Congressional Champions for Environmental Education

Because the environmental education (EE) field is still relatively young, the EE community has not yet accrued a vast history of Capitol Hill battles and successes. A brief legislative history, however, has not hindered EE?s ability to attract an extensive and bipartisan following among Members of Congress.

These Congressional supporters have played a crucial role in securing the major EE legislative successes of the past 15 years. They have truly ?championed? the cause?by protecting EE legislation as it moved between chambers, by supporting EE appropriations, or by introducing legislation that acknowledges, promotes, and sustains the field.

Below are several important battles and successes that the field has experienced in its fight to secure a greater federal investment in EE. Highlighted under each are those Members of Congress who played a key role.

• The National Environmental Education Act of 1990
• 1996-2001: Reauthorizing the National Environmental Education Act
• 2003 & 2005: Restoring Funding for EPA's Office of Environmental Education