Environmental Education For All
As people spend an increasing amount of time indoors and connected through technology, there is a tendency to become disconnected with the environment. Now more than ever, there is a need for environmental education! What are some environmental issues in your community? What are some solutions to those issues? The answers usually aren’t easy or simple.
Environmental education is more than learning about trees, recycling, and air quality. According to the EPA, “Environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment.” This process requires individuals to become knowledgeable about environmental issues, without being influenced or swayed by the educator.
We are facing several environmental issues around the world - and here in Tennessee - that require unique, creative, and complex solutions. It is important that students are learning about topics like solid waste disposal, water quality, urban sprawl, and nutrient runoff, so that they can be a part of the solution. In order for the next generation to be environmentally literate citizens, we need both formal and informal educators to provide and participate in environmental education and stewardship.
With this in mind, OPSP has gathered and developed resources for students, teachers, and parents. These resources are educational materials focused on the environment and related topics developed by our partners and other organizations. OPSP is in the process of hosting TDEC's first Virtual Summer Camp, which provides environmental education geared for students K-12 in June and July through social media platforms. The camp features daily activities centered around Make a Difference Mondays, Trash Reduction Tuesdays, Wildlife Wednesdays, Earth Friendly Thursdays and Food Waste Fridays. Check out the latest video by clicking on the image below.
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Environmental Justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, income, gender, or age with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Historically, low-income and minority communities have faced a disproportionate burden of environmental pollution in air, water, and land and have lacked equal access to opportunities to participate in the regulatory process. EJ considerations seek to address these inconsistencies and promote more just practices. The concept of EJ became widespread in the 1980’s as a movement focused on the intersection of environmentalism and social justice. EJ and sustainability are interdependent, and both play important roles in working toward environmental health and equity.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), in addition to protecting the state’s environmental quality and overseeing natural resources, also promotes environmental equity and justice in the administration of the Tennessee’s environmental programs.
If you would like to learn more about environmental justice, here are some educational links about the topic:
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Did you know that an estimated 1 in 7 Tennesseans are food insecure? Despite these astonishing levels of food insecurity, 40 percent of the food produced in the US goes uneaten. This equates to around $218 billion that is spent growing, processing, transporting, and disposing of food that is never eaten. Through Get Food Smart TN, the state of Tennessee is working to provide information to Tennesseans about food waste, through conducting outreach and developing educational resources, as well as providing technical assistance to restaurants, schools, organizations, and other businesses. Recently, we created a guide with information on how to fight food insecurity in Tennessee. We’ve also recently created an educational infographic on upcycled foods and the role they play in reducing food waste. This month, in support of the TN Kids Serve Summer Challenge, we have partnered with First Lady Maria Lee to develop a video as a call to action for Tennesseans to fight food insecurity through donating time, food, and financial resources. Check it out above!
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| TGSP Member Highlight
GM's Spring Hill manufacturing facility is committed to sustainability and has won the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry six times. Learn more about GM's commitment to sustainability in our June TGSP Member Highlight.
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OPSP serves as the host and primary contact for the Tennessee Higher Education Sustainability Network (TN HESN). Through the TN HESN, we are now offering a Listserv where faculty, administrators, staff, students, and other organizations, who interact with Tennessee’s higher education institutions can come together to collaborate, support, share, and advise on best practices for incorporating sustainability into schools and with community projects that address environmental, economic, and health issues that impact resident’s quality of life.
In the upcoming Fall semester, we will also be distributing our first Tennessee Higher Education Sustainability Newsletter. It will include sustainability highlights from schools in Tennessee and grant offerings being offered both locally and nationally. The newsletter will be distributed twice a year, during the Fall and Spring semesters. To sign up for our Newsletter or the Network’s Listserv, click here. If you have any questions, contact Brook Powell at brook.powell@tn.gov.
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Use watermelon rind leftovers from your Fourth of July BBQ to make this Strawberry and Watermelon Rind Smoothie.
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Conferences/Workshops/Training Opportunities*
July 6-11, 2020
September 2020 - May 2021
*Stay tuned as we receive updates about upcoming conferences.
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