FY2024 EE Appropriations

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Addressing complex and urgent environmental problems requires an informed and engaged citizenry. Federal environmental education (EE) programs through the EPA and NOAA have been crucial in funding local education initiatives that help students and the general public participate in community decisions about environmental issues.

Each year, we ask educators and advocates to join us in asking Congress to include these essential programs in the federal budget. We do this by urging Senators and Representatives to sign on to "Dear Colleague" letters in support of funding levels for the key programs described below. Take action today to help secure the future of environmental education!

For the fiscal year 2024 Federal Appropriations, we are seeking a needed funding increase for each of these priority programs.

Take Action Tools

An Advocate's Guide to the FY2024 EE Appropriations Campaign

Record of past Congressional support for EE

Sample scripts for phone calls and emails

NAAEE's Guide to Advocacy Basics

NOAA Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program

The NOAA B-WET program promotes locally relevant, experiential learning for K–12 students. The competitive, peer-reviewed funding promotes “meaningful watershed educational experiences” in six regions: California, Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, Hawai'i, New England, and the Pacific Northwest. Since 2002, NOAA has invested over $50 million to support more than 600 B-WET projects. Funding has been stagnant over the past few years, while the need for this type of education has grown dramatically.

NAAEE Position: We endorse increased funding to the FY 2010 level of $12 million
Key decision-makers: Members of House and Senate appropriations subcommittees on commerce and related agencies
Our Ask: We urge Members of Congress to sign a letter to Appropriators in support of this funding

NOAA Environmental Literacy Grant (ELG) Program

The NOAA ELG Program provides the public with science-based environmental education related to increasing community resilience and efficacy in solving local problems. Funding for the ELG program has been level for a number of years, while demand for the funding has grown.

NAAEE Position: We endorse increased funding back to the FY 2010 level of $8 million
Key decision-makers: Members of House and Senate appropriations subcommittees on commerce and related agencies
Our Ask: We urge Members of Congress to sign a letter to Appropriators in support of this funding

Download our fact sheet on NOAA B-WET and ELG funding to share with Congressional offices.

National Environmental Education Act/EPA Office of Environmental Education

This 30-year-old federal program directs essential grants to EE across the country. It funds innovative programming, facilitates key professional development, enables scholars and practitioners to conduct basic research, and provides vital basic services for the field. The program is central to the work of EE, including a local grant program key for communities all around the US.

NAAEE Position: This very successful program should be fully funded at $14 million for fiscal year 2024, a much needed increase from the current appropriation of $9.5 million
Key decision-makers: Members of the House and Senate appropriations subcommittee on interior, environment, and related agencies
Our Ask: We urge Members of Congress to sign a letter to Appropriators in support of this funding

Download our fact sheet on funding the National Environmental Education Act to share with Congressional offices.

Take Action Tools

NOAA Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program

NOAA Environmental Literacy Grant (ELG) Program

National Environmental Education Act/EPA Office of Environmental Education

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