Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

The San Mateo County Office of Education helps K-12 school communities become models of sustainability and climate resiliency, and equips students with the tools, resources, and life experiences to create an environmentally sustainable, socially just, and economically thriving world.

The program aims to ensure that every district has a baseline assessment and develops a strategic plan for sustainable schools, every student has access to instruction at every grade level for solutionary project based learning, and every teacher has access to professional development opportunities in experiential learning.

Seeds to Solutions

Seeds to Solutions is a free, open set of resources that equips California educators with age-appropriate environmental lessons for grades K–12. Developed by the San Mateo County Office of Education and environmental literacy nonprofit Ten Strands, Seeds to Solutions transforms classroom learning into discussions that go beyond school.

The lessons were created in partnership with community organizations, experts in science and ecology, indigenous communities, educators, youth leaders, and curriculum-development specialists. They are designed to inspire students to become environmental solutions seekers, and empower them to explore those solutions with confidence.

Seeds to Solutions provides an excellent, equitable and comprehensive approach to environmental education.

Learn more

A group of teachers talking about environmental issues

Programs and Networks

Through a variety of program and network efforts, The San Mateo County Office of Education seeks to equip school communities with the knowledge, skills, and support to integrate sustainable and climate-ready schools practices across their campus, curriculum, community and culture.

Learn more about the County Office's Environmental Literacy and Sustainability programs and Networks below (listed in alphabetical order), and explore the links to visit program pages:

CALIFORNIA REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COMMUNITY (CREEC) NATURE'S NARRATIVE

Nature's Narrative is a series of professional learning workshops designed to support educators in integrating outdoor learning, climate science, and storytelling into their teaching practice, with a special focus on English-Language Arts. K-8 classroom teachers, informal educators, and environmental educators are invited to explore and share creative approaches to:

Environmental education,
Integrating ELA with science and nature instruction,
Social-emotional learning, and
Building climate resilience.

Visit our website to learn more about the program and join us at these events.

CLIMATE-READY SCHOOLS SYMPOSIUM

The San Mateo County Office of Education hosts the Climate-Ready Schools Symposium for administrators and facilities leads learn and share promising practices to improve environmental literacy, address legislative requirements, and promote sustainable operations and facilities. Breakouts feature leading practitioners and agency experts who will identify strategies, funding sources, and regional resources to accomplish environmental education and sustainability goals.

COMMUNITY BASED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PARTNERS(CBEEP) NETWORK

SMCOE co-chairs this network with community-based environmental education partners (CBEEP). The purpose of this network is to foster collaboration between nonformal/informal environmental education providers and the formal education system, to build capacity and consistency in programs alignment, and to further integrate environmental literacy into districts and schools. Learn more about the CBEEP Network.

Environmental Field Trips and Experiences Brochures: Find program descriptions, program fee information, standards alignment, and contact information for community partners, all at the right grade level for your students! TK-2nd Grade, 3rd-5th Grade, 6th-8th Grade, 9th-12th Grade

MODEL FOR REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION TOWARD ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY

SMCOE’s path to whole systems integration of environmental and climate literacy and sustainable and climate-ready schools efforts is a compelling strategy and structure that can serve as a model in California and beyond. The strategies, tools, and resources shared in this document are designed to be flexible, adaptable, and relevant across the diverse geography and size of California school districts and counties.

The primary audiences for this document are individuals and agencies that want to launch (or further develop) county-wide and regional initiatives to promote environmental and climate literacy and sustainable and climate-ready schools.

A Replicable Model for Regional Transformation Toward Environmental Literacy for All Students

YOUTH CLIMATE AMBASSADORS(CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM)

The Youth Climate Ambassadors (YCA) Leadership Program brings 9-12th grade students from across San Mateo County together to take climate action into their own hands. In this year-long knowledge-to-action program (October to May), student leaders build background knowledge on pressing environmental issues and then develop and implement projects that drive change within San Mateo County. Throughout the process, students gain a diverse set of skills related to sustainability, climate action, and overall solutionary leadership. To learn more, visit the Youth Climate Ambassadors site.

ZERO WASTE EDUCATION ALLIANCE(ZWEA)

The San Mateo County Zero Waste Education Alliance (ZWEA) is a collaborative network of organizations leading waste reduction efforts in San Mateo County school programs. The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) serves as a central convener for bringing together this network of Zero Waste Education Partners (non-profit or governmental education organizations, hauler companies, school green champions). The purpose of this network is to foster collaboration, build best practices and messaging, and integrate into districts and schools on zero waste topics. To learn more, visit the Zero Waste Education Alliance (ZWEA) site.

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