All News Releases By Date

Hartford and New Haven Groups Receive Environmental Education Grants

Release Date: 11/08/2002
Contact Information: Andrew Spejewski, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1014

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced $175,000 in environmental education grants to New England, including $27,000 for two Connecticut organizations and $20,000 to the New England Aquarium for a region-wide program. The Hispanic Health Council of Hartford is receiving $10,000 for a project using college students to teach youths about environmental health issues, and Upper Room Unlimited of New Haven is being awarded $17,000 for an environmental education program for city children.

"The critical first step to a clean and healthy world is learning about our environment," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. "These organizations are doing a tremendous job at helping students and citizens learn, and EPA is proud to be able to help fund their work."

The Hispanic Health Council, in Hartford, is receiving a $10,000 grant for local environmental health education. Youth ages 14-18 will learn to monitor their local environment under the guidance of undergraduate students from Connecticut State University. Environmental health issues such as asthma and lead poisoning will receive particular attention.

Upper Room Unlimited in New Haven is receiving $17,000 for its "This is Where I Live" program for inner-city children. The program includes an interactive play and a menu of hands-on-workshops in urban schools, including a field trip to a local nature area.

The Boston-based New England Aquarium is designing a traveling exhibit and training program on the sources of mercury in New England's environment, how it travels and reaches humans, and what people can do to minimize risks to them and the environment. Aquarium officials expect that 30,000 to 40,000 people will have the opportunity to interact with the exhibit and/or participate in mercury education.