4.22.24

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser joined special guests and students for a planting project on Earth Day after announcing the new K-12 environmental literacy plan.

The plan isn't mandatory, but provides a framework for formal educators with ways students can learn about environmental issues, critical thinking and civic engagement.

“Making sure that we've got students who are educated in science and environmental literacy is going to be so important to make sure that we can tackle the challenges of the future,” Biser said.

Special guests included representatives from NC Dept of Public Instruction, Wake County Public School System, N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, the Town of Fuquay-Varina, Environmental Educators of North Carolina, Lincoln Heights ES PTA, Wake County Solid Waste Division, and South Wake Conservationists. Third-graders shared their ideas for reducing food waste during our event, and our fifth-grade GROW ambassadors planted new pollinator garden beds!