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EPA Awards Environmental Education Grant in Johnstown

Release Date: 8/15/2002
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced 20 environmental education grants awarded throughout the mid-Atlantic region. In Johnstown, EPA awarded $4,750 to the Blacklick Environmental Education Center.

The program EPA is funding is called Opportunities for Educational and Wildlife Enhancement and the Vintondale Wetlands. This project will clean up acid mine drainage, reclaim 35 acres of abandoned mine land, and improve the overall quality of life in Vintondale, Cambria County, Pa.

Thousands of miles of stream in the Appalachian region have been severely affected by acid mine drainage. This project hopes to establish seven acres of wetlands that create habitat and educational opportunities, enable community members to maintain the wetlands, engage area schools and other groups in wetlands and educational activities, and receive Wildlife Habitat Council certification. This will be done through hands-on activities that will establish the wildlife and educational components at the site.

“The program will create an outdoor classroom by transforming abandoned mine land into wetlands and wildlife habitat. Here students and teachers will learn first- hand the value of wetlands and local environmental challenges,” said mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Donald S. Welsh.

Since 1992, EPA has provided more than $2 million annually in funding to local organizations and schools and has awarded a total of 1,700 grants. These grass-roots grants fund educational programs in nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and governmental agencies supporting a wide range of environmental issues for citizens of all ages.

To find out more about EPA’s environmental education grants and online resources for communities, educators, and children, check out EPA’s website at http:www.epa.gov/epahome/students.htm.