Pennsylvania DEP to Begin Accepting Applications for 2015 Environmental Education Grants Oct. 6

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today invited schools, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations, municipalities and businesses to apply for Environmental Education Grants to develop environmental education programs and projects. The application period will begin Monday, Oct. 6.

The grants provide funding to develop programs and projects that support environmental education about issues including:

• Watersheds: abandoned mine drainage, non-point source pollution and water conservation
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education: reducing non-point source pollution, such as nutrient and sediment loads and meaningful educational watershed experiences for students
• Air Quality: ground level ozone, transportation and electric generation issues
• Brownfields: education and outreach programs in brownfield redevelopment and sustainable communities, along with developing green, open spaces
• Energy: educational programs on energy efficiency and conservation, as well as, natural gas, coal, wind, solar and other energy sources and technologies
• Environmental Literacy: engage educators and stakeholders in content standards and field-based environmental education 
• Environmental Education Certification: develop and implement institutionalized and community-based certification programs designed for teachers, naturalists and educators working in schools and environmental education facilities

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, teacher professional development; curriculum integration; outdoor learning resources, such as trails, shelters, streamside plantings and educational programming; transportation to field study sites; water chemistry testing equipment; and educational events. Grants are awarded for up to $3,000. 

In April, DEP awarded 111 grants totaling more than $309,000 to groups in support of environmental education programs across the state.  Since the program's inception, DEP has awarded more than $9.6 million in grants.

The program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993 and mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by DEP be set aside for environmental education.

Applications are available online at www.dep.state.pa.us, or by contacting DEP's Environmental Education and Information Center at 717-772-1828 or [email protected]. The deadline to apply is Dec. 19.

Media contact: Morgan Wagner, 717-787-1323

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

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