Regional Outdoor Learning Network (ROLN) was convened in 2020 by NOAA and the Chesapeake Bay Trust based on an assessment conducted by Local Concepts LLC. Its recommendations came from the environmental literacy community across the Mid-Atlantic. The network aims to reinforce resource networks across the Chesapeake Region to ensure all students have access to high-quality environmental education opportunities and meaningful watershed education experiences (MWEEs). The state model below visualizes the multiple levels of actors in a state system and the high-level roles of network leaders within each level to effect change together. Strong relationship-building, communication systems, shared purpose, and aligned change strategies are critical for long-term systemic change efforts.
Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education (MAEOE) encourages, engages and empowers our community to understand, responsibly use and promote the natural world. This support of Maryland's environmental educators enables students to explore, investigate and act to improve the health of their schools and surroundings. In addition, meaningful change is the goal of MAEOE's collaboration with other environmental organizations to produce educational programs and promote environmental literacy throughout Maryland.
Outdoor Learning Partnership (OLP) was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore In April 2024, replacing the Project Green Classrooms Initiative (2017), which, replaced the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature (Executive Order 01.01.2017.12). The OLP Initiative is a renewal of Maryland's commitment both to environmental education, through environmental literacy programs, and to ensuring that Maryland youth experience, understand, and learn to conserve the natural environment. The goal of the partnership is to develop Maryland students as environmental caretakers by providing structured, outdoor educational opportunities where they can learn how to access, conserve, and restore the state’s natural resources. The partnership will also recommend ways for school systems to lessen the impacts their buildings and grounds have on local waterways and the environment, such as by reforesting unused land or developing renewable energy sources. The Initiative also will provide advice and support in the implementation and tracking of Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals and outcomes as they relate to environmental education.
Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) engages and empowers diverse groups to take actions that enrich natural resources and local communities of the Chesapeake Bay region. Leading to the vision, the Chesapeake Bay and local watersheds are healthy and safe, our waters are fishable and swimmable, local communities benefit from these healthy resources, and everyone participates in restoring and protecting our natural resource treasures.
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office uses science, service, and stewardship to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and ensure its sustainable use for generations to come. As part of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Habitat Conservation, we apply science and engage communities to tackle problems and challenges facing the Bay. Our work includes habitat science, oyster restoration, sustainable fisheries, climate resiliency; and environmental literacy. To carry out this work, the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office is organized into three branches: Environmental Literacy and Partnerships, Ecosystem Science and Synthesis, and Scientific Operations.
