EPA Seeking Applications for Environmental Education Grants

BOSTON, MASS. — The US Environmental Protection Agency’s New England Office is seeking applications from educators, education institutions, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations for environmental education grants for fiscal year 2004.

The applications must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, January 6. The environmental education grant solicitation notices are available at www.epa.gov/enviroed.

EPA funds environmental education projects that focus on educating teachers, students, parents, or the general public about human health problems from environmental pollution; improving teaching tools and techniques for educators through workshops; building state or local capability to develop and deliver environmental education or public outreach programs; or promoting environmental careers and stewardship among students through engaging them in hands-on activities.

The program also encourages projects that educate members of a community through community-based organizations, or educates the general public through print, film, broadcast, or other media to be more environmentally aware and make environment friendly decisions in their day-to-day lives.

EPA hopes to receive $200,000 in grant monies for fiscal year 2004. Last year EPA New England awarded $198,700 of environmental education grant monies to 20 New England organizations. Most of the grant awards for 2003 ranged from $5,000 to $10,000.

New England schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies that would like to further environmental education can apply for a grant by obtaining a copy of the solicitation notice at www.epa.gov/enviroed, by emailing a mailing address to Kristen Conroy at conroy.kristen@epa.gov, or by calling her at 617-918-1069.