Section 7523.1 - Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education within the State System of Higher Education which will, in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, help to identify the needs for environmental education and promote research and development of programs for nonformal educators.(b) Duties.--The Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education shall have the following duties:(1) To promote the formation of partnerships with formal and nonformal educators, schools, agencies, public officials, county conservation districts, business, industry, nonprofit citizen and environmental education organizations. The partnership shall: (i) Assist with the dissemination of existing environmental education materials, program and training opportunities to agencies, organizations, educators and the public.(ii) Provide preservice and nonformal educator programs related to environmental education and support efforts to disseminate materials to meet those needs.(iii) Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of nonformal environmental education programs.(iv) Help to facilitate the active implementation of the environment and ecology standards adopted by the State Board of Education.(v) Promote both Statewide and regional solutions to environmental education needs to maximize the effective use of existing resources.(vi) Work with State agencies in the development of new educational tools where environmental education needs are identified.(2) To inventory, disseminate and generate environmental education-related research, including an environmental readiness assessment of public knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to environmental concerns and concepts every five years to help determine educational needs.(3) To establish an Internet-based resources network to make environmental information available and to provide training and education opportunities for educators and Pennsylvania's citizenry.(4) To actively seek public and private sources of funding to help support activities by the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education and its project partners.(c) Personnel.--The State System of Higher Education may, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education Board, hire such employees and contract with other entities as it determines to undertake its responsibilities to the extent available funds allow. All staff hiring, firing, staff and program evaluations and fiscal accountability will follow State System of Higher Education procedures and practices.(d) Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education Board established.--(1) To oversee and assess the operations of the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education in performing its duties, a Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education Board is hereby established. The board shall consist of the following:(i) The secretary or his designee from each of the following: the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Education.(ii) Five representatives appointed by the Chancellor of the State System of Higher Education. These representatives shall be chosen from among the business, agricultural, environmental, basic and higher education communities or from among any community which the appointing authority deems will further the purposes of environmental education in this Commonwealth. Representatives selected shall serve terms of four years. Of the representatives first appointed by the appointing authority, three shall serve for terms of two years and three shall serve for terms of four years. Representatives, upon expiration of their term, shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed. Vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of an unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments.(iii) A representative of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.(2) The board shall meet at least semiannually to establish priorities, adopt an annual work plan and annual budget, and review and approve activities of the center, and shall elect a chairperson.(3) Expenses of the board and the operation of the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education shall be paid by the State System of Higher Education from funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education.1993, June 22, P.L. 105, No. 24, § 3.1, added 2008, July 9, P.L. 940, No. 71, § 2, imd. effective.