DEP Teaching Green: Environmental Education Grant Program Expanding

The Department of Environmental Protection is expanding the Environmental Education Grant Program to increase the number of applicants and environmental education projects supported statewide. 

The announcement was made in the latest DEP Teaching Green newsletter.

Changes

Among the changes are--

-- Longer application period: The 2023 Environmental Education Grants round will open a month earlier than in previous years, with applications accepted beginning August 1, 2022. The deadline is  December 9, 2022, at 4:59 pm.

-- Increased funding amounts: Mini Grants are increased to $5,000 (from $3,000) for local environmental education projects by school, county, municipality, or other defined area. 

General Grants Level I are increasing to $30,000 (from $20,000) for large-scale regional and/or statewide environmental education projects.

General Grants Level II remain at a $85,000 ceiling for non-formal environmental education programs designed to widely engage teachers and youth at three levels: county, state and national. 

Teachers and students from at least 60 Pennsylvania counties must directly participate in the project, and at least 30 percent of the project participants live and/or work within an Environmental Justice area.

-- Expanded expense coverage: Funding for people costs is increased to 50 percent (from 35 percent), and projects that get a General Grant can now use up to 30 percent (formerly 10 percent) of total grant funds to purchase program-specific technology. In addition, lodging and boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are now also included among expenses eligible for grant funding.

Priorities

DEP Environmental Education Grants support formal or non-formal environmental education projects that address one or more of these priorities-- 

-- Water quality: Education programs promoting effective ways to reduce nonpoint source and source water pollution to improve water quality;

-- Climate change: Education projects that promote practical solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the negative impacts of climate change, including floods, changes to groundwater, pests, disease, agricultural disruptions, and potential threats to human health; 

-- Environmental Justice: Education programs that engage youth and/or adults living or working within Environmental Justice areas.

For more information, visit the Environmental Education Grants webpage or check out this Environmental Education Grants Fact Sheet (PDF).

Other Articles

The DEP Teaching Green newsletter also features these articles--

-- Federal Funding Available For Electric Or Low-Emission School Buses

-- Congratulations to PA Envirothon On Successful 39th Program

-- Nurture Nature Center In Easton Develops Young Climate Leaders

-- ‘First Waves’ Sparks Environmental Connection In Youth In Johnstown

-- Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh Gives Planter Building Demonstration

-- PA Held First Native Species Day June 17

-- New Environment, Ecology Standards Approved By IRRC

-- Equity, Inclusion & 21st Century Leadership

-- Big Changes Impact Peregrine Falcons On Rachel Carson Building

-- Register Now For Pick Up Pennsylvania Summer Litter Cleanup Events

-- Professional Development Opportunities

Click Here to read the entire newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

For more environmental ed resources, visit DEP’s Environmental Education webpage.  Questions should be directed to Bert Myers, DEP Environmental Education and Information Center, call 717-772-1828 or send email to: gimyers@pa.gov .    Click Here to sign up for the DEP Teaching Green newsletter.

[Posted: June 28, 2022]  PA Environment Digest