Last week, I along, with six other Audubon Center Directors, had the honor of attending the first ever White House Summit on Environmental Education (EE).   Throughout the day, we had an opportunity to learn about various movements within the EE field and share our ideas about the future of EE in the country.  While, woefully underfunded at a Federal level, a major outcome of this meeting was that the EPA is leading the way to reconvene the Federal Task Force on Environmental Education.  This task force will help to coordinate efforts between distinct departments of the Federal Government.

For me, a truly eye opening moment came Andrew Rotherham,  Time Magazine contributor, remarked on the widening achievement gap between poor and affluent students.  Andrew related that 8% of low income students get a bachelor’s degree by the time they are 25, while 80% of affluent students earn a degree by 25.

At Audubon, we talk all the time about helping build the conservation leaders of the future, but how can we insure that the future conservation conversation is inclusive of all segments of our communities, particularly those from communities of color?  Our EE work at Debs Park, provides meaningful opportunities for youth to take action for the local environment, first by learning about it and then by helping to care for it.  We know that this type of action and learning helps make environmental issues relevant to their lives, make them more engaged in learning, and helps put them on a track to college.  Restoring bird habitat in Debs improves the quality of life for the bird and human communities.  As we engage people to advocate for more public open space, we are making LA a better place for people and birds.  We look forward to more of our kids graduating high school, going on to college, and leading the charge for bird friendly communities!