An Act to Establish the Maine Green Schools Network Within the State’s Department of Education
Overview
- The network will bring together educators, administrators, climate experts, and community representatives to advance environmental literacy, reduce carbon emissions, and create opportunities for students in climate-related fields.
- "Green Schools" are defined as institutions making exemplary progress in areas such as energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and environmental curriculum development, as well as creating a framework for professional development and collaborative learning.
LD 1543/SP 627
Enacted June 25, 2025
Youth Voice Is Central to this Bill
Coalition
LD 1543 was championed by the Nature Based Education Consortium’s (NBEC) Advocacy Working Group. Students, teachers, organizations, and groups from across Maine supported this bill. MEEA facilitated a youth-led campaign, and NBEC paid participating youth stipends to serve. Meet the youth organizers who helped pass the Green Schools Network bill!
Funding
The network may develop grant programs to support initiatives consistent with the network's duties and will be required to submit a comprehensive report to the Legislature by November 2026, detailing participating schools, supported schools, and counties involved in the network, along with recommendations to achieve network goals.
Target Audience
The bill aims to foster environmental awareness, leadership, and skill development among students, educators, and communities across Maine. It will build capacity for outdoor education and green infrastructure in Maine schools by expanding resources for clean energy adoption, curriculum development, and student-engaged sustainability planning.
Impact
The network will assist with the development of project-based, real-world environmental education curriculum, support school projects that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge, develop professional learning resources, and create a statewide community of practice for educators focused on community resilience and ecosystem changes.
Contact: MEEA Policy Coordinator, Kaya Lolar, kaya@meeassociation.org