Rendell Administration Announces Environmental Education Grants

July 29, 2005

Press Release Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Rendell Administration Announces Environmental Education Grants Worth $369,686; Will Fund Programs to Increase Environmental Literacy for Youth and Adults

LEESPORT, Pa., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of Gov. Edward G. Rendell, Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty today announced 72 grants totaling $369,686 to create and develop projects to help increase environmental literacy among Pennsylvanians.

"An engaged public is one of our most powerful tools in efforts to protect our air, land and water resources," McGinty said. "These grants will help to fund projects that will raise environmental awareness among the residents of Pennsylvania by enabling all of us to better appreciate our environment and work to preserve it."

The grants were awarded to schools, universities, nonprofit organizations and county conservation districts to create and develop projects that will help increase environmental literacy among Pennsylvanians. The projects range from creative, hands-on lessons for students-to-teacher training programs to ecological education for adults. Topics include watersheds, wetlands, Pennsylvania's ecosystems, and renewable and nonrenewable resources.

McGinty made the announcement during a visit to the Berks County Conservation District, which was awarded an $18,503 grant to develop environmental education programming and resources for Berks County schools.

The conservation district offers a wide range environmental education programs to Berks County residents, including Senior and Junior High Envirothons, Don Hartman Conservation Leadership School, Youth Scholarship Program, and Soil and Water Stewardship Week. The conservation district also provides environmental education resources to students, teachers and residents.

The grant program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates setting aside 5 percent of the pollution fines and penalties collected annually by DEP for environmental education in Pennsylvania.

Since the inception of the environmental education grant program, DEP has awarded more than $3 million in grants to support the environmental education efforts of schools, county conservation districts and other nonprofit organizations throughout Pennsylvania.

For more information on environmental education, visit the department's Web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: "DEP EE Grants."