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Mount Desert Island Group Selected for EPA Environmental Education Grant

Release Date: 02/26/2008
Contact Information: Laura Poirier, (617) 918-1079 Kristen Conroy, (617) 918- 1069

(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 26, 2008) – The Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, of Salisbury Cove, Maine, was recently awarded an EPA environmental education grant for $21,125 to help enhance their environmental education program at the Myers Marine Aquarium. This aquarium houses unique vertebrate and invertebrate marine animals and algae from Frenchman’s Bay and Gulf of Maine.

“Education is a central tool in raising awareness about our environment,” said Robert Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. “By helping students learn more about our environment, we help develop citizen awareness about how to address needs for a clean and healthy environment.”

At the Myers Marine Aquarium, an experienced marine environmental education teacher works with an intern to continually assess the Laboratory’s existing education program and identify and prioritize facility or display modifications. The focus is on enhancing environmental education regarding marine species and the marine environment, as well as elevating public understanding of the health threats from marine toxins and from pollution at beaches. The project educates the thousands of visitors and the community about clean water and ecosystem protection.

This grant is among a total of $114,000 in environmental education grants awarded by EPA’s New England office. The other projects receiving EPA funding were in Massachusetts and Vermont. EPA funds environmental education projects that focus on improving teaching skills for educators, typically through workshops; educating teachers, students, or the public about the environment and potential health problems stemming from environmental pollution; helping states or communities to develop and deliver environmental education programs; or promoting environmental careers among students.

More Information:
EPA environmental education grants (http://epa.gov/region1/ra/ed/grant07.html)

EPA Environmental Education resources in New England (http://epa.gov/region1/education/index.html)

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