SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 4

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez and Kelly K. Fajardo

A JOINT MEMORIAL

AFFIRMING THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION; REQUESTING THE DECLARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WEEK AND REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH LEAD A STUDY FOR A GRANT PROGRAM TO INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a rich cultural history of environmental stewardship, which should be continued into the future; and

     WHEREAS, environmental education provides an effective means to teach common core state standards and next generation science standards, and environmental education increases student achievement in all fields of study; and

     WHEREAS, environmental education provides a theme for interdisciplinary, project- and place-based learning that enhances critical thinking skills, promotes student engagement in learning and creates a stronger connection to the land of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, much of environmental education content falls squarely into the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, each of which provides a high-priority focus for education; and

     WHEREAS, a growing body of research and literature indicates that being in nature is increasingly important for children, especially for children raised in highly industrialized urban environments; and

     WHEREAS, outdoor education has been shown to increase student focus and reduce symptoms of attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and

     WHEREAS, school gardens and wildlife habitats provide school-based laboratories for science education and other studies and generate greater community support for school sites; and

     WHEREAS, growing food at school increases nutritional knowledge, promotes a healthful lifestyle and reduces childhood obesity; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico environmental literacy plan was developed by more than three hundred teachers and non-formal educators to provide guidelines for teaching quality environmental education both inside the classroom and out of doors; and

     WHEREAS, environmental education leads to an environmentally literate citizenry that makes sound and effective decisions in a range of contexts and situations;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the importance of environmental education that contributes to the education, health and responsible behavior of New Mexicans be affirmed by the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to declare a week in April "Environmental Education Week" and to encourage all kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers to teach their students outdoors for at least one hour that week and encourage state agencies to celebrate environmental education through existing programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of game and fish as lead agency and in cooperation with the state parks division and the forestry division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department; the state land office; the department of health; the public education department; and the children, youth and families department be requested to study the feasibility of creating an environmental education grant program to increase opportunities for environmental education for New Mexico students and be requested to report back to the appropriate interim committees by November 1, 2016; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be requested to provide a link on its website to the New Mexico environmental literacy plan as a resource for teachers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor; the state parks division and the forestry division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department; the department of game and fish; the state land office; the department of health; the public education department; and the children, youth and families department.

- 4 -