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Three Arkansas Education Projects Receive more than $32,000 from EPA

Release Date: 11/4/2004
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

      The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc., received Environmental Education (EE) grants totaling $32,544 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The EE program supports environmental education projects that enhance the public's ability to make informed and responsible decisions about the environment.

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

      The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service received $20,000 for its "Science Enrichment Education for Kids" project, a 12-week winter session designed to help meet the science education needs of home schooled youth.

      The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc., will receive two grants.  The "Floodplain Management" project will receive $7,544, to conduct workshops for local floodplain managers on proper management and possible mitigation projects for existing housing located within floodplains, primarily in low-income areas with a large minority population.

      The district's "Greta Green Environmental Education Program" received $5,000 to provide interactive programs, presentations and workshops to more than 52,000 students, teachers, and community groups covering recycling, composting, correct disposal of household chemicals and adverse effects of littering.  

      Since 1992, Congress has annually appropriated almost $3 million to EPA to award EE grants.  The competition for EE grants is considerable, and about 200 grants are funded annually from among more than 1,000 applications received.

      More information on EE grants awarded this year in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas is available at http://epa.gov/region6/6xa/grants2004.pdf.  More information on the EE grant program and how to apply for grants to be awarded in 2005 is available 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. The deadline for applying for 2005 EE grants is Nov. 15, 2004.