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New Mexico Groups Win EPA Awards for Environmental Projects

Release Date: 6/30/1999
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     Three groups in New Mexico will receive Environmental Education Grants totaling $21,700  from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The selected projects target school children while increasing environmental awareness throughout their communities.

     "The creativity, enthusiasm and commitment of volunteers will help ensure that our environment is protected for future generations. These projects are powerful examples of what can be accomplished when concerned individuals work together to improve their neighborhoods and communities. Students involved in these projects are shining reminders of the many youth who regularly perform meaningful volunteer activities in neighborhoods throughout our country," Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

     Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge will receive $10,340 for its Conservation Through the Arts. The refuge will develop and present an interactive study unit which will complement and enrich existing course work. A variety of classroom and field activities will emphasize the importance of wetlands and key wetlands protection practices. Activities will include art workshops and science experiments performed during fields trips to the refuge.

     A unique program created by the Border Environmental Health Coalition will receive $6,360. Community-Based Solutions to Illegal Dumping will encourage middle school students to develop research and presentation skills as they document illegal dumping in the area and present their findings to parents and other residents. These community members will then present the results to county government officials. In addition to highlighting and seeking solutions to problems created by illegal dumping in the community, the project will create a model for citizens to define and solve other local environmental problems.

     The Earth Day Coalition of New Mexico will receive $5,000 to expand its educational program into rural communities throughout the state. A speakers bureau for classroom presentations, field trips, local environmental projects and public events such as environmental fairs will target 1,000 high school students in rural districts.

     This year Region 6 received nearly 75 entries from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Fifteen groups were selected to receive nearly $150,000 in Environmental Education grants.

     Since 1992, EPA has received between $2 and $3 million in grant funding per year and  has awarded about 1,700 grants nationwide. More information about Environmental Education Grants and information on applying for grants to be awarded in 2000 is available on EPA's web site at https://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html or by calling the Region 6 coordinator at (214) 665-2204 or at 1-800-887-6063.