We recently sent an email urging you to contact your legislators about the status of Washington State funding for environmental and outdoor learning for kids. We’re asking again, because after Megan Karch, our CEO, and others from IslandWood have spent time in Olympia testifying on behalf of the importance of outdoor education, it’s clear the situation is dire.

Background on WA State Funding of Environmental & Outdoor Learning

• In 2022, IslandWood and our peers advocated for, and then celebrated, the passage of House Bill 2078, which established the Outdoor Learning Grant Program.
• The initiative aimed to enhance outdoor education experiences for students in Washington’s public schools, particularly those attending under-resourced schools.
• WA lawmakers recognized the benefits of outdoor learning: cultivation of environmental stewardship, practical experience with science concepts, increased academic achievement, improved school behaviors, development of leadership and collaboration skills, and opening doors to career paths.
• Washington State funded outdoor learning (not for all students, but for more students than before the legislation was passed) for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 school years.
• As then WA Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz said in relation to the House Bill, “We are finding it harder and harder every single year to be able to hire the experts and scientists that we need… everything from marine science to our foresters, even our wildfire and our forest health experts. The more we can be creating that pipeline and that passion, at an early age, the easier it will be.”

Where We Are Now

• Now, two years later, Washington’s House of Representatives is considering removing outdoor learning altogether from state funding.
• That means that while private schools will still be able to afford outdoor learning, most public schools will not. Students simply will not have access to places and experiences like IslandWood,at all.
• If outdoor learning in Washington is defunded and deprioritized for the next two years, we are at risk for losing a generation of stewards,activists, and scientists who have not had the deeply memorable,often life-changing experiences that organizations like IslandWood provide.

What We’re Asking of You Today

• If you haven’t already, and you care about inspiring the next generation who will be passionate, concerned, and ready to carefor this beautiful planet, then I’m asking you to reach out to your legislators, and to do it TODAY.
• The WA budget will be finalized in the next few days. When legislators know you care about this, they are more apt to try and find creative solutions to keep outdoor learning in the budget.
• You can send an automated email to your legislators using this link.
• You can find your legislative district here and email addresses & phone numbers for legislators and legislative aides here.
• And if you REALLY, REALLY want to have your voice heard, legislators have told us that the best way to show you care is to actually call their office.

We’re grateful for this dedicated, willing-to-take-action community that surrounds IslandWood throughout the region. You are making a difference for our state’s children and they need you now more than ever.

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