The Legislature finds and declares that, throughout the state and nation, there is a growing public awareness of the benefits derived from a healthy environment and a healthy economy, and that the citizens of the State of California expect the educational institutions of this state to provide students with educational materials that are balanced and objective in their coverage of the current scientific and economic research on environmental and ecological issues to enable students to better address and assess environmental issues as we enter the 21st century.
Article 1Policy
Section § 8700
This law highlights that people in California and across the nation are becoming more aware of the importance of a healthy environment and economy. It states that California's educational institutions should give students balanced and objective educational materials on scientific and economic research about environmental issues. This aims to prepare students to understand and tackle environmental challenges effectively.
educational materials environmental issues balanced and objective coverage scientific research economic research ecological issues 21st century public awareness healthy environment healthy economy California educational institutions student preparation environmental challenges balanced education
Section § 8701
This law emphasizes the importance of educating everyone, from schools to professionals and private groups, about environmental issues. By spreading this knowledge, we can prevent harmful land practices and restore damaged areas, ultimately leading to more beautiful and sustainable cities.
The Legislature further finds and declares that an informed public working for the common environmental good through its democratic institutions at all educational and professional levels and among all interested private parties can break the chain of destructive land use, restore land which has been improperly abused, and build balance and beauty into our cities of the future.
environmental education public awareness sustainable cities land restoration democratic institutions destructive land use balance in urban planning environmental advocacy future city planning community involvement in environment private parties and environment educational levels professional levels restoration of land common environmental good
Section § 8702
This law highlights the need for educational programs that teach young people how to responsibly care for the environment. The goal is to develop a sense of stewardship and community involvement so that individuals understand how to use resources wisely and avoid harming the environment.
The Legislature further finds and declares that an educational program is needed that is designed to build necessary attitudes of stewardship toward the maintenance of the quality of our common environment and to enable all citizens to use wisely, and not destructively, the resources at their disposal. These attitudes are best developed at an early age through programs that encourage personal responsibility and participation in the local community.
environmental education stewardship resource management community participation personal responsibility early education environmental attitudes quality of environment community programs educational programs citizen responsibility youth education resource conservation environmental awareness local community involvement
Section § 8703
This section emphasizes the need for consistent funding, effective programs, necessary materials, and opportunities for outdoor study to ensure that conservation education is prioritized within public schools.
The Legislature further finds and declares that without appropriate long-term funding, and without effective programs to encourage efforts and innovations at the school district level, and without needed materials and meaningful outdoor study opportunities, conservation education will remain a stepchild in the crowded family of public education.
conservation education long-term funding effective programs school district innovation outdoor study opportunities public education priorities educational materials Legislature findings public school resources educational innovations environmental education
Section § 8704
This section expresses the idea that people have a duty to learn about and care for the environment, using it wisely and preserving it for future generations. It also emphasizes that having a good environment is important for personal growth and development.
The Legislature further finds and declares that man has a moral obligation to understand the world in which he lives and to protect, enhance, and make the highest use of the land and resources he holds in trust for future generations, and that the dignity and worth of the individual requires a quality environment in which he can develop the full potentials of his spirit and intellect.
moral obligation environmental stewardship future generations quality environment personal development spiritual growth intellectual potentials trust resources land protection enhance resources
Section § 8705
This law emphasizes that schools should teach students about conserving the environment. The goal is to help students understand and care about their surroundings and resources and equip them with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about environmental issues.
The Legislature further finds and declares that conservation education should be a means of achieving an educational philosophy that will help each student develop a healthy attitude of personal responsibility toward his environment and its resources and provide him with the concepts, the knowledge, and the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the decisionmaking process on issues involving the environment and its resources.
conservation education personal responsibility environmental issues resources educational philosophy student development decision-making process skills for environment environmental knowledge healthy attitude environmental contribution
Section § 8706
This law states that schools should teach students about the environment in a way that shows how different pieces of information are connected. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how living things relate to each other, how human actions impact these relationships, and how people and natural resources depend on each other.
The Legislature further finds and declares that in all grade levels, environmental facts should be taught as they relate to each other, rather than as isolated bits of information, and that students should become aware of the interrelated nature of living processes, gain understanding of ecological relationships and of the effect of human activities upon these relationships, and become sensitive to the interdependence of man and natural resources.
environmental education ecological relationships interdependence natural resources living processes human impact students awareness teaching approach ecology education curriculum
Section § 8707
This law aims to motivate the creation of educational programs that teach teachers and students about taking care of our limited resources and keeping our environment healthy.
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to encourage development of educational programs for teachers and students commensurate with the importance of protecting scarce resources and safeguarding the quality of our environment.
educational programs teachers students protecting resources environmental quality scarce resources environmental education legislative intent teacher development student learning sustainability environmental protection resource conservation educational initiatives environmental awareness
