The Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026
The Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026
AB 2158 (Hoover, Lowenthal)
AB 2158 (Hoover, Lowenthal)
Last updated: 5-27-2026
Last updated: 5-27-2026
Embedded Files
📣 Action Needed: AB 2158 will be heard next by the Senate Education Committee, as soon as 6/10. Please sign on in support!
The California Campaign for Outdoor Learning is advancing legislation in 2026
Latest News
AB 2158 passed the Assembly Floor on May 27, 2026 with a unanimous 61-0 vote!
AB 2158 passed off of the Assembly Appropriations Committee Suspense File on May 14, 2026 with unanimous support from members in both parties! At the May 6 Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing, AB 2158 was added to the Suspense File, a standard practice for bills with future expenses, such as pilot programs.
AB 2158 passed the Assembly Education Committee on April 8, 2026 with a unanimous and enthusiastic 9-0 vote!
The bill now heads to the Senate Education Committee, where it will be heard as soon as June 10. We need to show strong support ahead of the next hearing. Please sign the letter of support to be included as an official supporter!
The more organizations we rally, the stronger our message will be to legislators!
You can easily join the coalition and sign up for updates while completing the sign-on form, too! Here’s what it means to be a coalition member.
Be sure to verify that your organization approves support of this legislation. The letter of support will be updated periodically to showcase all signatories and their logos.
Legislative committees have become stricter about requiring e-signatures from all coalition letter signers. If you or your organization signed on before March 24, please upload an e-signature file here to be officially listed as a supporter.
You can check if you or your organization has provided an e-signature by searching for your organization on the letter of support.
What's Happening?
What's Happening?
Ten Strands, on behalf of the coalition that supports the California Campaign for Outdoor Learning, is sponsoring 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 is 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, current conditions ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial and State Superintendent of Public Instruction elections have created a timely opportunity to advance this work now!
What the Bill Does
What the Bill Does
The Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026 would:
The Outdoor Learning and Environmental Literacy Act of 2026 would:
Recognize outdoor learning as an effective, developmentally appropriate instructional method that improves academic achievement, mental and physical health, and student engagement
Provide statewide guidance for safe, equitable implementation, while preserving local flexibility
Support 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
Establish a three-year Statewide Outdoor Learning Pilot Program (following a future appropriation of funds) across six sites in Northern, Southern, and Central California to demonstrate impact and inform future policy
Ensure 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
Key Resources
Key Resources
Why Now?
Why Now?
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.
2026 Legislative Timeline
2026 Legislative Timeline
Timeline Details
Timeline Details
January 2026: Coalition outreach to identify legislative authors
February 2026: Bill introduced by Asm. Hoover (AB 2185)
February–March 2026: Stakeholder outreach, committee staff introductions, and support letter collection begins
Spring 2026: Assembly Education Committee and Appropriations Committee hearings
Summer 2026: Senate committee hearings and floor votes
Fall 2026: Governor’s signature (target)
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."
How You Can Help
How You Can Help
Our coalition’s strength is our collective voice. Here’s how you and your organization can support this effort:
Our coalition’s strength is our collective voice. Here’s how you and your organization can support this effort:
Sign your organization on in support of AB 2158. Supporters of outdoor learning are encouraged to sign the letter of support and share with their networks. You may also join the coalition and receive updates through the same form. Please confirm organizational approval before signing.
Legislative committees have become stricter about requiring e-signatures from all coalition letter signers. If you or your organization signed on before March 24, please upload an e-signature file here to be officially listed as a supporter for future hearings.
You can check if you or your organization has provided an e-signature by searching for your organization on the letter of support.
Connect us with legislators. If you have a relationship with your local Assemblymember or Senator, we’d love your help making introductions and getting their support as all legislators will vote on the bill as it moves through the process. Contact Karen Cowe at kcowe@tenstrands.org and Craig Strang at cstrang@berkeley.edu.
Spread the word. Share this page with your network. We need as many Coalition members as possible!
Ten Strands’ Legislative Efforts
Ten Strands is 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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