Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the selection of California organizations Ignited and Sierra Streams Institute to receive competitive grants for environmental projects in the state. These organizations have been recognized for their work in promoting youth ecological stewardship and environmental education, focusing on environmental justice, water resource challenges, and watershed health.
“This year's grant recipients bring to life the most innovative and effective ideas to engage California’s youth in addressing today’s urgent environmental challenges,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA is so proud to support these organizations' efforts to make progress toward a future with clean air, clean water, and land for all."
Ignited and Sierra Streams Institute are among 38 grant recipients nationwide selected by the EPA. The supported projects aim to increase public awareness of environmental issues and equip participants with skills to make informed decisions and take responsible actions toward the environment.
Ignited has been awarded a $60,000 grant for its Water Weeks Expansion Project. This initiative extends environmental justice education through a one-week externship on water resource issues for K-12th grade teachers in Title I schools. In collaboration with BAYWORK and local water agencies, the program will guide teachers to meet industry professionals and tour facilities such as wastewater plants, freshwater reservoirs, and dams. Teachers will develop lesson plans that engage students through environmental activism, preparing them for future careers. These activities will be available online for teachers nationwide.
“EPA’s Environmental Education Program provides invaluable support in our mission to transform local education by empowering teachers with direct industry connections,” said Ignited CEO Emily Dilger, PhD. “We are thrilled to expand our work with EPA to infuse classrooms with environmental justice education, inspiring the next generation of our workforce in environmental stewardship."
Sierra Streams Institute received $100,000 for its Leveraging Place-Based Education from the Valley to the Foothills project. This effort aims to increase youth participation in place-based environmental education and promote communication around watershed health. The project seeks diverse perspectives among Western Nevada County and Yuba County students, inspiring new generations of environmental study and action across over 50 schools.
"Sierra Streams Institute is excited to embark on a new environmental education collaboration to make outdoor field sites and resources accessible to K-12 students in the greater Yuba and Nevada County region,” said Education Program Director Sol Henson. “This project will also create opportunities for students across the region to share their place-based experiences and communicate on the importance of using sound science to steward our natural places."
Since 1992, EPA has distributed between $2 million and $3.7 million annually in EE grant funding, totaling over $95.1 million supporting more than 3,960 projects. This year’s grantees will conduct activities in 28 states as well as Palau, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.
For more information about current award winners or applying for future EE grant competitions: https://www.epa.gov/education/environmental-education-ee-grants
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