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News Releases from Region 02

EPA Grant to Syracuse University

Project Educates Local Teachers and Students About the Traditions and Future of the Onondaga Lake Watershed

06/02/2016
Contact Information: 
Jennifer May-Reddy (may.jennifer@epa.gov)
212-637-3658
Mary Mears (mears.mary@epa.gov)
212-637-3673

(New York, N.Y. – June 2, 2016) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $91,000 environmental education grant to Syracuse University for an education outreach project focused on Onondaga Lake. The project will include both traditional customs in partnership with the Onondaga Nation and science to educate Central New York teachers about species and landscapes native to the Onondaga Lake watershed.

“Syracuse University is combining traditional Native American customs and scientific advancement in a unique way,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “The teachers involved in this project will educate hundreds of local Syracuse students about the past, present and future of the Onondaga Lake watershed.”

Through this project, Syracuse University is developing educational materials and tools that allow students of various ages to explore and learn about the watershed. Weaved into the curriculum materials is the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, which is an expression of Haudenosaunee perspectives. As part of the grant project, a summer workshop will be held for Central New York teachers.

Syracuse University was one of three recipients to receive the 2015 round of environmental education grants from EPA Region 2, which is responsible for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight Indian Nations.  A total of $222,000 was awarded in EPA Region 2 for the three grants and funding nationwide for this round of grants totaled more than $3.3 million. Nationally, EPA funded 35 grants from organizations in 26 states for the 2015 Environmental Education Grants.

Since 1992, EPA has distributed approximately $68 million supporting more than 3,600 projects. This competitive grants program supports environmental education projects that increase public awareness about environmental issues and provide participants with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment.  

For more information on the new awardees and on how to apply for future environmental education grant competitions, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/education/environmental-education-ee-grants.

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