NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (EXCERPT)
Act 451 of 1994 Part 25
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

324.2501 Purpose of part.

Sec. 2501.

The purpose of this part is to facilitate an understanding by citizens of this state of the natural environment including an understanding of basic sciences, ecological sciences, and of the connection between human beings, air, land, water, and other living things, as well as how these systems relate to the global environment, thus making it possible for human beings to make informed decisions regarding protection and conservation of the environment and utilization of the natural resources in a wise and prudent fashion.

History: Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA

324.2502 Definitions.

Sec. 2502.

As used in this part:

(a) "Coordinator" means the coordinator of environmental education provided for in section 2503.

(b) "Environmental education" means the teaching of factual information regarding the natural environment, including basic sciences, ecological sciences, agricultural sciences, and other relevant subject matter, and 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.

History: Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA

324.2503 Coordinator of environmental education; appointment; responsibilities.

Sec. 2503.

The department shall appoint a coordinator of environmental education within the department of natural resources. The coordinator's primary responsibilities shall be to do 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.

(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.

(g) Recommend the appropriate mechanism for establishment of a clearinghouse of environmental education materials, which would make environmental education materials available to educators throughout the 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.

History: Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA

324.2504 Repealed. 2008, Act 397, Imd. Eff. Jan. 6, 2009.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to establishment of environmental education advisory committee.

324.2505 Environmental education fund; creation; disposition of assets; appropriation of civil fines to fund; money to remain in fund; administrator of fund for auditing purposes; establishment and operation of clearinghouse of environmental education materials.

Sec. 2505.

(1) The environmental education fund is created within the state treasury.

(2) The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the fund. The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the fund. Interest and earnings from fund investments shall be credited to the fund.

(3) Twenty-five percent of the civil fines collected annually under the following parts or their predecessor acts, but not more than $250,000.00 in any fiscal year, shall be appropriated to the fund:

(a) Part 31.

(b) Part 111.

(4) Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund.

(5) The department shall be the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes.

(6) Money in the fund shall be used to implement this part and may be used for the establishment and operation of a clearinghouse of environmental education materials, which would make environmental education materials available to educators throughout the state.

History: Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 ;-- Am. 2008, Act 397, Imd. Eff. Jan. 6, 2009
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA

324.2511 Designation as "green school"; environmental stewardship designation; criteria; approval or rejection of application.

Sec. 2511.

(1) A public or private school in this state may apply to be designated as a "green school" by submitting an application to the entity designated under subsection (4) by the county in which the school is located. A school is eligible to receive a green school, emerald school, or evergreen school environmental stewardship designation under this section if the school or students perform the required number of activities, with a minimum of 2 activities from each of the categories described in subsection (2), as follows:

(a) Green school - 10.

(b) Emerald school - 15.

(2) The activities in the following 4 categories qualify toward an environmental stewardship designation under this section:

(a) Recycling category, which includes the following activities:

(i) Coordinating a program for recycling at least 2 of the following: office paper, plastic, metal cans, printer cartridges, newspapers and magazines, cellular telephones, cardboard, fabric and clothing, compact discs and digital video discs, or glass.

(ii) Composting food and organic wastes.

(iii) Conducting a waste-free lunch program.

(iv) Implementing a policy to buy recycled, biodegradable, locally produced, or less toxic food and school supplies.

(b) Energy category, which includes the following activities:

(i) Offering at least 1 teaching unit on alternative energy.

(ii) Using alternative energy, renewable fuels, or specialized energy-efficient technology in school operations.

(iii) Implementing a school energy-saving program.

(iv) Performing energy audits at student homes and educating student families and the community.

(v) Taking part in a project or event to promote improved vehicle fuel efficiency.

(vi) Sponsoring an alternative energy presentation, project, or event.

(i) Participating in activities promoting the health of the Great Lakes watershed.

(ii) Offering a teaching unit on environmental issues facing this state.

(iii) Establishing or maintaining a natural Michigan garden project with native plants.

(iv) Establishing or maintaining an animal habitat project.

(v) Participating in a local community environmental issue by activities such as letter-writing, attending public hearings, raising funds, or community outreach.

(d) Miscellaneous category, which includes the following activities:

(i) Adopting an endangered or threatened species and publicizing the activity.

(ii) Hosting an environmental or energy speaker, event, or field trip.

(iii) Establishing a student organization that participates in environmental activities.

(iv) Observing earth day by participating in an earth day event in April.

(v) Maintaining an updated bulletin board or kiosk with information on environmental concerns and the school's actions in addressing those concerns.

(vi) Establishing an eco-reading program.

(vii) Updating the school's media center environmental materials.

(viii) Visiting internet sites that educate about the environment and support endangered ecosystems.

(3) In addition to the activities described in subsection (2), a school may design and propose another activity, which may qualify toward an environmental stewardship designation under this section if the entity designated under subsection (4) approves the activity by December 1 of the applicable school year.

(4) A county shall designate a department of the county or the intermediate school district of the county to accept, consider, and approve or reject an application under subsection (1).

History: Add. 2006, Act 146, Imd. Eff. May 22, 2006 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 301, Imd. Eff. Dec. 16, 2010
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA

324.2521 Repealed. 2018, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 25, 2018.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to a status and assessment report.
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA

Rendered 8/15/2025 2:47 PM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov