HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Environmental
Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty today announced the opening of the
2006 Environmental Education Grants Program to help schools, universities,
nonprofit organizations and county conservation districts develop projects to
increase environmental literacy among Pennsylvania's students.
"With Pennsylvania's strong commitment to the environment, it makes sense
that our children are learning about these important issues," McGinty said.
"Engaging children and teenagers in environmental issues makes sure that
Pennsylvania has a future generation of concerned citizens and leaders who
will work to keep our state healthy and clean."
Environmental education grants range from $1,500 to $20,000 and address
specific topics identified as gaps by the environmental education community.
The timely and critically important topics include: renewable energy
sources such as solar, wind, biomass and geothermal, and alternative energy
technologies such as biofuels, air quality issues with a focus on ground-level
ozone, transportation, watersheds and wetlands, acid mine drainage, nonpoint
source pollution and water conservation.
The Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology and Science and
Technology are the focus for kindergarten through 12th grade education grants.
The state-mandated standards provide a roadmap for what students must know
about the environment by the end of 4th, 7th, 10th and 12th grades. Schools
may apply for money to integrate the academic standards into formal curriculum
or to provide lessons and field experiences that include standards-based
instruction.
Conservation and educational organizations, colleges and universities may
apply to do professional development workshops in the field of environmental
education.
County conservation districts may apply to assist with environmental
education efforts that relate to their missions. The districts also may apply
on the mini-grant track to provide educational resources that can be made
available to educators by conservation districts.
"Governor Rendell understands the need to support projects that provide
our youngsters with the tools and information they need to protect
Pennsylvania's natural resources," McGinty said. "These grants will help
schools and organizations meet those needs."
To request an application manual, write to the DEP Environmental Education
Grants Program, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063; or call 717-772-
1828. The deadline to submit applications is December 17, 2005.
For more information or to download an application, visit DEP's Web site
at http://www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: "EE Grants."
CONTACT: Ana Gomez, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,
+1-717-787-1323.
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