President's Environmental Youth Award Nominations Due

Applications for the 2009 President’s Environmental Youth Awards are now being accepted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mid-Atlantic States in Philadelphia, Pa.

Applications must be received or postmarked by December 31.

Since 1971, EPA has sponsored the President's Environmental Youth Awards. The program promotes awareness of our nation’s natural resources and encourages positive community involvement, while recognizing students across America and U.S. for projects that demonstrate their commitment to protecting our air, water, land, and environment.

Young people in all 50 states and the U.S. territories are invited to participate in the program. Each year the PEYA program honors a wide variety of environmental projects developed by young individuals, school classes (kindergarten through high school), summer camps, public interest groups, scout groups, churches, and youth organizations which promote environmental awareness and stewardship.

Past projects have included tree planting, building nature trails and preserves, scientific research, protecting endangered species, starting recycling programs, restoring native habitats, creating schoolyard habitats, and other creative, sustainable efforts including; student created videos, skits, and newsletters that focus on environmental issues.

Your project – or one you are sponsoring – could be an award winner. Encourage one or more students you know to apply for a PEYA and see what a difference they can make for the environment with an award-winning project.

The Mid-Atlantic regional award winner will receive a plaque and a trip to an EPA-sponsored award ceremony in Washington, D.C.

All student participants, from each project application, will receive a certificate signed by the President honoring them for their efforts to protect human health and the environment.