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University of Virginia Awarded EPA Environmental Education Grant

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 Charlottesville, Va., EPA awarded $12,000 to the University of Virginia for the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute.

“The Leadership Institute will be a significant forum for discussing ways to actively engage communities in solving local environmental challenges,” said mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Donald S. Welsh.

This environmental education program will bring together Virginia’s community leaders from all sectors - local and state government, federal government, environmental nonprofits, community organizations, private business and industry, and environmental educators to learn about major environmental issues and their impacts on Virginia communities. These issue range from health impacts to economic sustainability.

Participants will learn ways that these environmental issues have been addressed, successfully or unsuccessfully, as illustrated by specific case studies. Participants will also learn about a wide range of methods that can be used to engage communities in collaborative problem-solving and consensus building to resolve environmental issues. The Leadership Institute’s goal is that participants will enhance their personal skill capacity to actively engage others in productive dialogue and resolution of environmental issues important to community health and sustainability.

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.