An Act To Expand The Department Of Inland Fisheries And Wildlife Outdoor Education Programs To Schools And Communities

LD 1532 expands Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) outdoor education programs to reach more students and communities. The bill allows DIFW to partner with schools and third-party locations (like community centers) to offer programs that count toward secondary school curriculum requirements. By January 2026, DIFW must secure at least three geographically diverse locations statewide and collaborate with the Department of Education to develop curriculum for these programs. Participating schools can host programs on-site or at partner locations, and the program is open to public school students, homeschoolers, and the general public. DIFW must report on program locations and effectiveness to the legislature by November 2026.