{"id":21251,"date":"2025-06-10T14:11:43","modified":"2025-06-10T14:42:43","slug":"councilmember-strauss-advocates-rally-to-save-popular-environmental-education-program-for-seattle-kids","link":"https:\/\/council.seattle.gov\/2025\/06\/10\/councilmember-strauss-advocates-rally-to-save-popular-environmental-education-program-for-seattle-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Councilmember Strauss, advocates rally to save popular environmental education program for Seattle kids\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss<\/a> <\/strong>(District 6) joined advocates at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park today to advocate for fully funding the Seattle\u2019s renowned environmental learning program.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thousands of kids could lose access to the program next year due to budget cuts. Councilmember Strauss has proposed an amendment<\/a> that would preserve full funding for the program through the Every Child Ready Initiative<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA recent poll<\/a> found that Seattleites say our access to the outdoors is one of the best parts about living in our city. It\u2019s part of what sets Seattle apart. For a relatively small investment, we can save our city\u2019s renowned environmental education program and ensure it is around to serve our kids and families for years to come. Building strong connections between our kids and their natural environment is priceless. Our kids are worth it,\u201d said Councilmember Strauss<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For decades, the Seattle Parks\u2019 Environmental Education and Outdoor Learning program<\/a> has provided kids and families an opportunity to visit Seattle\u2019s parks, forests, and beaches to learn about nature. In 2024<\/a> alone, the program and it\u2019s 93 volunteers were able to serve 5,385 students from 65 different schools as part of the field trip program. Many of those were under-resourced Title 1 schools. Thousands more kids and families were served through nature activations, guided walks, and community partnership programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the city\u2019s budget deficit, the program is scheduled to run out of funding next year. The current version of the Every Child Ready Initiative would only restore 38 percent of the funding for the Environmental Learning Program. The other 62 percent, including funding for the paid volunteer coordinator, would be cut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To improve that, Councilmember Strauss is proposing an amendment that would fully fund the environmental learning program for kids and families. This will ensure that the program continues to serve Seattle\u2019s kids at its historic levels.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Quotes<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a former stay-at-home dad, our family has benefited from the Environmental Education and Outdoor Learning Programs. I know how important these programs are to kids and families all over the City, and it\u2019s a good way to get our kids out into nature, to understand how beautiful and fragile the ecosystem around us is, and why it\u2019s important to protect it. I\u2019m glad to be working with Councilmember Strauss to find a solution to ensure this environmental education moves forward.\u201d \u00a0
–Councilmember Bob Kettle <\/strong>(District 7)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur work inspires children, sparks joy and wonder, supports budding scientists, teaches empathy and care for our green world and each other. I am so grateful to Councilmember Dan Strauss for his support of our city\u2019s wonderful environment education programs. His amendment saves the amazing naturalists and their administrative and management support staff, preserving these programs for our city\u2019s children, and maintaining the history and institutional knowledge built up over the thirty years that this program has served our city.\u201d\u00a0
–Melanie Wienecke, volunteer Urban Nature Guide<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s next<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The vote on Councilmember Strauss\u2019 amendment is scheduled for Thursday, June 12 at the 9:30 a.m. meeting of the Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the amendment is approved by Council, the funding would be included as part of the Every Child Ready Initiative, which will go to voters on the November ballot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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