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Environmental education projects in MT get a boost from EPA

Release Date: 8/7/2001
Contact Information:
800 227-8917 x6605,

Release Date: 8/7/2001
Contact Information:
800 227-8917 x6613,

Release Date: 8/7/2001
Contact Information:
800 227-8917 x7814

Denver -- Denver -- Continuing its commitment to increase understanding of the importance of protecting the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded four environmental education projects in Montana this year.

"These grants support projects that enhance public awareness, knowledge and skills, so people can make informed decisions that affect environmental quality," Acting Regional Administrator Jack McGraw said, "These kinds of hands-on projects involve students of all ages and promote the understanding that we are inextricably connected to and dependent on the environment."

Since 1992, EPA has awarded $20 million in grants. For more information on EPA's Environmental Education Grant program, visit https://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html.

The winning projects for 2001 are:

Missoula County Public School District #1 $5,000
215 S. 6th St. W, Missoula, MT 59801
Contact: Dr. Robert McKean 406 728-2400
This program offers quality outdoor environmental education learning experiences for 6th graders in the Missoula area. There are 500 students, 20 teachers, 15 college student volunteers and several interns involved. The program includes weekday classes at a nearby national forest outdoor recreation area.

Montana Science Institute, Inc. $5,000
7653 Canyon Ferry Road, Helena, MT 59602
Contact: Gil R. Alexander 406 475-3638
MSI will provide a three-week workshop in forest fire/wildfire fighting, utilization, management and remediation to 25 at-risk high school students and community members affected by summer 2000 fires in the upper Missouri Watershed.

Rocky Boy Public Schools $23,290
RR1, Box 620, Box Elder, MT 59521
Contact: Sandra Murie 406 395-4291
Grant recipients will develop a "living laboratory" to rehabilitate 1/4 mile of the Parker Canyon Creek streambed. Students will collect physical, chemical and biological water quality data from pre-selected investigation sites and theorize why changes occur in the creek. The Chippewa Cree Tribal Water Resources Dept. and the Rocky Boy Soil Conservation District will use the results to establish provisions of the water quality standards.

Wild Rockies Field Institute $4,700
P.O. Box 7071, MIssoula, MT 59807
Contact: David Havlick 406 543-3889
The institute will develop and deliver two sections of a summer field course for educators in 2002. Ecological Education Afield is designed for experiential learning. The course will be conducted during a week-long backpacking trip in Montana's Bitterrot Mountains. Participants will receive a curriculum packet with lesson plans and field-based teaching suggestions for use after the course.