Norristown (PA)Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), announced that $632,897 worth of environmental grant funds were awarded to 63 projects. 50 of these projects involve youth and adults who live and/or work in environmental justice areas. Grants were given to schools, institutions, conservation areas, and environmental and community groups.
These grants are essential for environmental education, said Patrick McDonnell, DEP Secretary. Each project represents an investment in furthering Pennsylvania’s environmental education.
Pat Patterson, DEP Southeast Regional director, said that environmental education can take many forms, including workshops or hands-on activities. These investments in our students will have lasting effects for many years, as approximately one third of the Commonwealth’s population lives in Southeast Pennsylvania.
The Environmental Education Grants ProgramThe Environmental Education Act of 1995 established it. It mandates that five percent of the annual pollution fines and sanctions the DEP collects be used to fund environmental education in Pennsylvania. Since its inception the DEP has granted $12.3 million in environmental education grant funding support to 2,135 projects.
The 2022 program was selected to support the development of innovative projects in formal and non-formal education.
- Priorities of grant programs related to water, climate change, or environmental justice should be addressed
- Provide opportunities for the public to gain a better understanding of Pennsylvania’s environmental problems;
- Learn the skills necessary to make informed decisions
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), awarded $632897 in Environmental Education Grants for 63 projects that addressed environmental justice, climate changes, and water quality.
Grants were granted to schools, institutions, conservation areas, and community organizations. Thirty four local projects were granted mini grants upto $3,000; 28 projects that have a broad or statewide impact received general grants upto $20,000; and one grant, which was intended to engage students and teachers at all levels of the system (local, state, national) was awarded to $65,710. More than 90% of grant funds will be used to support projects that involve youth and adults who live and/or work in the area of Environmental Justice.
Southeast Pennsylvania Projects:
County Awards for Projects
Chester County
- The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County – Two (2) new stations will be installed in the New Leaf Sensory Garden with the help of summer interns. Conduct Pre-school and Summer Camp field experiences, including lessons or activities. ($3,000)
Montgomery County
- The Friends of Briar Bush: Offer a two-part, hands on watershed education program for approximately 180 fourth-grade students to help them understand stormwater management concepts and connect with their school sites. ($2,357)
Philadelphia County
- Awbury Arboretum Association, Inc. : Provides field studies on native wildlife and experiential lessons, with at least one STEM activity, to PreK-5th graders. Teacher surveys will examine the integration of topics and classroom teaching. ($3,000)
- Philadelphia Solar Energy Association – Develop a 6th grade curriculum on solar energy and climate changes that includes lesson plans and teacher trainings. ($18,739)
- Villanova University: Villanova University hosts climate workshops that engage high school students with hands-on STEM activities. Students also have the opportunity to go on field experiences to observe sustainability initiatives implemented by academic institutions. ($19,425)
Multiple Counties Receive Projects
- Discovery Pathways: Up to 20 youth stewards community leaders will be trained from South Philadelphia immigrant or refugee communities. Youth will lead programs in Philadelphia and Bucks counties and develop materials for non English speaking families to encourage them to access local parks, outdoor recreation areas, and other services. ($3,000)
- Lower Merion Conservancy: Develop an interactive program for students in Montgomery and Philadelphia (grades 4-8) that addresses non-point source water pollution, stormwater runoff, and climate change environmental impacts. Instruct small-scale, low-cost Green Stormwater Infrastructure to schools and public lands through environmental clubs. ($20,000)
- Nurture Nature Center: Expand the Watershed-Friendly Property certification and education program, including handouts, outreach kits and promotional materials, to reach large urban properties/institutions. The program will be tested in York, Philadelphia, and Delaware counties to ensure its statewide implementation. ($20,000)
- Pennsylvania Envirothon – Implement a statewide program that encourages high school students to explore environmental issues and gives them tools to create healthy communities through stewardship actions. Teachers and students interact at both the national and county level. Analyze the current program to identify ways to increase teacher and youth engagement in environmental justice areas. ($65,710)
- Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light (2 Projects): Hold seven (7) recorded sessions on climate change education and three (3) celebrations at Philadelphia-area locations. Programs include listening sessions and hands on experiences. ($20,000); and Record seven (7) climate change education sessions, and hold three (3) celebrations at SW PA Urban farm. Programs will include hands-on experiences and listening sessions. ($20,000)
- Pennsylvania Resources Council: Provide eight (8) workshops on stormwater management and watershed protection for residents of Delaware, Beaver, Allegheny and Fayette Counties. Participants will receive a Watershed Wisdom booklet with instructions for setting up, maintaining and using rain barrels. ($18,950)
- Riverbend Environmental Education Center – Hosts a replicable summer Institute (grades 3-5 for teachers from Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia counties) that promotes the MWEE framework. This institute builds teacher capacity to support student learning in multiple disciplines and promotes the MWEE framework. Monthly virtual meetings with participants to plan EE classroom implementation. ($20,000)
- Spirit and Truth Fellowship: A four-season workshop series for residents of Philadelphia and Delaware counties. It teaches home energy efficiency strategies, expands student participation in the vocational education program in solar installation, raises awareness about climate change challenges, and facilitates consensus building to implement climate solutions. ($14,741)
- Stroud water Research Center (two Projects): Create innovative touch tanks for macroinvertebrate programs for Chester county students, families, the public ($3,000); Implement a collaboration model to establish six (6) outdoor spaces for watershed education in Chester and Lancaster involving students and K-12 teachers. ($20,000)
- The Pennsylvania State University offers a 5-day residential camp for students (grades 9-12), from Chester, Huntingdon and Centre counties. The program focuses on local water quality issues and climate change. ($5,500)
- The Pennsylvania State University: This program hosts a 20-hour Environmental Stewardship Course that will train 16 people in Blair, Chester and Lackawanna counties. Participants will train 80 additional people, lead workshops, implement group projects, and provide leadership. ($19,525)
CONTACT MEDIA: Virginia Nurk, [email protected], 484-250-5808
###
