I recently began working at the Environmental Business Council of New England after many years of seasonal EE work. I enjoy the great outdoors, exploring New England (and someday, the world), and taking advantage of our fair City of Boston.

NEWS

April 16, 2012. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced the formation of an interagency task force on Environmental Education, to be co-led by EPA and the U.S. Departments of Education and Interior at the first-ever White House Summit on Environmental Education.
Administrator Jackson also committed $5 million in EPA funds for environmental education in next year’s budget. This includes money for teach professional development, grants to schools, and funding for the National Environmental Education Foundation.
http://www.epa.gov/education/eesummit.html

May 11, 2012. The first public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) was available for review from May 11th through June 1st. Twenty six states led the development of the NGSS, which is based on A Framework for K-12 Science Education, issued by the National Research Council last summer. It is expected that the NGSS will have a profound influence on curriculum, assessment, and teacher professional development. A feedback report will be issued that will explain how the feeback was handled and why, and a revised draft will be released in the Fall of 2012.
http://www.nextgenscience.org/

June 19, 2012. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has opened it’s 2012 Call for Award Nominations! The awards range from Outstanding Contribution to Research to K-12 Educator of the Year. Submission Deadline: July 31, 2012
http://www.naaee.net/programs/awards

EVENTS

July 21-22, 2012. For the third year in a row, Outdoor Nation is hosting its signature summits. Their goal is to gather together America’s youth to find solutions to the challenges that are keeping people indoors. Visit this website http://www.outdoornation.org/page/boston-summit to find out more!

September & October, 2012. COASTSWEEP, the Massachusetts annual statewide beach cleanup, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! COASTSWEEP cleanups take place in September and October throughout the state. Check their website http://www.coastsweep.umb.edu/ for a cleanup location near you!

October 26, 2012. The Northeast Environmental Education Association (NEEEA) is hosting a day-long gathering focused on ELP implementation, best practices, leadership development, building a broader environmental education base, and more! Save the date and check the NEEEA website soon for more information! www.neeea.org