A few clouds. Low 58F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..
A few clouds. Low 58F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Updated: May 24, 2024 @ 6:51 pm
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is awarding $980,256 in Environmental Education Grants to 56 projects that will promote environmental education and stewardship across Pennsylvania. Nearly all of the projects will support people in environmental justice communities, communities composed of Pennsylvanians that are more threatened by climate change, air pollution and water pollution.
Locally, the Jefferson County Conservation District was awarded $4,144 for “Backwoods Chicks Outdoor Camp 2024” to host a three-day camp designed for women and young girls. Through demonstrations and a variety of activities participants will experience the outdoors while exploring climate change issues and sustainability practices, according to the DEP press release.
“These projects help connect people to the ways we can protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, and many of them encourage learning at any age whether you’re a kid or an adult,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Nearly every grant we are awarding will support people in environmental justice communities to improve educational opportunities and people’s connections to their environment.”
The DEP Environmental Education Grants program prioritizes proposals that engage youth or adults who live, work, or attend school in environmental justice areas. Funding for 48 projects (97 percent) support educational activities that will benefit people living in environmental justice areas.
The 2024 funded projects will deliver a wide range of environmental learning opportunities including providing youth with unique immersive field experiences, engaging community residents in practical climate mitigation projects, supporting school districts’ efforts to develop new STEELS standards-based curriculum, and many more.
Meaningful environmental education programs provide opportunities for participants to make informed decisions leading to actions that result in sustainable communities and a healthy environment.
Environmental Education grant applicants include schools and colleges, environmental and community-based organizations, county conservation districts, and eligible businesses. Applications for the 2025 Environmental Education Grants Program will likely open in August 2024 with an application deadline of mid-November 2024.
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 more than $14 million in Environmental Education Grant funding to support more than 2,200 projects.
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