- Enhance professional development for educators, administrators, and community members in natural resource and environmental literacy.
- Support the development of Alaska school facilities, grounds, and local natural areas that provide accessible learning opportunities and serve as community models for healthy living and sustainability.
Implementation
Objectives and strategies that support the plan’s goals are to be implemented over the next five years, with preliminary work beginning in 2014 as approval, funding, and staff resources are able to support it. While the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game will continue to provide leadership for the plan, its successful implementation will require the participation and contribution of diverse individuals and entities throughout Alaska. Financial and in-kind support for the implementation of the plan will come from grants, collaboration, and partnerships among Alaska’s school districts, organizations, agencies, and businesses.
The Working Group identified three structural components needed to achieve the plan’s goals:
- An active statewide Natural Resource and Environmental Literacy Leadership Council, comprising professionals from school districts, natural resource agencies and industries, tribal organizations and Native corporations, educational nonprofit organizations, and outdoor recreation organizations.
- School or school district liaisons to facilitate the integration of the plan at the local level.
- A paid coordinator who has the resources and flexibility necessary to provide assistance in plan implementation to the diverse stakeholders involved.
Visit http://www.akelp.org for updates or “Like” the Alaska Natural Resource & Environmental Literacy Plan Facebook page to get updates on plan activities.
Send questions, plan comments, resolutions and letters to:
Bjørn Wolter
State Science Specialist
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
P.O. Box 110500
Juneau, AK 99811-0500
907.465.6542
Organizations, Agencies, and Businesses in support of ANRELP
- Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
- Alaska Department of Fish & Game
- Alaska Department of Health & Social Services Obesity Prevention and Control Program
- Alaska Native Knowledge Network
- Alaska Natural Resource & Outdoor Education Association
- Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition
- Alaska Safe Routes to Schools Program
- Alaska Science Teachers Association
- Alaska Trails
- Anvil City Science Academy
- Arctic Northwest Borough School District
- BLM Campbell Creek Science Center
- Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
- Center for Ocean Sciences Excellence Education (COSEE Alaska)
- Chugach Express Sled Academy Discovery Southeast
- Chugach State Park
- Discovery Southeast
- Eagle River Nature Center
- Fairbanks Soil & Water Conservation District
- 4-H Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Haines Borough School Board
- Island Design
- Hamilton Oil Field Services
- Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Northwest Arctic Borough School District
- Sitka Sound Science Center
- The Alaska Botanical Garden
- The Spring Creek Farm Campus, Alaska Pacific University Field School
- The Watershed School
- The WILD Foundation USDA Forest Service Alaska Region
- Territorial Sportsmen
- Tok Welding
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service- Alaska Region
Individuals who support ANRELP:
- Joshua Akerelrea Sr.
- Kate Alexander
- Nancy Ambrose
- Jessica Armstrong
- Anita Atakitig
- Ray Barnhardt
- MaryLunn Barnwell
- Olivia Barrow
- Susan Baxter
- Jessika Beam
- Tennie Bentz
- Gretchen Bishop
- Tricia Blake
- Karen Blejwas
- Melissa Borton
- Gwendolyn Brazier
- Hannah Brewster
- Steve Brockmann
- Annie Brule
- A.S. (Meg) Burgett
- Karla Bush
- Henrietta Callewaert
- Shirley Campbell
- Billeen Carlson
- Patrick Chandler
- Stuart Chapin
- Vernon Chimegalrea
- Renee Claggett
- Suzanne Cohen
- Cathy Connor
- Martha Cook
- Darsie Culbeck
- Kelly Dau
- Christi Davidson
- Dorothy DeBlauw
- Laurel Devaney
- Maggie Donnelly
- Robin Dublin
- Miriam Dunbar
- Faith Duncan
- Cindy Fabbri
- Leonard Fitka Jr.
- Jaylene Fitka
- Melanie Flamme
- Scott Fritz
- Sandra Frost
- Susan Georgette
- Joanna Greene
- Deborah Greene
- Margaret Hansen
- Elizabeth Hatton
- Annette Heckart
- Molly Hickox
- Todd Hindman
- Melanie Hinzman
- Cynthia Holderith
- Julee Houlton
- Victoria Houser
- Lissa Hughes
- Jen Jackson
- Jeni Mason
- Heather Johnson
- Mary T. Kennedy
- Rebecca Kipf
- Kimberly J. Klein
- Delores Kochuten
- Iris Korhonen-Penn
- Janie Kueber
- Merrill Lake
- Colleen Laraux
- Ken Leghorn
- Robert G. Lewis
- Sarah Liben
- Caitlin Marine
- Martin C. Marshall
- Katherin Matoksy
- Julianne McGuinness
- Scott McKim
- Chip McMillan
- Saunders McNeill
- Jenni Medley
- Debbie Michael
- Dave Mitchell
- Herman Morgan
- Paul Morley
- Kate Morse
- Teresa Moyer
- Katrina Mueller
- Albert D. Murphy Jr.
- John Neary
- Richard Newman
- Maureen Nolan
- Kay Lynn Odle-Moore
- Susan Oehlers
- Cynthia Paniyah
- Justine Pechuzal
- Grey Pendleton
- John T. Phillip
- Ken Phillips
- Nick Racine
- Ann Rappoport
- Cathy Rezabeck
- Susan Rogers
- Kristen Romanoff
- Patrick Ryan
- Paula Savikko
- Jaime Schmidt
- Tobias Schwoerer
- Carol Scott
- Ellie Sharman
- Michael Shay
- Mike Shea
- Christa Shier
- Linda Slaght
- Michael Sloan
- Alicia Smith
- Erin Smith
- Joette Storm
- Brittany Sweeney
- Moses Tcherigermoff
- Jennifer Thompson
- Cathy Tighe
- Freddy L. Titus
- Beth Trowbridge
- Fran Ulmer
- Melissa Viator
- Lynnette West
- David West
- Honey Lou Wilson
- Woody Woogate
- Soren Wuerth