Hi All, 

Last evening at the Rowing Club Congressman Sarbanes gave a very good speech outlining the “No Child Left Inside” legislation that he has sponsored in the House.  The legislation just received endorsement from of the Education and Labor Committee of the House and it must now be introduced on to the House floor for a vote.  On the Senate side the legislation is being sponsored by Senator Harry Reid.  We heard how the legislation has been endorsed by over 550 national, state and local organizations across the country and that small organizations should/are welcome to sign-up/join the coalition in support via their website sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Initially the legislation will make $500,000,000.00 available to states in the form of grants.  Maryland Department of Education can apply to receive a portion of this funding for the following:

ü      Funding to train teachers to deliver high quality Environmental Education and utilize the local environment as an extension of the classroom.

ü      Incentives for states to develop State Environmental Literacy Plans to insure that every student is prepared to understand the environmental challenges of the future. 

ü      Encouragement for teachers, administrators, and school systems to make time and resources available for environmental education for all students.

ü      Environmental Education will be integrated across core subject areas.

While Congressman Sarbanes is doubtful that the legislation will be approved this year, he is very hopeful that it will become an integral part of the “No Child Left Behind” legislation when it gets reauthorized next year (under the leadership of a new democratic President). 

The most enlightening point I got from his presentation was his views on work he has done with Van Jones (Oakland, CA) co-founder of his newest initiative Green For All and the Ella Baker Center and how he sees a tremendous need for a similar green initiative in Baltimore.