BOSTON - A Lewiston, Maine organization that provides environmental education to college students was awarded $90,000 by the E.P.A..
The President & Trustees of Bates College received the backing for a two-year plan called "Community Colleges for Environmental Stewardship," which is targeted at launching low income students into a lifetime of environmental stewardship.
The plan was one of 7 New England groups awarded a total of $533,000 for programs that educate the community about climate change and other environmental issues. The organizations selected from Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Maine were among nearly 4 dozen organizations in New England to apply for funding.
"These organizations are doing just the kind of work that is so important for the future of New England's environment," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "Projects that introduce youth, educators and communities to the problems and the possibilities of environmental protection and climate adaptation are bound to help us build a stronger, healthier world."
"Today's students live in a time of unprecedented change and these students will be facing complex environmental issues in their communities, and entering a highly competitive workforce that demands a diverse skill set," said Sally Slovenski, executive director of the Maine Campus Compact, the consortium of colleges that is managing the program. "Through the work of a four-state consortium, these funds will help prepare faculty from diverse fields, to teach the communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills needed for community college students to make informed decisions and take positive action to address climate change and water quality issues."
The Community Colleges plan will change the way community colleges deliver environmental education courses to students in all fields of study and will complete local environmental plans to reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and plan water. The group will provide training and support to at least 20 faculty from diverse disciplines to embed environmental community plans into their courses. In excess of 360 low-income and non-traditional community college students are expected to participate.
EPA's Environmental Education grants encourage plans that educate members of a community through community-based organizations, or through print, film, broadcast, or other media to be more environmentally aware and make environmentally friendly decisions in their day-to-day lives. E.P.A. funds environmental education plans that focus on educating teachers, students, parents or the general public about human health problems. These issues range from 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 hands-on activities.
Other New England organizations selected by E.P.A. for grants under this plan include: the New Haven Ecology Plan in New Haven, Conn.; the Vermont Energy Education Plan in Montpelier; Greenagers, Incorporated in Great Barrington, Mass.; "e" Incorporated of Boston; the New England Environmental Alliance of Devens, Mass.; and Massachusetts Aububon Society of Lincoln, Massachusetts
More information:
E.P.A. Environmental Education grants http://www2.epa.gov/education . This location will have information on the 2016 Environmental Education Grant Solicitation Notice, which is expected to be released early in 2016.
