News Releases from Region 10

EPA environmental education grants help students and teachers protect local watersheds in Idaho, Oregon and Washington

Seattle – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded environmental education grants to Wilderness Science Education in McCall Idaho, Western Oregon University, McKenzie Watershed Alliance in Lane County, Oregon, and Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group in Belfair, Washington. The grant-funded projects support partnerships among schools and universities, state and federal agencies, watershed councils, private landowners and public utilities.

EPA environmental education grants were awarded to:

Wilderness Science Education non-profit in McCall, Idaho, received $91,000, to develop a Central Idaho Rural Environmental Stewardship Team. The project will educate and train up to 550 teachers and students using restoration projects in schools and in range and forest locations on private and public lands. Teachers and students at six rural schools will work on local watershed education projects such as collection and analysis of water quality and wildlife habitat data, and monitoring stream habitats.

Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon, received $91,000, to expand the salmon life cycle curriculum, ‘Fish Eggs to Fry’, into a professional workshop for elementary school educators, exploring connections among the salmon life cycle, healthy fish, and healthy watersheds. In partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, up to 50 third grade teachers and up to eight partner schools will use this revised curriculum inside and outside the classroom.  

McKenzie Watershed Alliance in Lane County, Oregon, received $63,840, to help students understand local ecosystems, learn about actions taking place to protect local watersheds, and increase their participation in activities that enhance and conserve local watersheds. Up to 130 secondary students from six rural and urban schools will participate in watershed stewardship and monitoring projects to protect fish and wildlife habitats and water quality. These projects will be coordinated through partnerships with state and federal agencies, watershed councils and private landowners.

Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group in Belfair, Washington, received $91,000 to engage low-income and tribal students in watershed restoration through hands-on learning in the classroom, at summer camp and in after-school programs. Students will be engaged in programs like Salmon in the Classroom, Enviro Camp, Green STREAM Camp, and Students in the Watershed curriculum and outdoor environmental education. The project will help provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to protect their environment and the Hood Canal watershed.

More information on EPA’s environmental education grants program: http://www2.epa.gov/education/environmental-education-ee-grants.