CAELI was re-envisioned in 2020 to expand participation and create opportunities for collective action. The initiative is now structured as a shared leadership model, offering members the chance to collaborate on programs and efforts that advance environmental literacy for all of California’s students. This page provides an overview of the current season’s programs and projects.
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Virtual Communities of Practice
The Virtual Communities of Practice provides a space for different affinity groups (County of Education (COE) staff, district and school leaders, and community-based partners) to connect and share best practices and resources for advancing environmental literacy and sustainability in their county regions. Explore all of CAELI’s Communities of Practice below:
CAELI Green Ribbon Initiative
The California Green Ribbon Schools (CA-GRS) recognition award honors school communities for excellence in resource efficiency, health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education. The goal of CAELI Green Ribbon Initiative is to increase participation in the California Green Ribbon Recognition Awards Program. In this initiative, CAELI Leaders work with the California Department of Education (CDE) to support a number of efforts including the following:
- CAELI Green Ribbon Resources Website: This site provides Green Ribbon applicants with the resources they need to achieve success in the Green Ribbon recognition program. The site also gathers achiever stories from the field to inspire district and school communities.
- California Green Ribbon Achievers and Applicants Network: This network meets quarterly with a focus on giving participants the chance to network with each other to inspire and share best practices and achieve at this highest level of Green Ribbon recognition.
- CAELI Green Ribbon Technical Assistance Working Group: This working group is made up of leaders across the state who are champions for the Green Ribbon program that can provide technical assistance to districts and schools pursuing Green Ribbon.
In-Person Meet Up Initiatives
In 2025–26, CAELI meet-ups will be held either virtually or in person, and will center around affinity connections or shared interests and themes. Below are some examples of meet-up group projects:
- Green California Schools and Higher Education (GCSHE) Summit and Exposition Summit: For the past three years, district leaders have hosted meet-ups at the GCSHE Summit (see past meet-ups from 2022, 2023, 2024), and have recently expanded to include a pre-summit gathering (see 2025 recap).
- Regional District Climate Literacy Exchanges: There have been two Bay Area Climate Literacy Exchanges in 2024 and 2025, along with a Southern California Exchange in 2024. This season, CAELI is supporting the 2026 Bay Area Climate Literacy Exchange.
Resource and Training Projects
CAELI supports in-depth training programs that combine knowledge and skill building, opportunities to connect and network with peers, guided implementation coaching, and accountability structures to support action or a commitment to action. Projects for 2025–26 include:
- COE Fellowship: The CAELI COE Fellowship is a nine-month program designed to support County Office of Education (COE) employees in launching or strengthening Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiatives. Fellows may also focus on integrating environmental and climate literacy into existing COE programs and initiatives.
- CAELI Equity Integration: This project focuses on implementing the equity-related practices outlined in the CAELI Equity Guidebook across all CAELI members. The group may lead professional development sessions during CAELI Quarterly Meetings and offer additional support through office hours, project consultation, or by curating and sharing stories from the field.
- CAELI Partner Portal: This project is focused on continuing to grow the number of partners on the CAELI Partner Portal , and to coordinate the County Offices of Education that are hosting microsites.
