As the 131st Maine Legislature wraps up, our staff reflects on our accomplishments this legislative session. Read on.
Policy and Advocacy
As a state network, MEEA supports a variety of legislation that center our mission of environmental education, equity, and awareness on both state and federal levels. Below is a list of MEEA’s legislative priorities!
Your support as members of our network is critical in advancing and passing legislation. Reaching out to your state or federal legislators to let them know that their constituents support these bills is essential to gaining support and votes. Emails, phone calls, letters to the editor, oral testimony, and attending public meetings are all ways to get involved and make your voice heard. Please reach out to amara@meeassociation.org if you need support!
All of our advocacy work is done in network and through partnerships at the state and federal levels. Some of those partners include:
The Nature Based Education Consortium, The Enviromental Priorities Coalition, the Maine Green Budget Coalition, Maine Outdoor School for All Network, the North American Association for Environmental Education, Green Schoolyards America, and the Outdoor Alliance fo Kids
MEEA Supported Legislation
FEDERAL LEVEL
S-4993 Living Schoolyards Act
The Living Schoolyards Act (S-4993), introduced into the United States Senate by Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), is a groundbreaking bill that will direct important federal resources towards transforming school grounds into living schoolyards—richly layered outdoor environments that strengthen local ecological systems while providing place-based, hands-on learning resources for students of all ages.
We work closely with Green Schoolyards of America on this effort
S. 1239, No Child Left Inside Act
MEEA has been working on this bill for two years and advocated for Senator Collins to sign on as a co-sponsor. Our network’s support was critical in realizing this!
The legislation would provide federal grants to states for partnerships between school districts and parks, natural resource management agencies, educator preparation programs, and museums or other organizations with expertise in engaging young people with real-world examples of environmental and scientific concepts. It would also establish a pilot program for outdoor school education programs that offer intensive, hands-on learning experiences, such as residential programs and summer camps.
Green Ribbons Program
The Department of Education’s (ED) Green Ribbon Schools program has awarded the Green Ribbon to over 600 schools, districts and colleges and universities over the past 12 years. The Green Ribbon Act promises to give the current program greater impact by strengthening the capacity of states to educate and equip schools with what they need to work toward the achievement of the three aspirational goals of the award. The Green Ribbon Act would 1) provide grants for implementation of state-wide green school programs consistent with the Department of Education’s (ED) Green Ribbon Schools program, 2) provide $10k honoraria to winners of the Green Ribbon award, 3) create a Clearinghouse Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability at the Department to function as a technical assistance center for school infrastructure; and 4) expand the ED program to include nonformal learning institutions.
Appropriations
Every year, MEEA also advocates for environmental education funding for NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency, which has support Maine’s environmental education.
LD 1817 - Maine Outdoor School for All
Maine Outdoor School for All is a movement to get kids outside so they can connect to Maine’s outdoor heritage. Through this initiative, every middle school student in Maine will have the chance for a life-changing learning experience at one of Maine’s renowned outdoor learning centers.
LD 1642 - An Act to Strengthen the Teaching of Wabanaki Studies in Maine Schools
This bill establishes the Wabanaki Studies Commission to ensure the inclusion of 18 Wabanaki studies in education curricula. It amends the statutes relating to required courses 19 about Wabanaki studies, including amending provisions relating to the substance of the 20 courses and the requirement that the courses be funded. It directs the Department of 21 Education to establish and fund teacher education programs in Wabanaki studies. It directs 22 the State Board of Education to adopt rules to require the completion of a Wabanaki studies 23 component in the qualifications for certifying teachers.
LD 612 - An Act to Create a Green Schools Coordinator in the Department of Education
This bill creates the position of green schools coordinator within the Department of 10 Education to assist department staff and other relevant stakeholders in establishing school 11 facility priorities and working with school administrative units regarding building 12 weatherization and modification for the use of renewable energy resources.
LD 156 - An Act to Require Outdoor Recess Time for Students Grade 6-8
This bill requires every school administrative unit to provide for all students from grade 12 6 to grade 8 at least 20 minutes of outdoor recess, which includes unstructured physical 13 activity, leisure and recreational time, no fewer than 3 days a week. If there is no 14 opportunity for outdoor recess due to inclement weather or for some other reason, a school 15 administrative unit must arrange alternate accommodations to provide for recess.
STATE LEVEL
Environmental Priorities Coalition Supported Bills
LD 1246 - An Act to Include Endangered and Threatened Species Habitat in the Definition of “Significant Wildlife Habitat” Under the Natural Resources Protection Act
This bill amends the Natural Resources Protection Act by adding to the definition of 39 "significant wildlife habitat" the habitat of species appearing on the official state 40 endangered species and state threatened species list. This bill also requires the Department 38 39 40 Page 2 - 131LR1212(01) 41 of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to define "habitat for state endangered and state threatened 42 species" by major substantive rules,
LD 993 - An Act to Facilitate Stakeholder Input Regarding Forest Policy in Maine
This bill creates the Maine Forest Advisory Board to advise the Department of 7 Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Forestry on a variety of forestry issues 8 and to provide input on the state forest action plan required under the federal Food, 9 Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The board is directed to submit annual reports to 10 the Legislature, including a report outlining conditions and trends in the State's forests to 11 be submitted by December 6, 2023 to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature
LD 1156 - An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation
The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $30,000,000, will be used to 34 provide funds to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of 35 Parks and Lands for the design, development and maintenance of nonmotorized, motorized 36 and multi-use trails statewide.
LD 928 - RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Establish a Right to a Clean and Healthy Environment
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to grant the people of the 33 State a right to a clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, 34 cultural and healthful qualities of the environment.
