Gov. Tom Corbett Tuesday announced he is awarding $309,626 in environmental education grants to 111 schools, universities, non-profit organizations and conservation districts across Pennsylvania.

“Each year, these grants are awarded to deserving organizations to educate Pennsylvanians about important environmental issues,” Corbett said. “Their work plays in integral role in the preservation and enhancement of Pennsylvania’s air, land and water.”

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

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

“These projects will use proven best management practices to educate Pennsylvanians about their environment,” Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo said. “Funding environmental education initiatives is an important part of fulfilling DEP’s mission.”

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

A list of grants awarded is available online.

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

NewsClip: Environmental Ed Grants Go To 5 NE PA Groups

4/28/2014