The Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by state Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) to strengthen a successful statewide environmental education program based at Slippery Rock University has been approved by the Senate.

The Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education serves as a statewide environmental education resource for state agencies, county conservation districts, educators and nonprofit organizations.

The PCEE was established by Executive Order 1996-7. Sen. White’s legislation, Senate Bill 410, would amend the Environmental Education Act to establish the PCEE in statute, strengthening its status among state programs and ensuring more stable funding.

“The State Board of Education has adopted environment and ecology curriculum standards that students in kindergarten through grade 12 must attain at each level, and the PCEE is an important teaching aid. Senate Bill 410 supports this effort by establishing a PCEE governing board, and ensuring it remains focused on environmental education issues,” said Sen. White, who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Among its various duties, PCEE inventories and generates environmental education related research; maintains an Internet-based environmental resources network; and provides training and education opportunities for educators and citizens.

“The Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education makes learning tools available to teachers, home-school parents and students via the Internet and newsletters. This legislation is designed to make sure such information continues to be available,” said Sen. White. “It’s an excellent resource and it says a lot about Slippery Rock University that the PCEE has come so far.”

Similar legislation was approved by the Senate last year, but did not reach a vote in the House of Representatives. Senator White worked closely with Gov. Rendell to win passage of Senate Bill 410 in the Senate. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives.

6/24/2005