A high school student from Kansas, Archer Grier, has been honored with the President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) for his sustainable fish-breeding project at Cedar Lake in Olathe. The award was presented by Jim Macy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 Administrator, during a ceremony at the regional office in Lenexa, Kansas. Zach Ramsay, a fisheries biologist from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks who sponsored Grier's project, also attended the event.
"Archer’s successful project showed dedication to improving his local environment through science, innovation, and teamwork — and that’s an accomplishment worth celebrating," said Macy. "President’s Environmental Youth Award winners are role models and problem solvers that lead the way for youth stewardship of our land. I am proud to present this national award to Archer. Congratulations on a job well-done!"
Grier's interest in bass fishing led him to initiate a sustainable fisheries project after learning about a fish kill at Cedar Lake. He collaborated with KDWP biologists and local scouts to tackle the issue by designing and deploying a fish-breeding cube using repurposed materials like PVC pipe and drainage tubing. His initiative not only helped restore the lake's ecosystem but also encouraged community engagement in angling.
The EPA is currently accepting applications for both PEYA and the Presidential Innovation Awards for Environmental Educators (PIAEE), with a deadline of December 1, 2025. These awards aim to recognize students and educators who contribute positively to environmental awareness.
Established under the 1990 National Environmental Education Act, PEYA acknowledges exceptional environmental projects by students from kindergarten through 12th grade that protect natural resources. Similarly, PIAEE honors educators who inspire students through environmental education.
For more information on how to apply for these awards, visit EPA’s PEYA webpage or PIAEE webpage.
Information from this article can be found here.
