A strong and growing coalition of advocates for the environment, education and health is backing legislation that may change the way we teach children about the environment.

The No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 has been introduced in the House (H.R. 3036) by Rep. John P. Sarbanes, D-MD and in the Senate (S. 1981) by Sen. Jack Reed, D-RI. In both the House and Senate, the bill has attracted bipartisan support.

The No Child Left Inside bills would include environmental education in the No Child Left Behind law, the main federal education funding bill, which is due to be re-authorized by Congress this year. Specifically, the bill would provide new funding for environmental education to develop rigorous standards, train teachers and develop statewide environmental literacy plans.

Pushing for the legislation is the No Child Left Inside Coalition, which now includes more than 150 state and national groups with combined membership of more than 19 million members (including the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society). Among the national coalition partners are the North American Association for Environmental Education, National Audubon Society, National Education Association, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club and the Wilderness Society.

Support for the bill stems in part from a growing awareness that environmental education energizes students and improves academic achievement. Environmental education is also becoming more and more appealing to parents who want to get their children away from electronic devices and out into the natural world, to play, explore and learn.

The proposed legislation would provide a historic level of support for environmental education without introducing another mandate for teachers and schools. The No Child Left Inside bill gives states resources to provide teachers with environmental education training and to operate model environmental education programs that include outdoor learning. It would create an environmental education grant program to build state and national capacity, and it would offer funds to states for creating environmental literacy plans.

With the immense challenges facing the environment, it is critical that we improve environmental education. We need to create a greater awareness of environmental issues, as well as improve kids’ health and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable society. I am convinced that the No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 can revolutionize environmental education in this country – and not a moment too soon.

You can help make this happen. Your voice in support of this legislation will make a big difference in how individual members of Congress act. This is the critical moment to let your own representatives and senators, of both parties, know how you feel. If you believe children should spend more time outside, learning and playing, tell Congress. If you believe children need to be better prepared to address environmental issues that will shape their future, tell Congress. Urge your representatives and senators to co-sponsor, or at least support, the No Child Left Inside bill. In particular, we hope that Massachusetts environmental educators will get in touch with Sen. Ted Kennedy, chairman of the Senate education committee, and urge him to support the No Child Left Inside Act.

You can find more information about the bill and specific talking points at the Coalition website,

Don Baugh is the coordinator of the No Child Left InsideSM Coalition and is Vice President for Education of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.