The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded 2019 Environmental Education Grants of $3,000 each for two McKean County projects.
Pennsylvania State University will receive funding for “youth hands-on learning about the Pennsylvania Wilds using themes from the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for environment and STEM,” the DEP stated in a press release.
Also, McKean County Conservation District was awarded a grant to be used for programs for elementary to high school students.
“Key grant project activities will be coordinating Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE), My Growing Tree programs, and Trout in the Classroom program enhancements and supplemental projects,” explained Jody Groshek, communications & outreach director for the McKean County Conservation District.
The Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience will give middle and high school students the chance to make positive changes to their own community, according to Groshek.
She said, “By utilizing the newly developed MWEE (Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience) model developed by the Chesapeake Bay Program, education programs will begin with the identification of an environmental problem in the community, and will culminate with action projects by the students.”
Those lessons can teach today’s students to be responsible adults.
“Living in a watershed means everyone can play a role in supporting a healthy streams and aquatic ecosystems,” Groshek said. “The future of all Pennsylvania watersheds will rest in the hands of today’s students.”
According to Groshek, the McKean County Conservation District has offered environmental education programming since 2006.
“Education is a keystone program for the District,” she explained. “Programs vary by audience but all include information about environmental topics, the responsible use of land, and protection of our natural resources. Programs are provided in classes by teacher invitations and requests; and out of school during field trips, field studies, and summer experiences.”
Altogether, the DEP awarded $205,000 in grants to 45 projects addressing environmental justice, climate change and water quality.
“Supporting these projects will provide children and adults in urban, rural, and suburban communities with knowledge of the natural world, the importance of a healthy environment, and the value of environmental protection,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
According to the DEP, the grant program prioritizes projects that “educate and empower disadvantaged communities to participate meaningfully in environmental and public health issues; educate the public on emissions reduction, energy conservation, renewable energy and climate adaptation; and educate local officials, business owners, homeowners and the general public about reducing nonpoint source pollution, water quality monitoring, cold water habitats and other aspects of water quality.”
