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EPA-NEW ENGLAND KICKS OFF PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH AWARDS PROGRAM

Release Date: 03/06/1997
Contact Information: Angela Bonarrigo, Environmental Education, (617) 918-1034

BOSTON -- The 11th Annual President's Environmental Youth Awards Program, which promotes environmental awareness and community involvement through youth projects, is accepting applications for this year's contest.

Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, the contest is open to all young people in grades kindergarten through 12 and is designed to encourage individuals, school classes, summer camps, public interest groups and youth organizations to promote local environmental awareness and to channel this awareness into positive community involvement.

All participants who enter will receive certificates signed by President Clinton honoring them for their efforts in environmental protection. One outstanding project will be selected by the New England Regional Office for national recognition by EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Each project will be judged on nine criteria, including the long term environmental benefits derived from the project, the positive environmental impact on the local community and society, and the environmental need for the project.

Past nominees have included a wide variety of projects:

• A sixth grade class from the Lafayette School in Franconia, New Hampshire wrote and published a book entitled Greenkids' Book of Issues - A Book for Kids by Kids.
• A student environmental club at the Ipswich Middle School came up with a proposal to amend and improve the Massachusetts Bottle Bill.
• The Zippel Energy Group, organized and run by young people from Presque Isle, Maine, participated in more than 100 environmental outreach and education activities in their area.