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EPA Awards Financial Assistance to Help Organizations Celebrate Earth Day

Release Date: 04/05/2006
Contact Information: Denise Morrison, (913) 551-7402, morrison.denise@epa.gov

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Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., April 5, 2006) – EPA Region 7 has awarded financial assistance to seven organizations to help celebrate Earth Day 2006 on April 22 and throughout the year in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Region 7 received 99 proposals from environmental groups, non-profit organizations, schools and state agencies. The Earth Day awards ranged from $500 to $2,500.

Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford said, “It gives me great pleasure to provide financial support to these communities in celebration of Earth Day. Their projects provide opportunities to focus on solutions to their environmental problems.

”The selected proposals also can be viewed on the Region 7 Web site at www.epa.gov/region07/news_events/events/index.htm

Additional information about Earth Day is available from Denise Morrison by e-mail at morrison.denise@epa.gov. Mrs. Morrison can also be contacted toll-free at 1-800-223-0425.

Following is a list of organizations, by state, that have received assistance.



Hartman Reserve Nature Center, Cedar Falls - $2,200: This project will engage adults and children to re-introduce native mussel species in the Cedar River. The goal of this project is to increase the quality and productivity of the Cedar River. The long-term benefits of this mussel restoration project will raise awareness of local citizens about water quality.

Jasper County Conservation Board, Newton - $1,596: This project will involve creating Earth packs. The packs will have activities and references to teach various topics on insects, water quality, birds, woodlands, prairies and wetlands. They can be checked out free for a two-week period from the conservation board. The long-term benefit of this project will be a community more knowledgeable about soil, water, plants and animals.

Whispering Cottonwood Farm Educational Center, Salina - $1,900: This project will engage third and sixth grade students in an environmental summit. Students will visit prairie, forest and river habitats, receive information about the habitats and be given a habitat problem to address. The students will work to create possible solutions to their habitat problem and submit their recommendations to the Kansas governor.

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, Kansas City - $950: This project will involve senior adults and youth creating a garden. Residents will increase their environmental awareness by planting and maintaining an outdoor vegetable garden. The long-term benefit of this project will be improved nutritional habits, exercise and improved health from the consumption of fruits and vegetables.


The Groundwater Foundation, Lincoln - $2,300: This project will involve high school students and community members testing well water in three rural communities. Students will learn about water contamination and receive training on testing equipment. The students will explain the results of the well tests to the well owners and give them information on how to safeguard their water supplies. The long-term benefits of this project will be a community more knowledgeable about local water quality issues and ways to prevent contamination.

Indian Center Inc., Lincoln - $1,150: This project will increase environmental awareness of elders and youth, who will plant and maintain an outdoor multigenerational organic vegetable garden. The long-term benefit of this project for the community will be improved nutritional habits, exercise and improved health from the consumption of fruits and vegetables grown in an organic, pesticide-free environment.

Prairie Hill Learning Center, Roca - $1,563.60: This project will involve kindergarten through sixth grade students creating a documentary video about construction of a green building. This video will be used to educate and encourage the public to use renewable building materials. The long-term benefit of this project will be a community more knowledgeable about how renewable materials can save energy and resources.