The Florida Senate

372.674  Environmental education.--

(1)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may establish programs and activities to develop and distribute environmental education materials that will assist the public in understanding and appreciating Florida's environment and problems and issues facing our state's unique and fragile ecological systems. Such programs shall assist school teachers, state administrators, and others in the essential mission to preserve the capability to sustain the functions of our lands, water, wildlife habitats, and other natural resources in the most healthful, enjoyable, and productive manner.

(2)  There is created within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission the Advisory Council on Environmental Education. The council is to have up to 10 members appointed by the commission and is to be chaired by the commission's executive director or his or her designee. At a minimum, the council must include a representative of the Department of Education and a representative of the Department of Environmental Protection.

(3)  Each member who is a public official shall perform the duties of a member of the council as additional duties required of that member in his or her other official capacity.

(4)  A member of the council may not be compensated for his or her services but is entitled to per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061

(5)  The council shall hold meetings at least semiannually at the call of the chairperson.

(6)  The advisory council shall:

(a)  Serve as a forum for the discussion and study of problems that affect the environment which could be improved with environmental education.

(b)  Develop a recommended priority list for projects to be funded through the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund and the Save the Manatee Trust Fund and review and evaluate projects implemented through the fund.

(c)  Review and evaluate annual funding needs for educational activities and materials which will assist Florida public school students, teachers, and administrators in the perception and understanding of ecological principles and environmental problems.

(d)  Cooperate with the Department of Education in evaluating annual project proposals for projects to be funded through the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund and the Save the Manatee Trust Fund to develop and distribute model instructional materials for use in environmental education to integrate environmental education into the general curriculum of public school districts, community colleges, and universities.

(e)  Cooperate with the Department of Environmental Protection in evaluating annual proposals for projects to be funded through the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund and the Save the Manatee Trust Fund that can promote an understanding about environmental protection programs and activities administered by the department.

(f)  Not less than 90 days prior to each regular session of the Legislature, prepare an annual report of its activities and recommendations and transmit it to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(7)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall review the recommended list of projects to be funded from the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund and the Save the Manatee Trust Fund by August of each year and make a final determination of projects to receive grants from available appropriations by the Legislature. The commission shall act upon the recommended list within 45 days after receipt of the list.

History.--s. 82, ch. 96-321; s. 4, ch. 98-333; s. 151, ch. 99-245.