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Two Maine Groups Receive Environmental Education Grants

Release Date: 10/12/04
Contact Information:

Peyton Fleming, public affairs office, 617-918-1008

For Immediate Release: October 12, 2004; Release # 04-10-18

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has awarded $9,500 in environmental education grants to two Maine organizations. The two organizations are among 18 recipients throughout New England that were awarded a total of $188,900.

Selected from among 77 applicants in New England, the two Maine organizations that received the grants were Merryspring of Camden and the University of Maine in Orono.

The grants are targeted to organizations that tackle community issues, environmental justice, curriculum development and environmental health issues.

"Environmental education gives our children the building blocks necessary to create a cleaner environment for their own futures and for future generations," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. "These grants support environmental education projects that address such challenges as water ecology, preservation and environmental justice issues."

• Merryspring of Camden is receiving $4,500 for a project that partners with schools in a 3-county area to enhance the public school curriculum in natural science and ecology. This program brings students in kindergarten through fifth grade outside to learn about local habitats and the plant and animal species native to this part of coastal Maine.
• The University of Maine in Orono is receiving $5,000 to expand its Lake Leaders training program, which has already trained more than 250 lakefront landowners in lake threats and protection methods. This funding will train more than 20 more individuals in lake leadership, outreach and education methods on water quality. After the training, these individuals develop small-group proposals for better lake protection.