Congresswoman Lois Capps Introduces New Environmental Education Bill

Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) introduced H.R. 3644, a bill to bolster the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) environmental and conservation education programs.

 

The new bill would authorize a national Environmental Literacy Grant program as well as a regional Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program focused on local watersheds education.The legislation gradually increases funding levels over five years for both grant programs and authorizes new regional B-WET programs in major watersheds nationwide.

 

"The National Wildlife Federation applauds Congresswoman Capps for developing this important legislation to bolster critical NOAA environmental education programs that will give young people a better understanding of their local watersheds and help ensure our next generation of conservation stewards," said Kevin Coyle, vice president of Education and Training.

 

In addition to the many academic and conservation benefits of environmental education, business leaders increasingly believe that an environmentally literate workforce is critical to America's competitiveness in the 21st Century.

 

National Wildlife Federation's Be Out There campaign was designed to get families across the United States to open the door and get outside. A daily dose of the outdoors improves childrens physical, mental and emotional well being. The benefits of outdoor play are real: healthier kids with a life-long appreciation of wildlife and nature.