News Release

EPA Awards Grants for Environmental Learning, Looks for New Projects

September 29, 2004


Children settling into the first month of the new school year can look forward to benefiting from over $180,000 in federal funds to support their study of the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Office announced the award of 16 Environmental Education Grants today distributed throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

The grants were awarded to local organizations, government agencies, schools and universities whose projects strive to increase people’s knowledge and awareness about the environment and its associated challenges. The grant recipients are as follows:

Alaska

Alaska Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Assn - $10,530
Calypso Farm & Ecology Center - $20,000

Friends of Teton River - $6,200

Polk Soil and Water Conservation District - $4,110
Portland State University - $6,284
Willamette Resources & Educational Network (WREN) - $24,992

Bryant Elementary School PTA - $5,000
Dayton School District #2 - $3,200
East Valley School District #361 - $4,453
Franklin Conservation District - $22,645
National Wildlife Federation - $23, 485
Olympic Park Institute - $5,000
Port Townsend Marine Science Society - $13,735
Rainshadow Natural Science Foundation - $4,900
Wenatchee School District #246 - $10,146

Center for Agricultural Partnerships - $23,500
(For project in Washington)

“Educators have a tough job meeting state learning standards while providing well rounded curriculum,” said Ron Kreizenbeck, Acting Regional Administrator for the EPA. “Many of these projects give teachers the skills to develop children’s critical thinking skills around environmental issues while still meeting state education standards.”

EPA is currently soliciting grant applications for the coming year. Eligible organizations including schools, not-for-profit organizations, state and local government agencies, and tribal education agencies are encouraged to submit their applications by November 15th. The annual EPA grants program gives financial support to projects that increase the public’s awareness and knowledge about the environment, and provide skills to make informed decisions and take responsible action.

Application information is available on the EPA website: www.epa.gov/region10 or by calling 1-800-424-4372.

Environmental Education Grants
Grants awarded in 2004