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Massachusetts Organizations Get $41,972 for Environmental Education Projects

Release Date: 09/22/2005
Contact Information:

Contact: David Deegan (deegan.dave@epa.gov), EPA Office of Public Affairs, (617) 918-1017

For Immediate Release: September 22, 2005; Release # dd050910

Three organizations in Massachusetts were awarded a total of $41,972 in environmental education grants, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today. The organizations are among 13 recipients throughout New England that were awarded a total of $190,000.

Selected from more than 75 applicants in New England, 13 were chosen for the funds by EPA’s New England office.

The grants are targeted to organizations that tackle community issues, curriculum development and environmental health issues.

"Environmental education teaches our children how to create a cleaner environment for our future generations," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. “These grants support environmental education projects that address such challenges as water ecology, preservation and environmental justice issues."

Earthworks, Inc. of Boston received $20,000 to expands its Outdoor Classroom Program to include a teacher-in-training component. Students in a limited number of second and third grade classes in three Boston schools now receive weekly hands-on lessons from Earthworks staff on nature, ecology, and stewardship for their schoolyard and neighborhood orchards. Additional staff team-teach with classroom teachers to include other grades in these three Boston schools. More than 1,500 students and 118 teachers will be served by this program.

The Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center has received $9,772 to partner with Rockport High School, MIT Sea Grant Hatchery and the state Office of Coastal Zone Management in a program that will let Rockport High School’s aquaculture classes grow eelgrass from seed and replant them in local waters. Two teachers will attend a 5-day workshop on this program and more than 40 students will be served by this project.

The Tellus Institute of Boston received $12,200 to educate teachers about climate change. This project makes stakeholders the most educated in creating cost effective solutions to adapting to changes in our climate. Coastal zone, forestry, and agriculture sectors tend to be vulnerable to changes in the climate. By targeting educators in these sectors greater awareness is developed to find solutions to reduce current and future impacts.

For more information on the agency's education programs, visit the agency's web site at
https://www.epa.gov/ne/education/index.html

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Related Information:
Environmental Education Grants