Minnesota Environmental Education Board

The Minnesota legislature in 1969 authorized the departments of Natural Resources and Education to jointly create environmental education curriculum resources [Laws 1969 c1129 art13 s2]. A position was funded in each agency. In 1971, by executive order, the Minnesota Environmental Education Council (MEEC) was established and a $40,000 federal grant funded a study resulting in a state plan for environmental education. The plan was published in 1972.

In 1973, the legislature officially authorized the MEEC and created 13 regional environmental education councils (REECs) subordinate to it [Minn. Stat. 1973 c116E]. The latter were proposed in the 1972 state plan to serve people of all ages in formal and informal education settings.

The MEEC consisted of 13 members appointed by the governor, and one member from each of the REECs. It operated under the general supervision of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Council. It was to prepare and from time to time revise a plan for environmental education within the state, advise the legislature and the governor concerning the status of environmental education in the state, and give its recommendations concerning the subject, coordinate the activities of the REECs, and prepare studies and reports on the subject of environmental education.

In 1976 the MEEC was renamed the Minnesota Environmental Education Board (MEEB) [Minn. Stat. 1976 c116E]. For administrative purposes, the MEEC/MEEB was attached to the following state departments and agencies: Department of Education (1973-1975), State Planning Agency (1975-1978), Department of Natural Resources (1978-1989), and State Planning Agency (1989-1990).

In 1981 the MEEB's budget was cut 50% and two of its three regional offices were closed. The legislature further reduced its funding in 1989. In 1990 the legislature passed the Environmental Education Act [Laws 1990 c595], providing an Office of Environmental Education to supersede the MEEB and authorizing it to create regional resource centers with local advisory boards. No funding was provided, however. This eliminated for all practical purposes any state supported environmental education program in Minnesota. All of the MEEB staff were laid off in June 1990 and the councils and board ceased to function.

From the guide to the Brainerd Office records, 1974-1990., (Minnesota Historical Society)

The Minnesota legislature in 1969 authorized the departments of Natural Resources and Education to jointly create environmental education curriculum resources [Laws 1969 c1129 art13 s2]. A position was funded in each agency. In 1971, by executive order, the Minnesota Environmental Education Council (MEEC) was established and a $40,000 federal grant funded a study resulting in a state plan for environmental education. The plan was published in 1972.

In 1973, the legislature officially authorized the MEEC and created 13 regional environmental education councils (REECs) subordinate to it [Minn. Stat. 1973 c116E]. The latter were proposed in the 1972 state plan to serve people of all ages in formal and informal education settings.

The MEEC consisted of 13 members appointed by the governor, and one member from each of the REECs. It operated under the general supervision of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Council. It was to prepare and from time to time revise a plan for environmental education within the state, advise the legislature and the governor concerning the status of environmental education in the state, and give its recommendations concerning the subject, coordinate the activities of the REECs, and prepare studies and reports on the subject of environmental education.

In 1976 the MEEC was renamed the Minnesota Environmental Education Board (MEEB) [Minn. Stat. 1976 c116E]. For administrative purposes, the MEEC/MEEB was attached to the following state departments and agencies: Department of Education (1973-1975), State Planning Agency (1975-1978), Department of Natural Resources (1978-1989), and State Planning Agency (1989-1990).

In 1981 the MEEB's budget was cut 50% and two of its three regional offices were closed. The legislature further reduced its funding in 1989. In 1990 the legislature passed the Environmental Education Act [Laws 1990 c595], providing an Office of Environmental Education to supersede the MEEB and authorizing it to create regional resource centers with local advisory boards. No funding was provided, however. This eliminated for all practical purposes any state supported environmental education program in Minnesota. All of the MEEB staff were laid off in June 1990 and the councils and board ceased to function.

From the guide to the Morris office records, 1974-1990., (Minnesota Historical Society)

The Minnesota legislature in 1969 authorized the departments of Natural Resources and Education to jointly create environmental education curriculum resources [Laws 1969 c1129 art13 s2]. A position was funded in each agency. In 1971, by executive order, the Minnesota Environmental Education Council (MEEC) was established and a $40,000 federal grant funded a study resulting in a state plan for environmental education. The plan was published in 1972.

In 1973, the legislature officially authorized the MEEC and created 13 regional environmental education councils (REECs) subordinate to it [Minn. Stat. 1973 c116E]. The latter were proposed in the 1972 state plan to serve people of all ages in formal and informal education settings.

The MEEC consisted of 13 members appointed by the governor, and one member from each of the REECs. It operated under the general supervision of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Council. It was to prepare and from time to time revise a plan for environmental education within the state, advise the legislature and the governor concerning the status of environmental education in the state, and give its recommendations concerning the subject, coordinate the activities of the REECs, and prepare studies and reports on the subject of environmental education.

In 1976 the MEEC was renamed the Minnesota Environmental Education Board (MEEB) [Minn. Stat. 1976 c116E]. For administrative purposes, the MEEC/MEEB was attached to the following state departments and agencies: Department of Education (1973-1975), State Planning Agency (1975-1978), Department of Natural Resources (1978-1989), and State Planning Agency (1989-1990).

In 1981 the MEEB's budget was cut 50% and two of its three regional offices were closed. The legislature further reduced its funding in 1989. In 1990 the legislature passed the Environmental Education Act [Laws 1990 c595], providing an Office of Environmental Education to supersede the MEEB and authorizing it to create regional resource centers with local advisory boards. No funding was provided, however. This eliminated for all practical purposes any state supported environmental education program in Minnesota. All of the MEEB staff were laid off in June 1990 and the councils and board ceased to function.

From the guide to the Grand Rapids office records, 1973-1990., (Minnesota Historical Society)

The Minnesota legislature in 1969 authorized the departments of Natural Resources and Education to jointly create environmental education curriculum resources [Laws 1969 c1129 art13 s2]. A position was funded in each agency. In 1971, by executive order, the Minnesota Environmental Education Council (MEEC) was established and a $40,000 federal grant funded a study resulting in a state plan for environmental education. The plan was published in 1972.

In 1973, the legislature officially authorized the MEEC and created 13 regional environmental education councils (REECs) subordinate to it [Minn. Stat. 1973 c116E]. The latter were proposed in the 1972 state plan to serve people of all ages in formal and informal education settings.

The MEEC consisted of 13 members appointed by the governor, and one member from each of the REECs. It operated under the general supervision of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Council. It was to prepare and from time to time revise a plan for environmental education within the state, advise the legislature and the governor concerning the status of environmental education in the state, and give its recommendations concerning the subject, coordinate the activities of the REECs, and prepare studies and reports on the subject of environmental education.

In 1976 the MEEC was renamed the Minnesota Environmental Education Board (MEEB) [Minn. Stat. 1976 c116E]. For administrative purposes, the MEEC/MEEB was attached to the following state departments and agencies: Department of Education (1973-1975), State Planning Agency (1975-1978), Department of Natural Resources (1978-1989), and State Planning Agency (1989-1990).

In 1981 the MEEB's budget was cut 50% and two of its three regional offices were closed. The legislature further reduced its funding in 1989. In 1990 the legislature passed the Environmental Education Act [Laws 1990 c595], providing an Office of Environmental Education to supersede the MEEB and authorizing it to create regional resource centers with local advisory boards. No funding was provided, however. This eliminated for all practical purposes any state supported environmental education program in Minnesota. All of the MEEB staff were laid off in June 1990 and the councils and board ceased to function.

From the guide to the Central office records, 1971-1990., (Minnesota Historical Society)