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necessary here: (1) Legislation with teeth, as Mrs. Kelly states, and (2) Adequate 
funding, as she also advocates. 
However, the structure for cooperation between the two state agencies does 
exist and has been actively working during the past year. 
I agree with her Proposal 4, that the Conservation Education Advisory Board 
should be strengthened by statute, and should have its duties and powers strictly 
outlined statutorily---and that is the thrust of amendments to the State Education 
Act which are now being proposed by Dr. David Yaseen, the present head of the 
Department of Conservation and Environmental Education, OSPI. 
I also have some differences with Mrs. Kelly in her Proposal 5, which are 
on the philosophical side of "what constitutes environmental education?" and hence 
are too lengthy to be included herein. But this also is the subject for the State 
Task Force which I mentioned before. Input into this Task Force's deliberations 
is necessary for all agencies, organizations and groups vitally interested in 
environmental education, and this includes Mrs. Kelly. 
In regards Mrs. Kelly's Proposals 6, 7, 8 and 9, I have little comment except 
to note that nowhere does she mention possible funding under the Environmental 
Education Act, and that she does not tie in the use of the Conservation Department 's 
bread and expanding state park system and land facilities with environmental 
education movement. The Department is considering these items, and is working with 
OSPI on them. 
The great melding pot of Illinois' resources, physically, educationally and 
curriculum-wise is, I hold, the State Task Force which is being organized under 
the conditions and terms of the Environmental Education Act. When the state is 
fully oriented towards the goals of environmental education, it must have exacting, 
fundamental and consistent criteria and guidelines for use throughout all school 
Systems and also in adult education. This must be done through coordination and 
cooperation at the highest level. 
To do so, all resources must be considered and molded into portions of one 
overall program. Mrs. Kelly's article fails to consider some of the more potent 
and most important facets of the Conservation Department's efforts to date, hence 
she is overlooking some resources that are already being employed and have further 
chance of greater implementation if given funding and personnel. 
My purpose in writing to you was to explain these obvious flaws in her article. 
I have only your address (am not certain even that is correct), and I have no idea 
how to reach Mrs, Kelly. If you could oblige by forwarding to her a copy of this 
letter, or reply to me with her address, I will be very appreciative, 
Very,truly yours, 
4 
ste 2 
EY tices oom pe ne ee 
us ot. re Paes 
John G. Warren 
Supervisor 
- Division of Education 
JIGW:cn 
