MN SF3196

Establishes a 13-member advisory group to develop recommendations for designing and implementing a statewide outdoor place-based education plan for prekindergarten through grade 12 students by January 15, 2017.

Advisory group includes commissioners from the Department of Education and Department of Natural Resources, plus 11 public members appointed by education organizations, legislative leaders, and the governor.

Requires the advisory group to recommend integration strategies for outdoor education across required subject areas, identify optimal grade ranges for implementation, propose assessment instruments, and estimate required resources.

Appropriates $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 to Wilderness Inquiry for a two-year outdoor place-based education program with at least 30 participating school districts, charter schools, or school sites distributed across urban, suburban, and rural regions; evaluation period covers 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years.

Allocates $20,000 in fiscal year 2017 for the advisory group as a one-time appropriation; advisory group expires February 2, 2017, or upon report submission, whichever is earlier.