For nearly a decade, NOAA and EPA education programs have been essential to advancing ocean, climate, and environmental literacy in the United States, a major goal of both the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Report and the National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes.
On February 13, 2012, however, President Obama released his FY 13 budget (the upcoming fiscal year running Oct 1, 2012 – Sep 30, 2013) and, unfortunately, the Administration eliminated funding for, among other things, the Environmental Literacy Grants (ELG) program at NOAA, as well funding for National Environmental Education Act (NEEA) programs at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To cut back on programs like these would be a huge step backwards for environmental education.
During tough economic times like these, it is imperative that we continue our investment in education, to prepare tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and innovators with the skills necessary to help protect and conserve our blue planet and rebuild our economy. It is critical that Congress appropriate the necessary funds to maintain full funding and ensure these programs continue.
Your help is needed, to make sure these programs are not permanently eliminated, by signing onto these two organizational sign-on letters:

• NOAA Letter –http://online.nwf.org/NOAASignOn

• EPA Letter –http://online.nwf.org/EPAeeSignOn

These letters will be sent to both the US House of Representatives and Senate on March 15^th.  Please sign BOTH – it takes 15 seconds and will do a lot of good!
Please forward this information to your networks and if you’re an individual, please send to an organization you’re affiliated with and ask them to sign on to these letters. Thank you!