UT Environmental Literacy Plan

Utah Needs an Environmental Literacy Plan - USEE Needs Your Help to Make it Happen! 

Click here to participate in our Utah ELP Survey! 

Utah Needs an Environmental Literacy Plan“An environmentally literate person is someone who, both individually and together with others, makes informed decisions concerning the environment; is willing to act on these decisions to improve the wellbeing of other individuals, societies, and global environment; and participates in civic life.” Developing an Environmental Literacy Plan (ELP) is part of our vision to build a culture of environmental literacy, knowledge, and action to create a sustainable future for Utah. Environmental education is the practice through which environmental literacy can be achieved. Learners of all ages in Utah should have the opportunity to participate in environmental education programs, to help cultivate their knowledge, build connections to the natural world and develop the skills to make sound decisions regarding the environment. 

ELPs provide statewide guidance on environmental education and literacy.  These vary in nature from state to state. For example, some have mandates for state standards or graduation requirements and some are simply guidance documents. USEE spearheaded an ELP effort in the early 2010s. Given recent developments at the state level, including the Utah Every Kid Outdoors Initiative, new state standards for science and outdoor recreation, and the increased attention on the benefits of outdoor learning brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic, now is the time to reinvigorate these efforts. 

From January - May 2021 we conducted numerous listening sessions with groups and individuals. You can find their feedback below. We encourage you to participate in our Environmental Literacy Plan Survey to provide additional feedback.  USEE will convene working groups this summer to begin developing a draft framework as well as policy ideas. We welcome your ideas and involvement! To learn more, contact

 

 

 

Notes from Listening Sessions 

Utah ELP Listening Session 1 Notes

Utah ELP Listening Session 1 Jamboard 

Utah ELP Listening Session 2 Notes

Utah ELP Listening Session 2 Jamboard #1

Utah ELP Listening Session 2 Jamboard #2

Utah ELP Listening Session 3 Notes

Utah ELP Listening Session 3 Jamboard #1

Utah ELP Listening Session 3 Jamboard #2

Utah ELP Listening Session 3 Jamboard #3

Utah ELP Session 4 Notes

Utah ELP Listening Session 4 Jamboard #1

Utah ELP Listening Session 4 Jamboard #2

Utah ELP Session 5 Notes 

Utah ELP Listening Session 5 Jamboard 

Utah ELP Session 6 Notes 

Utah ELP Listening Session 6 Jamboard

Utah ELP Listening Session 7 Jamboard

Utah ELP Session 8 Notes 

Utah ELP Listening Session 8 Jamboard 

Utah ELP 1:1 Sessions Notes 

Utah ELP 1:1 Listening Sessions Jamboard 

OA SLC Listening Session Jamboard

iSEE Listening Session Jamboard