Gov. Gray Davis recently signed California state Assemblywoman Fran Pavley’s environmental education bill into law. Also present were representatives from Heal the Bay, who sponsored AB 1548.

This bill directs the Office of Education on the Environment within CalEPA to develop environmental education principles for elementary and secondary education and use these principles to create a model curriculum. It also requires that the Department of Education incorporate these environmental principles into the next cycles of instructional materials adoptions.

National Geographic, a strong supporter of the legislation, said that "AB 1548 does not reinvent the wheel; it refines it for a child of the 21st century. Environmental education is critical to empower future generations."

"California has serious air and water degradation that affects our health and our economy," said Pavley. "AB 1548 will help students make informed decisions on how to live and work in ways that are positive for our environment. As a teacher, I know that kids care about the environment. Lessons about the environment will get them more engaged in the learning process.

"Thanks also go to Winston Hickox and Patty Schwartz at CalEPA, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, Kelly Meyer; Mark Gold and Leslie Mintz of Heal the Bay and to Susan Little of my Capitol staff for the work that all of them did to make this bill happen."

The bill also establishes an account to generate funds through public and private donations and judgments against polluters in state or federal court that will be specifically designated for use for environmental education.