People of all ages enjoy learning about pollution prevention using the Enviroscape display.    

Protecting and enhancing Michigan’s environment is the charge of the Department of Environmental Quality , though it is a responsibility we share with many organizations and ultimately with every Michigan resident.  In April 2000 the DEQ launched this environmental education web site to provide citizens another avenue to access information about the environment.

The DEQ is working with the Michigan Department of Education and an advisory committee to develop science based environmental education curriculum that will be made available to Michigan science teachers.  The curriculum materials will aid Michigan’s youth in acquiring basic information about the natural environment and to understand how it functions, how it is affected by human activity, and how harmony between human activity and the natural environment can be achieved.

We will also continue to establish partnerships with organizations and the private sector, to support development of education efforts aimed at helping the public increase their understanding of the environment.  I encourage you to become active in doing what you can to help protect and enhance Michigan’s environment.  Feel free to contact me direct at occhipit@michigan.gov for educational information you desire, or to offer your suggestions on how we can improve our service.

Tom Occhipinti
Environmental Education Coordinator
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality