Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan In October 2010, Oregon became the third state in the nation to pass into legislation a state environmental literacy plan.  Developed by a task force of educators throughout the state, the Oregon Enviromental Literacy Plan focuses on “preparing students to understand and address the major environmental challenges facing the state and country.” The plan identifies five key strands of environmental literacy: 1.    Understand the physical and biological world and our  interdependent relationship with it 2.    Understand and apply systems thinking concepts and tools 3.    Sense of place, region, national, and global community 4.    Investigate, plan, and create a sustainable future 5.    Understand and achieve personal and civic responsibility KBO's education programs align closely with the five strands of environmental literacy.  Since our incoporation, we have taken a holistic approach to education, using our science as a platform to teach students and community members about our relationships with the biological world and our place in the global community.  Our education programs emphasize the importance of stewardship and ecosystem health as well as an understanding of local and global environmental issues.  The literacy plan now provides an opportunity for KBO to use our science-based education approach to further Oregon’s environmental literacy and outdoor education standards.  To view or download a PDF of the literacy plan, click here.