Rep. Bizzarro: Grant to help kids connect with local waterways
Adopt-a-Stream programming to be developed for local students
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro April 20, 2022 | 4:36 PM
ERIE, April 20 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, applauded today’s announcement from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that almost $20,000 is coming to Erie County to fund environmental programs for young people.
The Regional Science Consortium successfully applied for $19,997 to start teacher trainings to implement an Adopt-a-Stream water monitoring program. This will go beyond teaching the kids what’s in area waterways; it will involve environmental audits and stream stewardship action projects.
“Erie County’s economy is forever connected to the health of our environment, especially our waterways,” Bizzarro said. “I’m glad to see this funding go to help kids connect with that idea now, and teach them what can be done to improve conditions for everyone.”
Environmental education grants were awarded by DEP regionally to schools, institutions, conservation districts, and environmental and community organizations. More than 90 percent of grant funds will support projects that engage youth and adults living or working within environmental justice areas.
“These grants help provide the foundation for environmental education for people of all ages,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “This year’s Earth Day theme is ‘Invest in Our Planet’ and each of these projects represents an investment into furthering the environmental education of Pennsylvanians.”
“We are excited to see all of these great projects receiving funding in northwestern Pennsylvania,” said Erin Wells, DEP’s northwest regional director. “Environmental education grants are crucial to our partners who continue their environmental outreach in our local communities.”
The Environmental Education Grants Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates setting aside 5% of the pollution fines and penalties DEP collects annually for environmental education in Pennsylvania. Since its inception, the DEP has awarded $12.3 million in environmental education grant funding to support 2,135 projects.