Healthier Kids, A Healthier World - No Child Left Inside
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Latest News 07.21.2008 - NCLI Coalition Hits 500th Member >> Now Co-Sponsoring |
Welcome to the home of the No Child Left Inside Coalition. The No Child Left Inside Coalition is a broad-based organization made up of more than 300 member groups from across the United States. Our membership, which is growing steadily, includes environmental, educational, business, public health, outdoor recreation and conservation groups. With tens of millions of members represented, the NCLI Coalition speaks for a diverse group of Americans who believe young people should receive a strong education about their natural world. Check the Coalition list for the full team of NCLI members.
The Coalition’s focus is passage of the federal No Child Left Inside Act. This legislation would authorize major new funding for states to provide high-quality, environmental instruction. Funds would support outdoor learning activities both at school and in non-formal environmental education centers, teacher training and the creation of state environmental literacy plans.
NCLI Coalition Hits 500th Member
On July 21st we reached a milestone as the No Child Left Inside Coalition attracted its 500th member organization. We have been amazed at the incredible support for improving environmental education. More and more groups are coming on board to back our push for the No Child Left Inside Act.
The NCLI Coalition was formed only 18 months ago. Today, NCLI member organizations represent more than 22 million Americans. These groups are focused on a variety of areas the environment, education, outdoor recreation, businesses, public health and science. While they have different interests, they share a commitment to improving how we teach kids about their natural world.
This milestone comes at a critical time—we are awaiting final word that the full House of Representatives will vote on the No Child Left Inside Act of 2008 next week! Be sure to contact your representative in Congress and ask them to support the Act.
Environmental Education Gets Major Boost as House Committee Approves NCLI Act
We have taken an important step forward as the House Education and Labor Committee has approved an amended version of the No Child Left Inside Act.
As approved by the committee, the Act (HR 3036) creates new funding for training teachers in environmental education and for expanding environmental education programs. It would also provide new funding to states that create environmental literacy plans, which will ensure that all graduates are environmentally literate, and extends the National Environmental Education Act. The bill will go later this summer to a vote in the full House of Representatives.
See the results of the Committee vote.
After the committee voted, leaders of some key NCLI member organizations saluted the committee vote.
“The No Child Left Inside Act would dramatically improve the ability of schools around the country to teach young people about the environment, and we applaud the House Education and Labor Committee for moving it forward,” said William C. Baker, president of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “It is critically important to find new ways to get young people outside to explore and learn about the natural world, and this legislation will help do that.”
“Children who spend more time outside before age 11 are much more likely to grow up to be environmentally committed as adults,” said Larry Schweiger, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, which is also a member of the NCLI Coalition. “The No Child Left Inside Act will stimulate environmental education nationwide and help ensure our young people have the tools necessary to face environmental challenges, such as global warming, that they will face as adults.”
Chairman Miller (D- CA) spoke in strong support of Environmental Education and the NCLI Act. Read his full statement.
The House committee vote is just one step in the legislative process, but we applaud the committee for its commitment to environmental education. And we will continue to work with our lead sponsors, Rep. John P. Sarbanes of Maryland and Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, on building support and passing strong legislation.
NCLI Coalition Joins Facebook
We now have our own Facebook group devoted to No Child Left Inside. If you are a Facebook user, please join the group and contribute to the conversation about the legislation and environmental education by visiting www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28372251592. Once you've joined the group, invite all your friends to join.
Help Spread the News about the “Get ’em Outside” Video
“Get ’em Outside” is a wonderful, five-minute video celebrating the value of environmental education and is quite popular on YouTube. Please embed the video on your organization’s website or provide a link to the video, available here.
NOTE: CBF extends its thanks to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for the use of "No Child Left Inside."