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    Environmental Education

    Kids are looking at the grasses. 

    ​The purpose of Maryland's Environmental Education program is to enable students to make decisions and take actions that create and maintain an optimal relationship between themselves and the environment, and to preserve and protect the unique natural resources of Maryland, particularly those of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.

    ​Maryland Environmental Literacy Standards Review
    The Maryland Environmental Literacy Standards are in their review cycle.  Watch this space for updates on the process. Currently, survey results are being analyzed so recommendations can be prepared for Maryland State Board of Education consideration.

    Please feel free to share your thoughts and recommendations at any time!

    Programs & Organizations

    Project Green Classrooms

    Chesapeake Bay Program

    Chesapeake Bay Trust

    Chesapeake Bay Foundation

    Maryland Commission on Climate Change

    North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)

    Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE)



    Contact Information
    Donna Balado
    Environmental Literacy Specialist, Science
    Division of Curriculum, Assessment and Accountability
    Maryland State Department of Education
    200 West Baltimore Street
    Baltimore, MD 21201
    Phone: 410-767-0323
    Fax: 410-333-1146
    Email: donna.balado@maryland.gov



    Environmental Literacy Feature Topics

    Maryland Envirothon
    The Maryland Envirothon is a competitive environmental program for high school students in grades 9 – 12.  Students learn about the natural world of aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife through various hands-on activities from resource professionals who are experts in the field.  Subsequently, students apply this knowledge to various real life situations of managing those resources.

    World Future Council Silver Award 2015
    Maryland was recognized for becoming the first to require students to be environmentally literate as a high school graduation requirement.

    Watershed Report Card
    Students from Howard County high schools spent a year collecting and analyzing samples from watershed areas near their schools and throughout Howard County, and their research is the foundation of a published watershed report card for the region.

    Explore and Restore Maryland Streams (DNR)
    A sustained program of study that starts in the classroom and includes hands-on, outdoor investigations also helps meet STEM goals and Next Generation Science Standards, and offers opportunities to integrate environmental learning with multiple disciplines.

    LEA E-Lit Program Highlights

    Greening Schools


    Partnerships


    Resources





    Chespax Live Osprey Cam

    Chespax Live Osprey Cam

    Kids in Kayaks

    BCPSS video

    Watershed Report Card

    HCPSS Video on Facebook

    Watershed Summit

    HCPSS Student Scientists at Work