The Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026
The Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026
AB 2158 (Hoover, Lowenthal, 2026)
AB 2158 (Hoover, Lowenthal, 2026)
Embedded Files
The California Campaign for Outdoor Learning advanced legislation in 2026
The result:
Assembly Bill 2158, the Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026, was held in suspense by the Senate Appropriations Committee, meaning the bill will not move forward and cannot be revived in its current form. We are now coming together as a leadership team and coalition to decide what comes next. Read the full update from our CEO, Karen Cowe, for further details.
We are proud of the bill's significant momentum. We thank all supporters of the bill, including:
We are proud of the bill's significant momentum. We thank all supporters of the bill, including:
Our funders
The 10 bipartisan, bicameral coauthors
Members of the legislature, who gave the bill unanimous support in the Assembly and the Senate Education Committee, with "AYE" votes from both parties and no opposition
726 organizations and individuals who signed the letter of support
Constituents who sent emails to over half of the Assemblymembers before AB 2158 was presented on the assembly floor using the AB 2158 Action Tool
Coalition members who connected us with key legislators
The Ten Strands team whose hard work and dedication carried this bill so far
2026 Legislative Timeline
2026 Legislative Timeline
Legislative Calendar Timeline Details
Legislative Calendar Timeline Details
What's Happened
☑9-0 vote in Assembly Education Committee on 4/8/26
☑15-0 vote in Assembly Appropriations on 5/14/26
At the May 6 Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing, AB 2158 was added to the Suspense File, a standard practice for bills with future appropriations, which AB 2158 had at this point.
☑77-0 on the Assembly Floor on 5/27/26
☑7-0 Senate Education Committee Hearing - 7/1/26
AB 2158 passed on consent, meaning all committee members, from both parties, approved the bill and the bill did not need to be heard!
☐Senate Appropriations Committee - 8/13/26
AB 2158 was held in suspense and did not advance
What the Bill Would Have Done
What the Bill Would Have Done
The Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026 would have:
The Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026 would have:
Recognized outdoor learning as an effective, developmentally appropriate instructional method that improves academic achievement, mental and physical health, and student engagement
Provided statewide guidance for safe, equitable implementation, while preserving local flexibility
Supported local planning, professional learning, transportation, instructional materials, residential outdoor schools, partnerships with community based organizations, and alignment of outdoor learning with existing frameworks like Local Control Accountability Plans, Expanded Learning, Community Schools, and high school redesign
Ensured equitable access to outdoor learning programming for unduplicated pupils (English learners, foster youth, and those receiving free/reduced-price meals), pupils with disabilities, and pupils from historically underserved communities
The bill originally included a proposed three-year statewide pilot program, contingent on a future appropriation. We were advised to remove the pilot to avoid veto risk associated with "upon appropriation" language, and chose to do so rather than risk losing the whole bill and its other important components. The coalition intended to pursue the pilot through the budget process in a future cycle. See all amendments here.
Key Resources
Key Resources
In chronological order
In chronological order
Why Did We Pursue Legislation Now?
Why Did We Pursue Legislation Now?
Ten Strands, on behalf of the coalition that supports the California Campaign for Outdoor Learning, sponsored the Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026 (Assembly Bill 2158), authored by Asm. Josh Hoover (R) and co-authored with others (see below). This advocacy was the culmination of three years of coalition-building, research, and meaningful conversations by 100+ organizations across California.
While the Campaign initially planned to pursue legislation in 2027–28, conditions ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial and State Superintendent of Public Instruction elections created a timely opportunity to advance this work early!
California’s students face intersecting challenges: chronic absenteeism, a youth mental and physical health crisis, rising screen time, and growing disconnection from the natural world. At the same time, the state confronts the urgent need to build climate resilience, improve environmental literacy, and prepare students for careers in the growing green and blue economies.
Research consistently shows that outdoor learning addresses these challenges. Students who learn outdoors show improved attendance, higher engagement, better attention and concentration, stronger academic performance, and better mental and physical health. These benefits are greatest for students furthest from opportunity—those in low-income communities and communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.
Despite strong evidence and growing demand, California lacks statewide guidance for outdoor learning. Districts want to expand this work but need clarity on safety, equity, best practices, and partnerships. This legislation fills that gap.
Authors
Authors
"In today's digital landscape, data overwhelmingly shows that screen time has a direct impact on our kids' mental health. Smartphones and social media use have been shown to create distractions, contribute to depression and anxiety, increase cyberbullying, and lead to lower academic outcomes," Assemblyman Hoover said. "It's become clear that we need to provide students with distraction free learning environments and create more outdoor learning opportunities to support their mental health and help them improve social connection with their peers."
Background Details
Background Details
A statewide coalition leads the advocacy Campaign to expand outdoor learning during the school day for all California students, beginning with those most vulnerable. Led by Ten Strands, a nonprofit focused on environmental literacy in California's TK-12 public schools, and a coalition of dozens of education, health, and environmental organizations and experts, the Campaign envisions a California where TK-12 students spend 20-25% of their school hours (inclusive of expanded learning time) actively and joyfully engaged with the outdoors and nature to improve their physical and mental health, academic achievement, relationships with others, and the health of their communities.
Since 2024, the Campaign has convened 100+ experts and leaders in physical and mental health, social and emotional learning, language development, equity and justice, public health, and science, as well as outdoor and environmental education, across three convenings. Together, we have developed research agendas, shaped policy strategies, and built a growing coalition committed to ensuring that learning outdoors becomes a substantial part of every student's school experience. Learn more here.
Ten Strands’ 2026 Legislative Efforts
Ten Strands’ 2026 Legislative Efforts
Ten Strands engaged in several complementary advocacy efforts this legislative session to advance environmental literacy in California’s TK-12 schools. For more information on all these initiatives, please visit their Advocacy webpage. For an opportunity to sign on to support these other efforts, join the Ten Strands mailing list by completing the form at the bottom of the Ten Strands homepage.
Stay informed: Join our contact list to receive updates and requests for letters of support for this legislation
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