Objective: Identify and build upon existing environmental education programs for adults and promote new initiatives to ensure excellent environmental education opportunities for all North Carolinians.

Explanation: Education of the adult population is a critical challenge. An initial step in this effort is to identify and recognize existing programs, determine needs and build upon examples of excellence in North Carolina. New and innovative environmental education programs need to be developed which will build on existing knowledge and instill in the general public a conservation ethic and sense of stewardship in their communities.

Action:

Inventory North Carolina environmental education programs for adults and promote them through the Environmental Education Clearinghouse.

Promote partnerships between the public and private sectors to provide adult environmental education programs, initiatives and community outreach.

Encourage the development of environmental education programs to include business and community leaders.

Encourage the development of environmental education programs for the general public that pair adults with children and that reach persons with disabilities.

Promote the use of theater, music and art as environmental education teaching media for families.

Emphasize and promote environmental education programs in remote, rural and low income regions of North Carolina.