United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
903\M-91\001
October 1991
RoQJoti 3 Office of External Affa;rs (3EAOO)
<&EPA Education for
Environmental
Action
Annual Report
FY 1991
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Contents
Regional Administrator's Message
Environmental Education Program Goals 2
External Action 3
Internal Development 4
Capability Building for EPA Programs
in Outreach and Education 5
Recognition for Adult Leaders 6
Regional Networks 7
State Networks 8
Bringing EPA to Youth and Educators 9
Bringing Youth and Educators to EPA 10
Partnerships 11,12
International Programs 13
Deputy Regional Administrator's Message 14
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Message from the Regional Administrator
In 1987, the Center for Environmental Learning (GEL) was
established at the Region 3 Office of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
GEL, as part of our Office of External Affairs, focuses
on promoting environmental education, improving the public
understanding of current and emerging policy issues, and
increasing opportunities for communication with the academic
community and other segments of the public.
Public interest in understanding and solving environmental
problems is continually increasing. Education is the key to
understanding and also the key to the inclusion of the public in
achieving solutions to environmental problems. EPA, therefore,
has an important role to play in promoting education.
On November 16, 1990, President Bush signed into law the
National Environmental Education Act (PL 101-619). This Act
authorizes the funding of grants and internships and the
establishment of a national environmental education training
center. These new programs will be additional tools we will
have available in this important job.
Regionally, we are building on a well-established base.
We plan to continue our leadership and expand our partnerships
in environmental education.
Edwin B. Erickson
Regional Administrator
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Environmental Education Program Goals
"Environmental education heightens public
sensitivity to the consequences of individual
and collective actions, while also preparing
future environmental management
professionals."
President George Bush
"Only through cooperative efforts and
partnerships mil we be able to accelerate
the development and implementation of
environmental education programs, individual
awareness, and the development of a more
scientifically and technically literate workforce."
EPA Administrator William K. Reilly
People make decisions based on more than
what they have learned in a classroom.
Region 3's environmental education efforts
are not limited to classroom learning or teaching.
Partners in continuing environmental education
beyond the classroom include: business
associations, civic associations, environmental
organizations, city, state and federal agencies,
and academic institutions.
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External Action
The Center for Environmental Learning actively
participates in environmental coalitions, planning
committees and conferences. Several examples include:
• Philadelphia's Urban Environmental Coalition in
developing agency, business, and schools partnerships
with the seventh grade classes of various schools
resulting in community action projects.
• Baltimore's consortium of federal, state, and city
agencies presenting a teacher training workshop for
urban teachers on pollution prevention in the Bay.
• Washington, D.C. working to form a strong network
of agencies and organizations to increase
environmental education in the D. C. area.
• A Virginia state-wide conference - The Second Annual
Conference on Environmental Literacy.
• The National conference on Environmental Labeling
held in Baltimore.
• The Sixth International Conference on Solid Waste
Management and Secondary Materials.
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Internal Development
A database of mailing lists for regional
programs, which can be sorted to 41 specific
audiences in each state, (approximately 5,000
entries)
A monthly in-house speaker series:
Environmental Consumerism Series
o A Regional Report on Participation in an
International Conference on Environmental
Labeling
o Good Housekeeping and the Environmental
"Seal of Approval"
New EPA initiatives
o 33/50 Program
o Pollution Prevention
CEL/Federal Womens Program Series
o "Science Education in the '90s: Teach Our
Children Well"
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Capability Building for EPA Programs
in Outreach and Education
The Center for Environmental Learning, the
Environmental Services Division and Women In
Science and Engineering members, developed
Educational Speakers Kits for the Region 3 Speakers'
Bureau. These kits are available to all EPA staff to
make presentations to youths and adults focusing on
hands-on learning. Kits developed so far are:
Pollution Prevention & the Industrial Process
Household Hazardous Waste
Watershed and Non-Point Source Pollution
Public Participation in Environmental Decisions
Solid Waste and Recycling
Environmental Laws and the Legislative Process
Environmental Careers
CEL sponsored a workshop for the Regional Adopt-a-
School coordinators to "compare workplans" and
share experiences. This has increased the visibility of
the Adopt-A-School Programs throughout the region
while also increasing the spirit of cooperation.
CEL and the Non-Point Source Program worked
together in defining the communications goals, to
move ahead with the states in a similar process.
CEL works in conjunction with numerous Region III
program staff on multi-media projects.
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Recognition for Adult Leaders
In five years, twenty-seven Regional Administrator's
Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education have
been presented. Their fine examples are as an inspiration
to others. The 1991 award winners are:
Media Society of Environmental Journalists:
educated journalists on environmental
issues.
Business Law Firm of Manko, Gold & Katcher:
developed an environmental problem-
solving exercise that has been incorporated
into a major law school's curriculum to
teach future attorneys.
Academia Alta S. Leary Elementary School:
has shown that hands-on activities
integrated into all subject areas increase
environmental understanding and action.
Non-profit The Alliance for Acid Rain Monitoring:
has students and citizens monitoring for
acid deposition throughout Pennsylvania.
Government Virginia State Parks...Your Backyard
Classrooms: a unique program with forty
multi-disciplinary lessons which teaches
educators how to incorporate parks into
their curriculum.
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OUR REGION
ri
EPA REGIONS
V
o^a?.
Wheeling
EPA Region
Office Locations
WEST
VIRGINIA
DELA-
WARE
Richmond
DISTRICT
OF
COLUMBIA
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Regional Networks
Advisors: The Center for Environmental Learning Board
has been a strong resource and important
forum for exchange. New members will be
added to the board to keep interest and
participation vital.
CEL
Board Air & Waste Management Association
comprises Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
leaders Delaware Nature Education Society
from: Franklin Institute Science Museum
League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
League of Women Voters of West Virginia
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Pennsylvania Resources Council
University of Pittsburgh
Virginia Council on the Environment
Regional EPA Directors and Managers
The board members meet formally twice a year
to discuss direction for the regional environmental
education program. They also make themselves
available on an as-needed basis. Each provides
information from his own perspective. Their
contributions have been important in the development
of environmental education programs throughout
Region 3.
The CEL Board members also reviews the
nominations for the annual Excellence in Environmental
Education Awards.
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State Networks
Networks Environmental education managers from
State Departments of Education,
Environment, and Natural Resources from
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West
Virginia, Delaware, and the District of
Columbia.
Focus The network meets twice a year to
exchange ideas and to provide updates on
legislation and new developments.
Featured speakers have discussed EPA's
new grants and potential sources of funding
from the United States Department of
Education.
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Bringing EPA to Youth and Educators
As part of the Presidential Youth Awards
Program,information was distributed describing the
student award program to 3,000 schools in five states.
This year, 1,253 personalized Presidential Certificates
were sent to recognize student's projects.
At South Philadelphia High School, 15 EPA
volunteers sponsored professional staff
development workshops for the entire faculty and
provided information on EPA issues for a four
year curriculum project. Over 100 teachers
attended.
To encourage quality competition, Women in Science
and Engineering and other regional employees
volunteered as regional judges at the Delaware Valley
Science Fairs. Fair organizers appreciated EPA's
expertise and participation.
• In August, 1990 a teachers' environmental background
kit was created. It has been sent to over 500
classrooms. The contents included EPA materials and
references to additional teaching tools.
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Bringing Youth and Educators to EPA
After a presentation by the Center for Environmental
Learning Explorer Post #850 was established under the
sponsorship of the Black Employment Program Advisory
Council, (BEPAC) with Post Advisors. Employees from
Region 3 work directly as role models and mentors with
high school students.
The first year for the Explorer Post was 1990.
Students learned first-hand about environmental careers
and issues. They created environmental videos by kids-
for-kids, planned a camping trip, and created a
presentation on recycling. Many of the Explorers
returned this year and brought their friends.
One of the most memorable activities of the work
with our Adopted Schools was Shadow-Day-at-EPA.
Forty-five Abraham Lincoln High School juniors spent the
day with regional attorneys, secretaries, division
directors, cartographers, emergency responders, planners,
and many others. Both students and staff ended the day's
activities smiling broadly. All involved wish to make it
an annual event.
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Partnerships
When groups from the academic community or
the general public request EPA's assistance in
developing new programs, the Center for
Environmental Learning is often able to help.
If the proposed project would advance the
mission of the Agency, CEL looks for "partners"
within the EPA programs whose work has goals
and objectives in common with the project. If
there are no partners within EPA, we make
suggestions to other organizations or agencies that
might find the initiative of interest.
The Center for Environmental Learning
accepts the responsibility for encouraging
opportunities where EPA's contributions can make
a difference.
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Franklin Institute Partnership
The Center for Environmental Learning has an
exciting partnership with The Franklin Institute
Science Museum.
Regional EPA staff and management:
provided ideas that were incorporated into an exhibit
which has been seen by a million people
introduced the Franklin Institute Future Earth exhibit designer
to contacts in EPA Labs for input and photographs
commented on a script that was produced and shown as a video at
the Futures Center on air pollution solutions
participated as role models in the Black Scientists Program
advised several Institute projects
displayed program exhibits, such as the Radon Program banners
attended a "back-stage" briefing and tour of the Futures Center
Franklin Institute Staff and Management:
provided speakers for the annual Women In Science and Engineering
Luncheon, a recent Senior management meeting, and other forums
assisted EPA to expand its network
served on the Center for Environmental Learning Board
This is just the beginning...
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International Programs
The Center for Environmental Learning has acted
as host for numerous groups of international visitors.
The agendas for these visits generally include
technical presentations from Region 3 staff, local non-
profit organizations and city agencies as well as visits
highlighting Philadelphia historical spots of interest.
International guests have given briefings for regional
staff. The visitors then have the opportunity to
exchange and receive information. Also, interviews
with local journalists are arranged, to share our
"international links."
CEL participated in the Central European
Environmental Seminar, and an environmental
education conference attended by over 400 students
and professionals in Czechoslovakia and recruited a
regional expert to advise the Pennsylvania Institute for
Service Learning in establishing an environmental
study center in Novgorod, USSR.
Visitors from countries hosted in fiscal year
1991 included representatives from:
People's Republic of China
U.S.S.R.
Germany
Italy
EPA Region 3 has developed an International Visitor's
Guide to provide orientation to international visitors.
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Message from the Deputy Regional Administrator
No matter how well EPA does its job, we will never
be able to maintain clean air, clean water, and the safe
disposal of waste without an active and informed
citizenry.
There are a variety of organizations working to increase
understanding and appreciation of our man-made and natural
environment. EPA plans to work with these institutions to
enable them to understand, communicate, and solve some of
the present and future environmental challenges.
It is mutually beneficial to work together. No
government agency or institution can do the job alone.
In 1987, the Center for Environmental Learning was
instituted to take an active role with leaders in
environmental education, to promote, support, and
encourage others to increase environmental understanding.
We encourage you to join us.
Stanley Laskowski
Deputy Regional Administrator
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Region 3
Center for Environmental Learning
841 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
215/597-9076
Bonnie J. Smith, Director
FY 1991 Region 3 Contributors
Danielle Algazi Brenda Robinson
Joyce Baker Lorna Rosenberg
Antoinette Bender Kathy Shelton
Elinor Elishewitz Janet Viniski
Kimberly Jefferson Donald Welsh
Evelyn MacKnight Elaine Wright
Region 3 Women In Science and Engineering
IN MEMORIUM
Robert N. Williams
1933 - 1990
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