MEDIA CONTACT: Thomas Decker, thomadecke@pa.gov
Meadville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today awarded a little over $1 million in Environmental Education Grant funding to 73 projects statewide, including 11 projects in the northwest region.
"The Shapiro Administration is committed to delivering practical solutions to the environmental and safety issues our communities face from climate change and water pollution," said DEP Acting Secretary Rich Negrin. "Pennsylvania's environmental educators help provide these solutions. Through impactful work in the field, classroom, and neighborhood, they engage Pennsylvanians of all ages and backgrounds in projects that can have immediate local impacts and spark lasting environmental stewardship."
The Environmental Education Grant program prioritizes projects that engage youth or adults who live, work, or attend school in Environmental Justice areas. It also prioritizes projects that educate participants to develop practical solutions and take action to help their communities become more climate change resilient or reduce water pollution to improve local water quality.
"Fully 83 percent of this grant funding supports educational projects that will benefit Environmental Justice communities, as we continue to expand our work to help Pennsylvanians most at risk from pollution, climate change related hazards, and other environmental impacts," said Negrin.
Funding was awarded to schools and colleges, environmental and community organizations, and county conservation districts for a range of hands-on programs for students, community projects for adults, teacher training workshops, and more.
Ranging from a firefly study to a water treatment facility field trip, 11 projects in northwest counties received a total of $81,851.
Armstrong
- Armstrong Center for Community Learning: $6,439 to host two workshops for residents. In Energy and Water Conservation, participants will learn how water and energy conservation can help reduce greenhouse emissions while lowering utility bills. In Celebrate the Trees, participants will focus on improving air, water quality, and human health while supporting wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
Butler
- Butler Area School District: $5,000 to deliver teacher trainings that emphasize hands-on outdoor learning at the Connoquenessing Outdoor Appreciation campus, including use of a nature trail equipped with webcams.
Erie
- Asbury Woods: $4,999 to provide about 500 fifth graders from public, private, and home schools the opportunity to participate in hands-on water use conservation activities led by professionals.
- Regional Science Consortium: $30,000 to work with the Iroquois School District to establish an outdoor classroom including seven learning stations on water quality and climate change.
- Goodell Project, Inc.: $4,921 to establish an edible demonstration garden and host nature-based field studies for children. Partnering with the Erie Farm-to-School Program, students will help install a garden while learning about innovative strategies for growing food in urban areas.
Forest
- Forest Area School District: $3,882 to enable environmental science and chemistry students to participate in hands-on experiments to evaluate multiple indicators of a healthy water system. Students will visit a water treatment facility, research government roles related to water quantity and quality, and research local and state career opportunities.
- Pennsylvania Firefly Festival: $4,475 to host a three-day interactive STEAM program for grades K-6 focusing on Pennsylvania's state insect, the firefly. Students will explore firefly biology, bioluminescence, synchronicity, and environmental concerns, as well as actions they and their families can take, such as habitat conservation, reduced pesticide use, and land/water protection. Families will be invited to an exclusive viewing of the fireflies at a June 2024 event.
Indiana
- Indiana County Conservation District: $8,955 to incorporate environmental education principles into public outreach efforts. The initiative will incorporate current and relevant climate change and water quality information, hands-on materials, engaging activities, age-appropriate lessons, and in-person workshops.
Jefferson
- Jefferson County Conservation District: $4,795 to hold a three-day outdoor camp for women and girls to increase knowledge about the environment, climate change, and sustainability.
Mercer
- Mercer County Conservation District: $3,385 to conduct a three-week camp for middle school students, including outdoor activities that address climate change and water quality issues and education on science and/or environmentally themed careers.
McKean
- Pennsylvania State University: $5,000 to provide interactive hands-on programming for K-12 students. Topics including climate, habitats (including waterways), and Pennsylvania's threatened wildlife will be explored through discussions, stories, games, show and tell, and other activities. Lessons will incorporate state education standards and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience framework.
The Environmental Education Grants Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates setting aside 5 percent of the pollution fines and penalties DEP collects annually for environmental education in Pennsylvania. To date, DEP has awarded $13.3 million in Environmental Education Grant funding to support 2,199 projects.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, please visit the website or follow DEP on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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