Pittsburgh, PA The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today a total of $632,897 in environmental grant funds have been awarded to 63 projects, 50 of which engage youth and adults living or working within environmental justice areas. Grants were given to schools, institutions and conservation districts as well as environmental and community groups.
These grants are essential for environmental education, according to Patrick McDonnell (DEP Secretary). This year’s Earth Day theme is Invest In Our Planet. Each project represents an investment in furthering Pennsylvanian environmental education.
The 2022 program selected applications to develop innovative formal and informal education projects.
Priorities for grant programs in water, climate, and/or environmental justice must be addressed
Offer opportunities to increase public understanding of Pennsylvania’s environmental issues.
Learn the skills necessary to make informed decisions
Jim Miller, DEP Southwest Regional Director, stated that DEP’s investment in environmental education provides organizations the resources to foster environmental stewardship for the next generation.
Grants were given to schools, institutions and conservation districts as well as environmental and community groups. Thirty four local projects received mini grants upto $3,000; 28 projects that have a broad or statewide impact received general grants upto $20,000; one project, which was designed to engage students at the local, state and national levels, was awarded a grant of $65,710. More than 90% will go to projects that engage youth or adults working in the area of environmental justice.
Projects in the southwest Pennsylvania region by County
Allegheny
Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation Garfield Native Gardens. Host workshops and training programs for green-industry professionals. Participants and volunteers will plant a demonstration native plant habitat. ($3,000)
Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light: Care for Creation with SW PAIPL consists of seven recorded climate education sessions and three celebrations at two southwestern Pennsylvania farms. The programs will include listening sessions as well as hands-on introductions into urban farming. They will cover topics such as climate change, water and waste conservation and organic planting, native tree and shrub plantings, and healthy consuming. ($20,000)
Venture Outdoors Exploring Our Waterways With Pittsburgh Youth: Involve 50-60 City of Pittsburgh elementary school students in water quality and field studies. ($8,380)
Fayette
Mountain Watershed Association Water Guardians Environmental Youth Club: Offers afterschool programs for 4th and fifth graders. Students will be exposed to eco-related careers and will explore environmental issues through field and classroom experiences. ($18,600)
Washington
California Area School Districts Success Relies On Sustainable Schools: Use a multi-tiered system to coordinate district programs to create green, sustainable K-12 schools that reduce food waste, water consumption, conserve energy, increase recycling, and introduce environmentally friendly transportation. ($20,000)
Westmoreland
Brandywine Conservancy PA Master Naturalist: Train Pennsylvania Master Naturalist leaders, including 30 hours of service to conservation organizations, schools, and municipalities. ($3,000)
Regional
Group Against Smog & Pollution – Clearing the air: Air Quality Education for Public Officials & Staff: Create an air quality primer and host nine workshops in Allegheny County for elected leaders and staff. ($19,922)
Jacobs Creek Watershed Association MacroMonday: Four quarterly MacroMonday events are held in Westmoreland, Fayette and Fayette counties. They allow pre-K-12 students and their guardians to participate in stream activities and learn about macroinvertebrates as well as water quality. ($2,989)
Pennsylvania Resources Council: Watershed Education and Rain Barrel Workshop Program offer eight watershed education and rain barrel workshops to residents in southeastern and southern Pennsylvania counties (Delaware and Allegheny), Beaver and Fayette. These workshops teach participants about stormwater management and protection. Participants will be provided with a PRCs Watershed Wisdom book and a 55 gallon rain barrel, along with instructions for setting-up, using, maintaining, and dismantling. ($18,950)
All across the state
Pennsylvania Envirothon 2023 Pennsylvania Environmentthon: This project encourages high school students to explore environmental issues and gives them tools to create healthy communities through stewardship actions. Teachers and students interact at all levels, including the state, county, and national. Analyze the current program to identify ways to increase teacher and youth engagement in environmental justice areas. ($65,710)
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