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New Mexico Environmental Projects Win EPA Awards

Release Date: 7/17/2000
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     The Southwest Environmental Center based in Las Cruces and the College of Santa Fe will receive Environmental Education Grants of almost $15,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The projects increase environmental awareness while encouraging students to pursue careers in environmental fields.

     "The creativity, enthusiasm and commitment of these students and their adult sponsors will help ensure that our environment is protected for future generations. These projects are powerful examples of what can be accomplished when concerned individuals work together to improve their neighborhoods and communities," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

     The Southwest Environmental Center, based in Las Cruces, will receive a $5,000 grant to support its EE Training for After School Program Instructors program, in which 25 adults receive training in environmental education for after-school programs. Their students are exposed to age appropriate environmental issues through questions, analysis, discussion of environmental systems/processes and basic skills for addressing issues tied to a greater sense of civic responsibility.

     The College of Santa Fe will receive a $9,997 grant in support of its Alvord Environmental Exploration and Discovery Project. The project uses three outdoor environmental science exploration areas and observation/measurement/collection methods to help enhance their understanding of environmental science.  The project cross-trains scientist parents and college faculty in the basics of developmentally appropriate teaching for elementary students.

     This year Region 6 received 57 entries from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Fourteen groups were selected to receive $100,000 in Environmental Education grants.

     Since 1992, EPA has received between $2 and $3 million in grant funding per year and has awarded about 1,700 grants nationwide. More information about Environmental Education Grants and information on applying for grants to be awarded in 2001 is available on EPA's web site at https://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html or by calling the Region 6 coordinator at 214.665.2204 or toll-free at 800.887.6063.