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Texas 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.

     Environmental projects in San Marcos, Austin, McQueeney, Denton and Belton will receive Environmental Education Grants totaling almost $25,000 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 San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District will receive a $4,821 grant in support of its Monarch Butterfly Assistance Project. High school science students conduct and report on scientific experiments addressing conservation issues on public lands by studying monarch butterflies.

     The American Institute for Learning in Austin will receive a grant of $5,273 in support of its Community Watershed Education Project.  The project trains and educates teachers to use unique, hands-on curriculum and watershed models. Students receive watershed education training, including the health and career aspects of water pollution and watershed protection.

     The Seguin Outdoor Learning Center in McQueeney will receive a $4,694 grant in support of its Water Quality Pilot Program.  Recent devastating floods in the area have made it vital to educate children in water quality protection.  Sixth grade students participate in field investigative trips to learn about water quality and drinking water sources.

     Keep Texas Beautiful, based in Denton, will receive a $5,187 grant in support of its Waste in Place Regional Workshops. Eight workshop locations across Texas give teachers and  non-formal educators hands-on environmental experiences, such as how to evaluate litter value for better waste management practices.  Teachers share the workshop curriculum with students, and non- formal educators share the curriculum with community members.

     The Miller Springs Alliance in Belton will receive a $5,000 grant in support of its  Self-Help Water Conservation Solutions and Demonstration. This project allows scientific professionals to provide experimental training to classroom educators and students. Approximately 14 school districts participate.

     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.