October 2024 EPA Publication Number: 907F24001 Wmm Growing GRANTING GREEN iq a Greener Tomorrow U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY | REGION 7 Summary. EPA Region 7's "Granting Green" publication highlights success stories and achievements of various projects funded by EPA grants. Region 7 includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations. The goal is to inspire and encourage ongoing and future efforts in environmental protection and community development, while demonstrating the impact of EPA funding on improving air and water quality, addressing brownfield sites, and promoting environmental justice. www.epa.gov/aboutepa/reaiori-7-communitv-information-auide ------- vv, ¦ i , A NOTE FROM THE TEAM 4 GETTING AROUND KC: BIKEWALK KC 5 KIMMELORCHARD 6 THE CENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS 8 TRAILNET IN THE VILLE 10 ENERGYCARE: INCLUSIVE SUSTAIN ABILITY FOR ST. LOUIS 11 HEARTLAND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CENTER 12 ------- REGION 7 COMMUNITY INFORMATION GUIDE The online Community Information Guide provides communities, nonprofits, stakeholder groups, community-based organizations, academia, tribes, state and local governments, and other partners with the latest news and information on funding and technical assistance opportunities, meetings, conferences, events, webinars, and other activities related to human health and the environment. SIGN UP AND SEE WHAT'S NEW! www.epa.aov/aboutepa/reaion-7-communitv-information-auide ------- A NOTE FROM THE EPA REGION 7 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM We wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for the outstanding work Region 7 grantees have made in our communities. Your unwavering commitment to environmental protection and public health has made a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals. Your efforts, from ensuring clean air and water to addressing environmental challenges, have not only safeguarded our environment but also enhanced the quality of life for residents across our region. Your dedication, expertise, and tireless work in fostering sustainability and resilience are truly commendable. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated region working diligently to protect our natural resources and promote a healthier, more sustainable future. Thank you for all that you do! BROftDMftV 10TH HMN page 4 ------- GETTING AROUND KC: BIKEWALK KC Eric Rogers, Colletta Hummel, Amy Scrivner, Amanda Grimes Award Years: 2023-2025 Environmental Education Award Amount: $200,000 BikeWalkKC.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting active and sustainable transportation in Kansas City. They work tirelessly to create a more walkable and bike-friendly community by advocating for policies that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, providing educational programs to enhance safety and skills, and organizing events that encourage people to get out of their cars and onto their bikes or on foot. Their mission is rooted in the belief that walking and biking are healthier options and also in infrastructure and urban design to identify areas in need of improvement to make walking safer and more accessible. By engaging community members and experts in these assessments, they gather valuable insights to inform policy changes and infrastructure upgrades, ultimately working toward creating more inclusive and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods across Kansas City. These "walk audits" play a crucial role in their overall mission to foster a culture of active transportation. With the award year running until 2025, Bikewalk KC hopes to develop a more active community with resources enabling healthy transportation for all. ------- The Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard Educational Foundation and Schram Educational Center Dr. Bob Right, Dr. Judy Wu-Smart, and Dr. Doug Golick Award Years: 2020-2022 Environmental Education Award Amount: $133,333 ¦ * ¦ any insects play essential roles in nature, like helping plants grow by pollinating them, controlling pests that harm crops, and recycling nutrients in the ecosystem. page 6 It's crucial to protect these beneficial insects to maintain healthy ecosystems and ensure the well-being of the land and wildlife. A perfect reflection of this purpose- driven work can be seen through our former grantee, the Kimmel Orchard. In partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln Parish Schools, Calvert Elementary Kindergarten, Girl Scouts of Nebraska, and Nebraska Game and Parks' Schramm Education Center; these regional leaders work in tandem to provide expansive pollination curricula. These varied topics cover soil quality, workshops, and training sessions for various educators about beneficial insects and pollinators, including beekeeping and ways to reduce pesticide use and the intricate importance of our pollinators. ------- agriculture. To provide students with the skills to evaluate insect populations in school or demonstration gardens. Currently, the programs are focused on restoring habitats for pollinators in preparation to teach students in the region about the importance of conservation. As a continued testament to their grant, the Kimmel Orchard hosted a full week in summer 2023 for the Girl Scouts of Nebraska in educational activities to help their scouts learn about all the many beneficial insects. From the making of their own beehives to full beekeeping suits, the Kimmel Orchard continues to grow - showing Nebraska the power of pollination! ------- THE CENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS Lucia Schulz, Kirsten Bailey, Deborah 5ofiel and Sandra Renner I Award Years: 2020-2022 The Centerfor Rural Affairs (CFRA) is helping Latino farmer families in rural Nebraska communities facing challenges because they do not have full access to important information about protecting the environment and support systems due to language barriers. In rural Nebraska, the Latino population has grown significantly over the past 20 years, becoming an important part of many communities. However, language barriers and trust issues make it hard for them to access information about safe farming practices. From documents to engagement opportunities relevant to local farms and farmers, this eliminates hurdles for those seeking opportunities within the region. The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality's report shows that many rural residents rely on groundwater for their water supply, but there is widespread agricultural contamination, particularly with nitrates and pesticides. While efforts have been made to monitor water quality, some private wells are not part of the monitoring program. CFRA Team Photo (left to right): Lucia Schulz, Kirsten Bailey, Deborah Solie, and Sandra Renner. ------- The Center for Rural Afairs: https://www.cfra.of CFRA and its partners use this known gap as an opportunity to teach these families how to test their water and soil for pollution, all while removing the language barrier. To help, a project provides educational training to Latino farmers on testing their well water and garden soil for contaminants. By learning these skills to monitor their water supply, they can reduce the risk of drinking harmful water and protect their customers who consume crops grown with potentially contaminated water. CFRA uses group learning and demonstrations to make the training fun, effective and informative, as they have already gained many outstanding community leaders. Through empowering their community, they have created a constant stream of translated tools and documents, as well as working as intermediaries in farm sharing. Older rural homesites may have a history of various activities that could contaminate the soil, such as waste disposal or fuel spills. People living on these sites may be at risk of exposure to contaminants like lead from old house paint or other toxic substances. To stay safe, it's essential for rural residents, including the Latino population, to be aware of these dangers and take steps to protect themselves, their communities, and our earth. ------- PRAfLNET IN THE VILLE Bryce Monser and Cindy Mense of I railnet Aaron Williams, Northside Community Housing/The Ville Award Year: 2022-2023 Environmental Justice Award Amount: $30,000 WELCOME TO THE VILLE NEIGHBORHOOD Trailnet, based in St, Louis, Missouri, is a nonprofit organization with a profound commitment to promoting active transportation and creating healthier, more connected communities. Their mission revolves around advocating for safe and accessible walking and biking trails, fostering a culture of active mobility, and advancing sustainable transportation options. Trailnet has been a key player in facilitating improved infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians throughout the St. Louis region, making it a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly city. Notably, Trailnet has embarked on collaborative efforts with North Side Community Housing in The Ville neighborhood, which received an EPA grant. Together, they are working on projects that aim to revitalize and enhance the built environmentto be more inclusive and sustainable. This partnership not only addresses community development but also integrates environmental concerns, contributing to the broader goal of creating resilient and healthier neighborhoods. These collaborative efforts underline Trailnet's commitment to making St. Louis a more vibrant and sustainable place for all its residents, with a specific focus on underserved communities. ------- page 11 ENERGYCARE INCLUSIVE SUSTAINABILITY FOR ST. LOUIS Melanie Tobin, Development Director, and Jana Ngugi, Services Supervisor Award Year: 2022-2023 Environmental Justice Award Amount: $75,000 By making these improvements, they not only help reduce energy bills for their clients, but also contribute to the broader goal of environmental conservation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change in the St. Louis region. Through their partnership with EPA, EnergyCare St. Louis aims to make a significant impact in addressing energy poverty and promoting environmental sustainability. Their work not only ensures that individuals have access to essential energy services, but also aligns with broader efforts to create a greener and more energy-efficient community. T- EnergyCare St. Louis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income and elderly individuals in the St. Louis area maintain safe and affordable energy in their homes. Their primary mission is to alleviate the burden of energy costs for vulnerable communities, while ensuring that homes are energy-efficient and safe. EnergyCare's services range from providing financial assistance for energy bills to offering weatherization and energy efficiency programs. Their commitment to addressing energy poverty has a significant positive impact on the lives of those struggling to make ends meet while keeping their homes comfortable. EnergyCare St. Louis received a grant from EPA, highlighting their commitment to environmentally sustainable initiatives. This grant underscores their efforts to reduce the carbon footprint and enhance the energy efficiency of the homes they serve. As part of this initiative, EnergyCare focuses on weatherization, which includes sealing drafts, insulating homes, and upgrading heating and cooling systems to be more energy-efficient. ------- H EARTLAN D ENVIRONMENTAL > JUSTICE CENTER The Heartland Environmental Justice Center (HEJC) was created after the Environmental Justice Thriving CommunitiesTechnical Assistance Centers (ED TCTAC) program awarded $10 million to Wichita State University. These funds are to provide direct technical assistance, training, and capacity-building support to communities and organizations to advance environmental and energy justice priorities. Subscribe to stay up to date with HEJC's projects and community work. October 2024 ------- and public health issues by building partnerships. Stay tuned for future grant updates. The HEDC offers no-cost, customized support to strengthen communities' ability to identify challenges, plan and implement solutions, secure funding, and work toward achieving their community goals. The formation of the ED TCTACs, in partnership with the Department of Energy, is in direct response to feedback from communities and environmental justice leaders who have asked for readily accessible technical assistance to help with their long-term ED goals and to help build their capacity to access federal and other resources. page 13 There are 16 regionally and nationally based ED TCTACs, featuring over 140 partners to provide assistance benefiting communities throughout the U.S. The HEDC is a first-stop resource for communities seeking help with pressing environmental justice and energy equity challenges. The center was created to give communities extra capacity to plan for and find the funding sources that are desperately required to make transformative changes toward their environmental and energy justice goals. There are other ED and Environmental Education grantees in the region who are also contributing to helping communities address environmental ------- EPA REGION 7 GRANTING GREEN Mmmt . Jgfeis " ll&'A'' K*i/ .T • % ' r. » / €9h '•* ** ! www.eDa.gov/reaion7 Facebook.com/eparegion7 x.com/epareqion7 lnstaqram.com/epa hear Subscribe Environmental Justice Grants, Funding and Technical Assistance iustice-arants-fr assistance r7 communities diqest.epa.gov Mention of or referral to commercial products or services, and/or links to non-EPA sites does not imply official EPA endorsement of or responsibility for the opinions, ideas, data or products presented at those locations, or guarantee the validity of the information provided. Mention of commercial products/services on non-EPA websites is provided solely as a pointer to information on topics related to environmental protection that may be useful to EPA staff and the public. October 2024 ------- |