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Three Vermont Projects Receive Environmental Education Grants

Release Date: 10/01/2001
Contact Information: Amy Miller, Press Office, (617) 918-1042

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that three organizations in Vermont have received a total of $15,000 in environmental education grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Shelburne Farms in Shelburne received $5,000; the Vermont Forum on Sprawl based in Burlington received $10,000, and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium received $5,000.

Shelburne Farms will get the money for the place-based Landscape Analysis and Community Education program that it is creating with the University of Vermont's Natural Areas Center. The program will bring together teachers, parents, civic leaders and residents for lectures and field trips exploring the natural and cultural history of their community. Shelburne Farms will work with teachers to develop curricula that engage students in environmental issues in their community.

The Vermont Forum on Sprawl will use its funds to expand its public education program called "Way to Grow," which seeks to increase awareness of what individuals can do about sprawl in their communities. The funding will pay for 12 monthly events around the state; a series of op-ed pieces in weekly newspapers and an improved web page.

The Fairbanks Museum will use its money for a project to buy classroom materials to study sustainable forestry, to support the museum partnership with foresters and a wildlife ecologist to produce a course on sustainable forest, and to distribute an instruction guide on sustainable forestry.

"These projects in Vermont will help educate residents about their own environment and how they can help to protect it," said Robert Varney, regional administrator at EPA's New England office. "Teaching residents about the air, land and water around them is an effective, cost-efficient way to protect the environment."

EPA announced a total of $185,000 in environmental education grants to 24 New England organizations this year. These grants benefit the environment while educating students, teachers, and the public. EPA New England is currently accepting proposals for smaller grant requests. For more information on grants, visit EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/region01 and click on education or call Sarah White at the EPA at 1-888-372-7341. The application deadline is Nov. 15.