Environmental Education
Priorities for Ensuring Environmental Literacy
Young scientists studying specimens with a microscope. Photo credit: Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors' Action Plan
The importance of the Gulf of Mexico’s influence on climate, health, and the economy reaches beyond the 31 states and two Canadian provinces that are within its watershed. With this influence comes an opportunity to provide educational programs to improve the nation’s understanding and appreciation of the Gulf and its abundant natural and living resources. To capitalize on this opportunity, the Alliance’s environmental education efforts include formal and informal educational opportunities, professional development, communication, and actions which reach an extensive audience who reflect the phrase “K to Gray.” The Alliance is committed to providing environmental education that includes local cultural and economic values with the belief that education will encourage action toward a healthier Gulf.
Long-term Goals
- Continue implementing environmental literacy with a focus on the Gulf
- Promote stewardship of the Gulf region
ACTIONS
Environmental Education 1: Community Education and Outreach
Action: Increase awareness and promote action among Gulf citizens by engaging in educational and outreach activities.
Community Outreach & Education Across the Gulf
Smart Yard, Healthy Gulf
Developed by a partnership between the Education and Nutrient Priority Issue Teams, Smart Yard, Healthy Gulf is a new public education campaign designed to reduce fertilizers entering local waters by helping people make responsible lawn fertilizer decisions. Applying the proper amount of fertilizer at the proper time(s) of the growing season keeps lawns looking vibrant. It can save time and money. Not only will lawns be something to be proud of, but the Gulf of Mexico will be more resilient and healthy, including Gulf seafood! More information available at www.smartyardhealthygulf.com.
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
Outreach & Education Mini-grants in Alabama
The Alliance's Education Team supports outreach efforts in Alabama by providing the following mini-grants:
- Weeks Bay Foundation for Watershed Wagon
- Mobile Baykeeper for Muddy Water Watch
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
Outreach & Education Mini-grants in Florida
The Alliance's Education Team supports outreach efforts in Florida by providing the following mini-grants:
- NOAA Environmental Cooperative Service Center at Florida A&M for Minority Students and Community Outreach on Hurricane Preparedness and Adaptation
- Florida Dept of Environmental Protection for Increasing Access to Science-based Environmental Education
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
Outreach & Education Mini-grants in Louisiana
The Alliance's Education Team supports outreach efforts in Louisiana by providing the following mini-grants:
- Louisiana Dept of Wildlife & Fisheries for Marine Lab Estuarine & Marine Awareness Education
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium for Gulf Lagniappe: Adult EE Workshops and Wetland Warriors
- Southeastern Louisiana University for Training Future Scientists, Teachers and Families in Coastal Wetland Conservation
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
Outreach & Education Mini-grants in Mississippi
The Alliance's Education Team supports outreach efforts in Mississippi by providing the following mini-grants:
J.L. Scott Marine Education Center - Students & Community Outreach Symposia
Mississippi State University - Community Grass Gardens
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
Environmental Education 2: Public Awareness
Action: Expand public awareness efforts to connect the Gulf and its relevance to the lives of citizens.
Public Awareness Across the Gulf
Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers
Working through the Coastal America Foundaiton, the Alliance EE Team established a network of Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers throughout the Gulf region. The network creates a partnership between certain federal agencies and marine education centers in the area. Most Learning Centers are aquariums, but marine science centers and laboratories are also part of this dynamic network. The network is constantly growing and evolving to address our nation's top coastal and marine issues. Today, there are five Learning Centers across the Gulf working together to educate and involve the public in protecting our nation's coastal and marine ecosytems.
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
Public Awareness Mini-grants in Alabama
The Alliance's Education Team supports public awareness efforts in Alabama by providing a mini-grant to the
Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitor's Bureau for their Clean Coast Partnership website & stencils.
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
Public Awareness Mini-grants in Texas
The Alliance's Education Team supports public awareness efforts in Texas by providing a mini-grant to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service for their Kids Teaching Parents Environmental Education program.
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
Environmental Education 3: K through 20 Environmental Literacy
Action: Increase environmental literacy within the K through 20 audience by developing, implementing, expanding, and enhancing specific environmental education programs.
Environmental Education Across the Gulf
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab supports the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Environmental Education priority issue by implementing a three-year competitive mini-grant program to the five U.S. Gulf States. The mini-grant program focused on K through 20 Education, Public Awareness and Community Outreach and Education.
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
K - 20 Mini-Grants in Alabama
The Alliance's Education Team supports environmental education in Alabama by providing the following K-20 mini-grants:
- Alma Bryant High School for Oyster Gardening
- Mobile Area Education Foundation for Watershed Exploration and Engaging Youth in Engineering
- Wolf Bay Watershed for Wonders of Wetlands
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab for Marine Application of Science and Technology and Marine Science Camp for Special Needs Children
- Environmental Education Association of Alabama for Muddy Water Watch and From the Mountains to the Gulf
- Eastern Shore Art Center for Squeaky Sneakers
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
K - 20 Mini-grants in Florida
The Alliance's Education Team supports environmental education in Florida by providing the following K-20 mini-grants:
- Florida A&M University for Pilot Summer Program for Stewardship and Conservation
- Santa Rosa County School District for Conservation Through Edcuation
- City of Bradenton Beach for Coastal Crusaders Conserving Native Florida
- The Florida Aquarium for Teens Teaching Tweens About the Coast
- Marine Science Academy in Escambia County for Assessing Water Quality in Pensacola Bay
- Nature's Academy, Inc. for Island Adventures Pilot Project
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
K - 20 Mini-grants in Louisiana
The Alliance's Education Team supports environmental education in Louisiana by providing the following K-20 mini-grants:
- Audubon Nature Institute for Coast to Classroom
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium for Going Beyond the Bayou
- Louisiana Environmental Education Commission for Louisiana Environmental Literacy Plan
- Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting for Electronic Field Trip
- Southeast Louisiana University for Training Future Scientists, Teachers and Families in Coastal Conservation
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
K - 20 Mini-grants in Mississippi
The Alliance's Education Team supports environmental education in Mississippi by providing the following K-20 mini-grants:
- Jackson State University for Website for Aquatic Plants
- Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center for Camp Leonardo-Where Science Meets Art
- University of Southern Mississippi GCRL for WETMAAP Gulfwide
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
lyokel@disl.org
K - 20 Mini-grants in Texas
The Alliance's Education Team supports environmental education in Texas by providing the following K-20 mini-grants:
- Galveston Bay Foundation for Get Hip to Habitat
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute for Summer Field Science Program
- Texas State Aquarium for Sunset Lake Invaders
- Legacy Land Trust for Know Your Watershed
- Texas Parks & Wildlife for Groundwater to the Gulf
- Colorado River Foundation for River Stewards
Project Contact:
Lee Yokel
Lyokel@disl.org
Environmental Education 4: Economic Value Communication
Action: Include the economic value of Gulf ecosystems in environmental education.
