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Arkansas Students Win EPA Awards for Environmental Projects

Release Date: 7/6/1999
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

    Two Arkansas public schools projects will receive Environmental Education Grants of $33,500 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The projects increase environmental awareness while encouraging students to pursue careers in environmental fields.

     "The creativity, enthusiasm and commitment of these students and their adult sponsors will help ensure that our environment is protected for future generations. These projects are powerful examples of what can be accomplished when concerned individuals work together to improve their neighborhoods and communities. Students involved in these projects are shining reminders of the many youth who regularly perform meaningful volunteer activities in neighborhoods throughout our country," Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

     Both projects use activities in natural surroundings to illustrate the importance of our environment. They help make classroom lessons come to life and expose students to a broad range of job opportunities in environmental fields.

     The Habitat Based Learning Project at Lakeside School District in Hot Springs, Ark., provides hands-on learning opportunities for at-risk high school students. As they solve real-life environmental problems, students discover the relevance of math and science concepts presented in their classes. They learn about careers in environmental science fields as they practice new skills.

     Outdoors at Calico Rock involves students in every grade at the Calico Rock Public Schools. Older students mentor those in kindergarten through sixth grade in this ongoing, long-term project. Students explore a wide range of environmental topics in various learning areas including a pond and wetlands area, a vegetable garden, a weather station and a nature trail. The project builds computer skills with its links to other schools with similar projects.

     The Lakeside School District will receive $21,500 and the Calico Rock Public Schools will receive $12,000. This year Region 6 received nearly 75 entries from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Fifteen groups were selected to receive nearly $150,000 in Environmental Education grants.

     Since 1992, EPA has received between $2 and $3 million in grant funding per year and  has awarded about 1,700 grants nationwide. More information about Environmental Education Grants and information on applying for grants to be awarded in 2000 is available on EPA's web site at https://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html or by calling the Region 6 coordinator at (214) 665-2204 or at 1-800-887-6063.