RockEE News part of Regional Effort to Build State Capacity
by Tim Brown

Late one evening, sitting outdoors in the cool dusk air of Potosi Missouri, a group of representatives from the Rocky Mountain states gathered to discuss the benefits of working together on a regional basis. We went around the circle talking about challenges to environmental education in each of our respective states. There was a lot of head nodding as people mentioned dilemmas like relatively large states with small populations or having both a functioning and representative statewide board of directors. That was in the spring of 1997, at the NEEAP/NAAEE Leadership Clinic, and a couple of years later our ideas have come to life with the Rocky Mountain States Regional Project.

The Rocky Mountain States Regional Project, funded by the Bureau of Land Management and US Environmental Protection Agency, is a two year project that builds capacity of statewide environmental education organizations in the 8 state region. The project has 5 main components that include: improving organizational infrastructure, supporting state conferences, providing multi-state workshops, publishing RockEE News and holding a regional gathering.

To improve organizational infrastructure, a mentoring component creates a framework to encourage state representatives to learn from each other. Another infrastructure component is grant writing assistance, which offers states with relatively little grant writing experience support from states with more experience.

The 4 remaining components of the project relate to improving capacity to deliver environmental education, either by funding scholarships for rural representatives to attend a state conference or by holding workshops in strategic locations that attract participants from several states. And of course there’s the RockEE News, our regional newsletter that keeps more than 7,500 informed of environmental education issues, state happenings and national/regional news.

Capacity Building is more than Collaboration
by Nan Buckhart, IL

When I was first introduced to the concept of capacity building, I only saw the tip of the issue. Initially, I saw it as collaboration. Since being involved in capacity building for some time, I realize that it is more than collaboration, although collaboration is a tool.

Capacity building has many facets including (but limited too): increased EE presence, statewide projects and leadership development. In Illinois, there are many people working on different areas of capacity building. The most profound effects are those things that will impact the largest number of people. Currently, a group of several organizations and state agencies are working together to present an EE Leadership Clinic in Illinois. This exciting project is slated for November 1999 and will increase the capacity of EE in the state during its development, at the event and with projects that may result from the clinic.

The Role of an Umbrella Organization in Capacity Building
by Tim Brown, UT

Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE) has always claimed to be an umbrella organization, and as a dutiful employee, I have always accepted that role even though I didn’t quite see it the whole picture. Occasionally I caught glimpses of the organization filling the umbrella role, but I also got confused in cases where we didn’t. Finally, in the last year, I have finally come to understand what it means for USEE to be an umbrella organization.

Think about who provides environmental education to students and teachers. Almost every business and industry that has a stake in natural resources also has some type of environmental education program. Off the top of my head I can name two dozen groups that fit this category. Another group of EE providers is state and federal agencies, and once again, there are a plethora of programs and materials offered to both students and teachers. There are also numerous non-profit organizations that dabble in environmental education. Combined, there must be thousands of groups providing teacher training or working directly with students.

But who is working with these providers? At the state level, the answer is USEE. USEE’s capacity building role is to improve the quality and capabilities of those providing EE to teachers and students in the state.

An Association of Organizations--A Different Approach to Capacity Building

The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) can perhaps serve as a slightly different model for building state capacity for environmental education. KACEE was established in 1969 as an association of organizations with an interest in environmental education. Most of the organizations involved in its creation were state agencies and academic institutions. The sole purpose of KACEE is the promotion of effective and balanced EE throughout the state.

Over the years, KACEE membership has grown. During the 1970's, provision was made for individual memberships, but the core strength of the association is its organizational memberships and the network that those organizations represent. Currently, KACEE’s membership includes over 130 organizations and 140 individuals. The organizational memberships include all state agencies with any relation to environmental issues, institutions of higher education as well as secondary and elementary education, non- profit organizations, and business and industry. The broad base of membership is illustrated by the fact that supporting organizations include the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Chapter of the Sierra Club. KACEE has been able to attract this diverse membership because of its long tradition of not becoming involved in environmental issues, but rather promoting a full understanding of environmental issues through the educational process.

The network represented by KACEE’s organizational and individual members provides a strong base for coordination and delivery of EE programs, as well as for fund raising. KACEE has a current staff of four plus a large network of volunteers. It has now developed a five-year strategic plan and is moving forward in promoting and strengthening EE programs throughout the state. Those wanting additional information on KACEE can contact:

John Strickler
Executive Director
2610 Claflin Road
Manhattan, KS 66502-2743
Phone: 785/532-3314 Fax: 785/532-3305
jstrickl@oz.oznet.ksu.edu

What is State Capacity Building for EE?
North American Association for Environmental Education State Capacity Building Commission, August 1998

EE capacity building is the development of effective organizations and individual leaders in order to achieve, implement, and maintain comprehensive EE programs at the state and local level. EE capacity building programs leverage national, state, and local resources in support of specific EE initiatives. They also enhance networking and communication among existing EE providers, and focus resources on the needs of state and local EE leaders who are the key "change agents" for achieving comprehensive EE programs. Thus, capacity building entails a two-way flow of resources and communication between local, state, regional and national EE leaders at varying levels of program implementation. The ultimate goal of capacity building is to develop widespread environmental literacy. This is accomplished by developing a supportive infrastructure and delivery systems for environmental education providers: teachers, school administrators, university professors, nonformal center educators (museums, nature centers, zoos, etc.), EE personnel in state and local agencies, and others environmental educators.

There are many options and many successful variations of state-level "comprehensive EE programs." There are also several proven strategic options from which various statewide organizations have customized their approach to achieving comprehensive EE programming. In order to achieve environmental literacy and stewardship, fully implemented state-level comprehensive EE programs are necessary.