HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded two grants in McKean County for environmental education.

“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.

Grants were awarded to schools, libraries, conservation district offices, and environmental and community organizations.

The McKean County Conservation District received $3,000 for programs on watersheds, planting trees and trout for elementary to high school students.

Pennsylvania State University received $3,000 for its youth hands-on learning about the Pennsylvania Wilds using themes from the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for environment and STEM.

The Environmental Education Grants Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates setting aside five percent of the pollution fines and penalties DEP collects annually for environmental education in Pennsylvania.