June 30, 2001

The Honorable James S. Gilmore III, Governor
Commonwealth of Virginia

Esteemed Governor Gilmore:

On behalf of the members of the Virginia Environmental Education Advisory Committee, I  am pleased to deliver to you the report of the Committee and its recommendations.

As our conclusion says, your Environmental Education Initiative has highlighted many of the good programs occurring in the Commonwealth and begun to make information about these programs more accessible to environmental educators.  

We have learned much about the status of environmental education in Virginia, highlighted our successes and identified ways in which we can continue to improve.  We acknowledge that undoubtedly there are some exceptions around the Commonwealth to our perceptions.  Nevertheless, that should not diminish the importance of this vital endeavor.  

We believe that the spirit of our proposed actions is more important than their details.  The recommendations of the Virginia Environmental Education Advisory Committee are intended to encourage further growth toward universal environmental literacy in which citizens engage in life-long learning about the environment and make wise decisions that enhance both current and future generations' quality of life.

The Committee is pleased to call attention to this essential dialogue and challenge everyone to do their part … as students and educators, as private and public employees, as novices and experts, as urban and rural neighbors, as consumers and producers, as conservatives and liberals, as young and old, as poor and affluent, as individuals and institutions, as leaders and followers.  Everyone is essential for success. 

We believe pursuit of the actions proposed will sharply increase the level and extent of environmental education in the Commonwealth, and thereby preserve for our posterity that which we know to truly be our common weal in Virginia.

With warmest personal regards,

Walter R. T. Witschey, Chair
Virginia Environmental Education Advisory Committee