Bill Text: MI HB6405 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Natural resources: forests; urban forestry program for high school students; create. Amends secs. 2502 & 2503 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.2502 & 324.2503).
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-09-27 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 09/22/2022 [HB6405 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-HB6405-Introduced.html
HOUSE BILL NO. 6405
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending sections 2502 and 2503 (MCL 324.2502 and 324.2503), as added by 1995 PA 60.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 2502. As used in this part:
(a) "Coordinator" means the coordinator of environmental education provided for in section 2503.
(b) "Department" means the department of environment, Great Lakes, and energy.
(c) (b) "Environmental education" means the teaching of both of the following:
(i) Teaching factual information regarding the natural environment, including basic sciences, ecological sciences, agricultural sciences, and other relevant subject matter. , and the
(ii) The interdisciplinary process of developing a citizenry that is knowledgeable about the total environment and has the capacity and the commitment to engage in inquiry, problem solving, decision making, and action that will assure environmental quality.
Sec. 2503. The director of the department shall appoint a coordinator of environmental education within the department. of natural resources. The coordinator's primary responsibilities shall be to do are the following:
(a) Coordinate the efforts of the department related to environmental education.
(b) Work with the department of education and with local education institutions, not-for-profit educational and environmental organizations, broadcasting entities, and private sector interests to support development of curricula, special projects, and other activities to increase understanding of the basic sciences and of natural resources and the environment.
(c) Provide technical assistance to school districts, schools, and educators wishing to undertake projects including, but not limited to, water quality, air quality monitoring, or habitat protection.
(d) If an environmental education advisory committee is established pursuant to section 2504, coordinate with the department in staffing the advisory committee.Work with entities described in subdivision (b) as well as the department of natural resources, foresters, arborists, and naturalists to develop an urban forestry program. The purpose of the urban forestry program is to provide an opportunity for high school students to do all of the following in collaboration with arborists, foresters, naturalists, and other qualified professionals:
(i) Harvest urban trees whose removal is necessary.
(ii) Produce lumber from the trees.
(iii) Supply the lumber to the department of natural resources or local units of government for use in the construction of structures in parks.
(iv) Enhance and expand the urban forest.
(e) Provide assistance to the commission in implementing statewide environmental education strategies developed by the department and the department of education.
(f) Assist in identifying grants or other sources of funding for innovative educators, and students of environmental education, and the urban forestry program under subdivision (d).
(g) Recommend the appropriate mechanism for establishment of a clearinghouse of environmental education materials, which would to make environmental education materials available to educators throughout the this state.
(h) Provide or support existing training and professional development programs for educators.
(i) Assist in the incorporation of environmental education into curriculum objectives for the state's elementary and secondary schools and develop appropriate assessment mechanisms.
(j) Promote awareness of section 1171a of the school code of 1976, Act No. 451 of the Public Acts of 1976, being section 380.1171a of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
