Gov. Tom Corbett Monday announced he is awarding $334,074 in environmental education grants to 92 schools, universities, non-profit organizations and conservation districts across Pennsylvania.

“Education is the basis for fact-based environmental protection,” Gov. Corbett said. “On Earth Day and every day, I am pleased to support efforts aimed at increasing environmental awareness and protection through learning.”

Grant recipients will use the funding for various initiatives, including farm field days, summer camps, exploratory learning activities, professional development, soil testing exercises and explanatory signage along watersheds.

Through these initiatives, students, teachers, farmers and others will learn about a variety of environmental issues ranging from rain barrels, stormwater management and hydroponics in agriculture, to Marcellus Shale and the Chesapeake Bay, among other topics.

The grant program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates setting aside five percent of the pollution fines and penalties the Department of Environmental Protection collects annually for environmental education in Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit DEP’s Environmental Education webpage or call 717-772-1828.

Click Here for a list of grants awarded.

4/29/2013