Schweiker Administration Announces $333,000 In Environmental Education Grants.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- On behalf of Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker, Department of Environmental Resources (DEP) Secretary David E. Hess today announced environmental education grants for 76 schools, universities, conservation districts and organizations. The awards, totaling nearly $333,000, will be used to promote environmental awareness and stewardship across the Commonwealth.

"Education is such an important factor in helping people develop a true appreciation for our environment and what it takes to preserve it," Sec. Hess said. "I know that this is money well spent in helping to protect Pennsylvania's environment in the years to come, and I'm confident the groups receiving these funds appreciate the role we've entrusted to them."

Including these grants, DEP has awarded more than $2.5 million in support of environmental education since 1995. Money for the grants comes from five percent of the fines and penalties collected by DEP for environmental violations.

The Environmental Education Grant Program (EEGP) has been refined for the 2002 round to focus on environmental education needs that were identified in recent studies. These needs are addressed in 10 different areas:

 
  -- Integration of academic environment and ecology standards for 
     kindergarten through 12. 
  -- A school special program that uses the environment as an integrated 
     context. 
  -- School mini-grants for equipment, resources and transportation. 
  -- A curriculum to study environmental laws and regulations. 
  -- A pre-service teacher preparation course. 
  -- A program for universities to apply for a grant in tandem with a 
     school district. 
  -- A teacher in-service program for middle and high school teachers to 
     prepare lessons on non-point source water pollution, air pollution, 
     biodiversity, hazardous waste, integrated pest management, agriculture 
     education and electric generating issues. 
  -- An open teacher in-service program. 
  -- A program for County Conservation Districts to do general 
     environmental education. 
  -- Two mini-grants for conservation organizations and County Conservation 
     Districts. 

Applications for the 2003 EEGP round will be available on May 15. For more information about the program, contact the Environmental Education and Information Center at (717) 772-1828; or visit the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, DEP directly at www.dep.state.pa.us (directLINK "EE Grants"), or via e-mail at stitel@state.pa.us (please provide name, address and organization).

 
  EDITOR'S NOTE:  The complete list of grants follows. 
  ADAMS COUNTY 
  Adams County Conservation District -- $7,293 to organize an environmental 
  challenge program (building upon the PA "Envirothon" model) for 7th grade 
  teachers and students. 
  ALLEGHENY COUNTY 
  Pittsburgh Voyager -- $1,000 to support teacher training…