Number: 1980-23
WHEREAS, the continuing decline in the quality of the environment poses a serious threat to all people; and
WHEREAS, this decline is due in part to a general lack of understanding of the environment and of the need to maintain natural ecological relationships; and
WHEREAS, the gaining of environmental knowledge by all citizens cannot be assumed or taken for granted; and
WHEREAS, our schools have major roles to play in training citizens to understand and appreciate the environment and the need to protect it; and
WHEREAS, only beginnings have been made toward establishing environmental education in the schools as a national priority of the first order;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 20-23, 1980, in Miami Beach, Fla., hereby urges the establishment of an effective unit within the new U.S. Department of Education whose mandate is to assume the environmental education leadership role at the federal level, coordinating efforts of Federal, state, and local agencies and educational institutions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization recommends that one of the primary responsibilities of this unit be to support the development of improved and innovative curricula which will encourage understanding and support of policies and actions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all living things; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls upon all state and local agencies to support this effort and work to make environmental education a part of every person’s learning years; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization recommends that the Department of Education direct as many funds as possible into making environmental education an integral part of educational curricula.