EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.2024.15
Maryland Outdoor Learning Partnership
A. Establishment. There is a Maryland environmental literacy and access to nature initiative titled the Maryland Outdoor Learning Partnership (“Partnership”).
B. Mission. The mission of the Partnership is to empower all of Maryland’s youth to grow as environmental stewards that access, conserve, and restore our natural resources to ensure a climate-ready Maryland.
C. Membership. The Partnership shall include representatives from State agencies and other partners providing for a well-rounded stakeholder group.
(1) The following State agencies shall assign a representative to participate in the Partnership to advise and implement actions in their areas of responsibility:
(a) Department of Natural Resources;
(b) State Department of Education;
(c) Department of Agriculture;
(d) Maryland Higher Education Commission;
(e) Department of the Environment;
(f) Department of Planning;
(g) Department of Health;
(h) Department of Transportation;
(i) Maryland Energy Administration; and
(j) Department of Service and Civic Innovation.
(2) The following stakeholders are invited to be, and shall be upon their acceptance, members of the Partnership:
(a) Alice Ferguson Foundation;
(b) Chesapeake Audubon Society;
(c) Chesapeake Bay Trust;
(d) Chesapeake Bay Foundation;
(e) Living Classrooms Foundation;
(f) Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation;
(g) Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education;
(h) Maryland Recreation and Parks Association;
(i) National Aquarium;
(j) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
(k) National Wildlife Federation;
(l) Smithsonian Environmental Research Center;
(m) Sultana Education Foundation;
(n) United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
(o) Three representatives of non-profit organizations dedicated to environmental education;
(p) One representative of a Parent Teacher Organization;
(q) Two representatives of local governments that have demonstrated leadership in sustainable development practices;
(r) Two representatives (teacher or principal) serving from an outdoor school, Maryland Green School, Maryland Green Ribbon School, or school with a focus on environmental education;
(s) One district environmental literacy supervisor or coordinator;
(t) One district sustainability supervisor or coordinator;
(u) One school Superintendent;
(v) One environmental education teacher;
(w) Two representatives of youth-based organizations; and
(x) Two representatives of the business community with demonstrated leadership in supporting the green or sustainable workforce.
(3) The Governor, in their discretion, may appoint additional members to the Partnership.
D. Procedures.
(1) Chair. The Partnership shall be co-chaired by the Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee, and the State Superintendent of Schools, or the Superintendent’s designee.
(2) Staff Coordination. The Department of Natural Resources shall provide staff support for the Partnership in coordination with the State Department of Education, other State agencies, and other partners as directed by the Co-Chairs.
(3) Working Groups. The Partnership shall be supported by working groups, to be established by the Co-Chairs, to lead the major tasks identified under this Executive Order.
(4) Meetings.
(a) The Partnership shall meet monthly to advance the mission of the Partnership.
(b) The Partnership Co-Chairs shall preside over the meetings.
(c) The Partnership Co-Chairs shall convene and preside over an annual meeting, to include at least one student representative from a K-12 institution, to review the status of the work as described in the annual report.
(5) Procedures. The Co-Chairs may adopt procedures and by-laws necessary to ensure the orderly transaction of business.
E. Responsibilities. In order for Maryland’s youth to meaningfully access the environment and to grow as environmentally literate stewards that access nature and are equipped with skills that empower them to take action to conserve and restore Maryland’s natural resources, the Partnership shall:
(1) Conduct a review of current environmental and climate change education efforts in Maryland;
(2) Foster collaboration, coordinate resources, and deliver recommendations to decision makers in order to equitably ensure that:
(a) Every Maryland student has access to environmental and climate education;
(b) Maryland’s students have the knowledge and skills needed for success in college and the growing green workforce;
(c) Maryland’s youth spend time outdoors engaging with nature;
(d) Maryland’s Local Education Agencies lessen the environmental impact of their school buildings and grounds on their local watersheds; and
(e) Maryland’s teachers have the funds, training, and support necessary to implement curriculum to support student achievement of the Environmental Literacy Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, the Maryland Health Education Standards, Social Studies Standards, and other State standards of education as they relate to environmental literacy;
(3) Engage with networks to ensure that environmental education is equitably implemented and sustainably funded across Maryland;
(4) Support state leadership in the implementation and tracking of relevant Chesapeake Bay Program priorities; and
(5) Report to and advise the Governor on the status of the Partnership’s work and provide an annual report by January 30th on the prior year’s progress.
Effective Date: April 22, 2024.
