California § 30012 - The Legislature finds that an educated and informed citizenry is essential to the

§ 30012. The Legislature finds that an educated and informed citizenry is essential to the

(a) The Legislature finds that an educated and informed citizenry is essential to the well-being of a participatory democracy and is necessary to protect California’s finite natural resources, including the quality of its environment. The Legislature further finds that through education, individuals can be made aware of and encouraged to accept their share of the responsibility for protecting and improving the natural environment. (b) (1) The commission shall, to the extent that its resources permit, carry out a public education program that includes outreach efforts to schools, youth organizations, and the general public for the purpose of promoting understanding of, fostering a sense of individual responsibility for, and encouraging public initiatives and participation in programs for, the conservation and wise use of coastal and ocean resources. Emphasis shall be given to volunteer efforts such as the Adopt-A-Beach program. (2) In carrying out this program, the commission shall coordinate with other agencies to avoid duplication and to maximize information sharing. (c) The commission is encouraged to seek funding from any appropriate public or private source and may apply for and expend any grant or endowment funds for the purposes of this section without the need to specifically include funds in its budget. Any funding made available to the commission for these purposes shall be reported to the fiscal committee of each house of the Legislature at the time its budget is being formally reviewed. (d) The commission is encouraged to seek and utilize interns for the purpose of assisting its regular staff in carrying out the purposes of this section and this division and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, may participate in any internship program the executive director determines to be appropriate. With respect to any internship program the commission uses, it shall make the best efforts to ensure that the participants in the program reflect the ethnic diversity of the state and are provided an educational and meaningful experience. (e) The commission shall submit to each house of the Legislature an annual report describing the progress it is making in carrying out this section.