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EPA Awards Elizabeth City State University $5,000 Environmental Education Grant

Release Date: 01/08/2004
Contact Information: Laura Niles, (404) 562-8353, niles.laura@epa.gov

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 announced today that it has awarded a $5,000 environmental education grant to Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The grant will provide funds to support the University's Education and Awareness Project, which focuses on identifying and reducing the number of children exposed to lead poisoning. The Elizabeth City State University Education and Awareness Project targets low-income families with small children occupying homes with potential lead hazards, particularly in Pasquotank, Perquimans and Camden Counties in Northeastern North Carolina. The major goals of the project include: an increased knowledge base for community residents regarding sources of lead poisoning and measures to prevent exposure; an increase in the number of at-risk children being tested and treated for lead poison; and an increase in the safety precautions being taken in the reduction and removal of lead exposure. EPA's environmental education grants, authorized by the National Environmental Education Act (NEEA) of 1990, are awarded to carry out environmental education projects. The winners were chosen from 75 proposals submitted by institutions and agencies in the eight Southeastern states. Proposals received by the Region sought a total of approximately $200,000 in grants. The EPA Environmental Education Grants Program is designed to stimulate the development of environmental education projects at the community level by local schools and environmental organizations, and to facilitate environmental education partnerships between governmental agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Projects are intended to motivate the public to be more environmentally conscious and make responsible and balanced decisions to protect the environment.