Council Participates in the Global Young Leaders Conference

As part of the 2008 Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC), Council Member Dr. Gail Charnley recently spoke with future leaders from around the world about the need for critical analysis and for considering both benefits and costs when making environmental decisions. The annual GYLC program brings together outstanding young people to build critical leadership skills in a global context and the opportunity for students to exchange ideas with some of the world's top business leaders, policy officials, diplomats, and academics.

Spotlight: Roger Sedjo, Council Chairman

Director, Forest Economics & Policy Program, Resources for the Future, Washington, DC

• Why is the work of the Environmental Literacy Council important to you?
  Environmental education is important, especially in K-12, for the future of democratic decisionmaking and leadership.


• What are you working on right now?
  I have a new book out through RFF Press called Perspectives on Sustainable Resources in America which updates readers about the current challenges involved in managing America’s natural resources, especially in light of the increasing emphasis on sustainability and ecosystem approaches to management. Other topics I've been working on lately include cellulosic biofuels, avoided deforestation, and transgenic trees.


• Favorite class when you were a kid? Math


• Last book you read? Empire of Gold: A History of the Byzantine Empire (really)


• Last place you travelled? India

Council Partners with Take a Child Outside Week

Initiated by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Take A Child Outside Week is an international program designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world. By arming parents, teachers and other caregivers with resources on outdoor activities, our goal is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live. Looking for resources in your area? Please visit the Council's State Resources section.

The Year of Science 2009

The Council recently joined the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) in celebrating the Year of Science 2009. The year-long event aims to engage the public in science, improve understanding about how science works, why it matters, and who scientists are.