Welcome to the Summer 2023 Issue of Teaching Green. Whether you are wrapping up an existing environmental education project, or getting ready to launch new activities, we hope this issue provides material that helps support your efforts. Information shared in this issue places emphasis on the 2024 Environmental Education Program, which began accepting applications on August 1.  

The 2024 Environmental Education Grant Program began accepting applications on August 1, 2023 for the project period July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2023.

Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis. Please consult the 2024 Environmental Education Grants Program Manual for Grant proposal requirements, eligible applicants and expenses, and other pertinent information.

Funding priority will be given to environmental education projects that engage people living, working and/or attending school within Environmental Justice (EJ) areas in topics related to Climate Change and/or Water. Use the DEP Environmental Justice Area Viewer to determine if the project will engage EJ audiences.

Awards will be provided for local Mini-Grant projects of up to $5,000 or for large scale General Grant Level I projects ($5,001-$30,000) such as those that engage an entire school district, multiple communities and/or counties. For projects that engage teachers and students (at least 30% EJ) at 3 levels: Local, State and National, an award of up to $65,000 may be considered.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, award announcements for the 2024 Environmental Education Grant Program will occur in late April or early May 2024.  

The Environmental Education Grants Program supports a variety of projects that engage youth through adult audiences. Here is a sampling of projects that received EE Grant funds and concluded by the June 30 deadline: 

National Audubon Society - Youth Environmental Leadership

The National Audubon Society was awarded $20,000 for its Youth Environmental Leadership in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties project. Its 10-week internship program engaged 17 older teens in Norristown and North Philadelphia. Following implementation of a planned curriculum, each cohort self-selected and implemented either a communication or habitat project. Projects ranged from a public workshop about reusing plastic bottles to creating bird feeders and planters to establishing a pollinator garden. Many of the interns have made commitments to changing their personal habits for a healthier environment. Some of the interns are pursing conservation-related college majors. Others have expressed interest in exploring environmental career opportunities.

Wendy Christie of the National Audubon Society explains, “This pilot program was so impactful that in the coming year it will be restructured as a 22-week program, providing even greater significance for the interns, their communities, and the organization.” 

Bradford County Conservation District - Forestry Education Symposiums

The Bradford County Conservation District was awarded $11,996 to conduct two forestry symposiums for landowners and industry professionals in Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties. The symposium helped attendees better understand topics such as climate change, carbon storage, and water quality protection. Multiple agency representatives provided presentations on forest health, harvest regulations, best management practices, and woodlot management techniques. A guided tour showcased erosion and sedimentation control measures and best management practices designed to address stormwater runoff, restore forest stand health and promote wildlife habitat. 

With the support of a 2023 EE grant, the project will expand its reach and involve partners from the Lackawanna, Luzerne, Potter, Sullivan, and Tioga county conservation districts, along with the Northern Tier Hardwood Association.

Stroud Water Research Center - Touch Tank provides Youth and Adults access to Macroinvertebrates 

With its $3,000 Environmental Education Grant, the Stroud Water Research Center has created a simple and inexpensive solution for engaging audiences who may have physical, geographic, or other challenges accessing streams—the touch tank! In addition to creating the tank, Stroud developed an Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Touch Tank Guide that explains how to build and use a touch tank, how to collect aquatic macroinvertebrates, and “most importantly,” how to care for and return the macroinvertebrates to the stream. The Guide also offers programming suggestions and resources. Stroud designed a simple and fun evaluation tool for gauging the audiences’ response to using the tank. 90% of participants reported the programs to be a lot of fun. The tanks sparked a variety of questions from both children and adults. Families have been observed returning to the tank multiple times to continue exploring. Many visitors expressed similar views with statements such as, “I didn’t know these organisms lived in the stream,” and “Humans have a large impact on rivers.”  

Meaningful environmental education provides opportunities for audiences to explore local issues and in turn, identify potential actions they can take on behalf of their community and the environment. The Environmental Education Grants Program offers funding to support activities such as tree plantings, establishing community gardens for food and wildlife habitat, and hosting litter prevention or composting workshops. The possibilities are endless! 

The DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice (EJ) Office may be able to network educators with EJ community leaders who are interested in helping to support environmental education efforts. Contact the EJ Office’s Regional Coordinators by visiting dep.pa.gov/EJ.

EE Grant-funded projects support the engagement of people living, working, and/or attending school within EJ areas. Here are some participant snapshots from recently concluded projects: 

Environmental Education Program applicants are asked to identify if their proposed project will deliver a Formal or Non-Formal Program. What’s the difference?

The EE Grants Program defines Formal Education as programs that are integrated into a K-12 or Higher Education classroom curriculum. For instance, a school district has determined that every student of a certain grade will experience the program in their classroom.

Many environmental education programs use nationally recognized curriculums such as Project WET or Project WILD to support the teaching and learning that is taking place in the classroom. However, unless the environmental education programs are integrated into the curriculum, they are considered nonformal education. Nonformal education programs are frequently delivered outside of the traditional classroom. Nonformal education programs can engage any audience such as farmers, municipal officials and other adult community members or youth who are participating in programs such as 4-H youth, scouts, etc.

When requesting DEP Environmental Education Program funds, a big distinction between the Formal and Nonformal requirements is Formal education projects must address the State Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology and/or Science and Technology (both of which sunset June 30, 2025) or the Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards.

Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards

The newly adopted STEELS Standards were published on July 16, 2022, in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and are designed for implementation July 1, 2025. Educators are encouraged to access the STEELS hub to receive ongoing New and Noteworthy updates.