c/EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Communications, Education, and Media Relations (1707) EPA-171-F-98-002 March 1998 Programs and Partnerships Office of Environmental Education Mission: Introduction The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide national leadership to increase environmental literacy. The Act encourages partnerships and builds upon long-standing environmental education (EE) efforts conducted by federal and state agencies, education institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and the private sector. The following summarizes the programs and partnerships that EPA's Office of Environmental Education (OEE) has established to implement the Act. Grants Each year EPA awards more than 200 grants worth between $2 to $3 million to support quality EE projects throughout the U.S. Since 1992, EPA has awarded more than 1,500 grants worth approximately $16 million to schools and universities; state, local, and tribal education agencies; and not-for-profit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories. To advance and support education efforts that develop an environmentally conscious and responsible public and inspire personal responsibility in caring for the environment. § **• CM The vast majority of awards are made by EPA's ten regional offices for grants of up to $25,000, especially for grants of $5,000 or less. EPA's priorities for funding in fiscal year (FY) 1998 are for projects that educate teachers, students, and community leaders about threats posed to human health by pollution; build state, local, or tribal capacity and/or use EE to advance state, local, or tribal goals for education reform; educate the public through community-based programs; improve teaching skills; educate low-income and culturally diverse audiences; or promote environmental careers. Training for Education Professionals EPA has awarded a multi-year cooperative agreement to a consortium of universities and non-profit organizations to deliver training and related support to education professionals nationwide. In 1992, EPA initiated this training program with a three-year, $5.4 million award to a consortium of universities and not-for-profit organizations led by the University of Michigan. Under this initial phase of the program, the consortium supported in-service training for K-12th grade teachers by developing resource materials, establishing an electronic database of EE information and education materials, and conducting training workshops. ------- In September 1995, EPA initiated the second phase of this program with a five-year, $9 million award to a consortium led by the North American Association for Environmental Education. This program is called the Environmental Education and Training Partnership and includes partners such as Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Project WET as well as several universities and education institutions. This phase builds upon the work initiated by the University of Michigan consortium and focuses on: • delivering training to education professionals through existing programs; • improving access to quality EE materials by expanding links between EE databases and by developing and disseminating EE guidelines; and • sustaining long-term training efforts by strengthening partnerships and building state-level capacity. The consortium places special emphasis on tying EE to state and local goals for education reform and reaching traditionally underserved education professionals (e.g., nonformal educators, high school teachers, and educators who work with low-income and culturally diverse audiences). Goals: Expand communication and partnerships Educate youth to protect the environment Promote environmental careers Educate the adult public to increase environmental literacy Bridge international boundaries College Fellowships The National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS) is a fellowship program that encourages college students to pursue environmental professions by offering them the opportunity to gain a valuable Programs and Activities: Grants Training for education professionals College fellowships Tribal scholarships Youth awards Linkages with internal and external experts and programs educational experience while conducting an environmental research project. The program reaches more than 100 students annually at more than 400 participating universities. Each year, EPA managers and scientists design new projects based on EPA's priorities. In a field of more than 1,000 organizations, NNEMS continues to be named "One of America's Top 100 Internships" by the Princeton Review. Youth Awards The President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) program recognizes young people across America for projects that demonstrate their commitment to environ- mental protection. PEYA nominees receive certificates from the EPA regional office that serves the community in which the project takes place. In addition, one nominee from each region becomes a national winner honored by EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Linkages with Internal and External EE Experts and Programs The Act establishes an external advisory council and a federal task force as well as a public-private foundation as mechanisms to help EPA develop lasting partnerships, leverage resources, and obtain advice from EE experts inside and outside of the federal government. EPA has also established an internal advisory board to facilitate communication and collaboration across EPA. These groups are described in greater detail below. ------- National Environmental Education Advisory Council EPA Environmental Education Advisory Board The National Environmental Education Advisory Council is comprised of representatives from organizations outside of the federal government who provide EPA with advice on EPA's implementation of the Act. The 11-member Council also provides EPA with important linkages to schools, universities, state departments of education and natural resources, not-for-profit organizations, and business and industry. The Council reports to Congress on the status of EE in the U.S., makes recommendations for improving these efforts, and works with EPA to implement these recommendations. Federal Task Force on Environmental Education The Federal Task Force on Environmental Education facilitates communication and collaboration among federal agencies and departments who have common interests in supporting and implementing EE programs. The Task Force places emphasis on supporting joint interagency EE projects that leverage both federal and non-federal dollars. Members include the U.S. Departments of Education, Interior, Agriculture, and Energy as well as the National Aeronautics & Space Administration, die National Science Foundation, and the Peace Corps. EPA serves as chair of die Task Force. The EPA Environmental Education Advisory Board provides leadership for EE and facilitates communication and collaboration across EPA. The 28-member Board represents EPA's Headquarters offices that implement EPA's air and radiation, water, solid and hazardous waste, education, environmental justice, and other program areas as well as EPA's regional offices and research laboratories across the country. The Board includes an Executive Committee of Regional Administrators. It places emphasis on providing leadership within EPA, improving the quality of and public access to EPA educational resources, enhancing communication widiin EPA, and supporting state-level EE programs. National Environmental Education and Training Foundation The Act also established the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEETF) to encourage public-private partnerships in support of environmental education and to complement EPA s environmental education efforts. NEETF awards one-year challenge grants in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $40,000. NEETF also has initiated programs in Environmental Healdi, Business and the Environment, Volunteerism in Natural Resource Management, and Educational Achievement in die Classroom. For additional information, call (202) 260-4965 or (202) 260-6819 (grants only) Or visit the WMd Wide Web at http://www.epa.gov/enviroed (available summer 1998) ------- |