GOVERNOR HOGAN PROCLAIMS APRIL 22 AS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION DAY AND PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN MARYLAND

Earth Day Network urges every state to do the same and proclaim April 22, 2020 as Environmental Education Day

February 20, 2020, Washington, DC/Maryland – Earth Day Network, which coordinates Earth Day annually around the globe, commends the State of Maryland on its declaration of April 22, 2020 as Environmental Education Day.

Maryland is the first state in the United States to declare April 22^nd as Environmental Education Day. Maryland also has a history of environmental education commitments: it was the first state to approve environmental literacy graduation requirements for every public school student and to pass a green schools act.

The proclamation, signed by Governor Hogan, states, “Environmental education promotes civic engagement and environmental awareness, fostering an ability to participate in lifelong environmental decision making and stewardship.”

Earth Day 2020 comes 50 years after the first Earth Day which, in 1970, included teach-ins across the country focused on environmental education. For the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Earth Day Network is calling upon government officials from across the country to declare Environmental Education Day and to make similar commitments to prepare students to be productive and successful stewards. High quality, universal climate and environmental education is going to be critical for the ability of young people to address the challenges in the 21st century.

Kathleen Rogers, President of the Earth Day Network, said: “Earth Day 2020 presents a unique opportunity to bring environmental and climate education to the forefront of policy and international attention as millions tune in and take to the streets to recognize 50 years of environmental victories, setbacks, activism and advocacy on behalf of our planet.” She added, “I am thrilled to see Maryland make this commitment to environmental education again for Earth Day’s 50th anniversary as it has over the past few years in working to develop an environmentally literate citizenry engaged in civic action.”

Now that Maryland has announced its commitment to environmental education, we urge every state to do the same and proclaim April 22, 2020 as Environmental Education Day. For other states looking to do this initiative, here is a draft proclamation.

Schools can find free environmental education resources and sign on to be an Earth Day school at Earth Day Network’s website. They can also join thousands of groups and organizations by listing their Earth Day events on our global map. From cleanups to citizen science and teach-ins to green festivals, schools across the world are leading the charge for climate action. Schools can take advantage of Earth Day Network’s wide range of free resources and toolkits found in the Education Resource Library.

Note to Editors

About Earth Day Network

Earth Day Network is a non-profit organization whose mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with close to 100,000 partners in nearly 192 countries to build environmental democracy.

More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Earth Day Network works through a combination of education, public policy, and consumer campaigns.  For more information, visit www.earthday.org

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Tracey Ritchie at [email protected]

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