2024 Environmental Education Grants – Pennsylvania

Administered through DEP, the Environmental Education Grants Program provides funds to support a wide range of environmental education projects including meaningful, hands-on programs for students, teacher training workshops, and community conservation projects for adults.

Donor Name: Department of Environmental Protection

State: Pennsylvania

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 11/15/2023

Size of the Grant: $30,001 – $65,000

Grant Duration: 1 year

Details: 

The 2024 Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Environmental Education Grants Program welcomes applications for the development of innovative formal and non-formal education projects that:

• Address grant program priorities;
• Provide opportunities to expand the public’s understanding of Pennsylvania’s environmental issues; and
• Develop skills required to make informed decisions and take responsible action on behalf of the environment.

Priorities

Funding priority is given to environmental education projects that engage people living, working and/or attending school within Environmental Justice areas in topics related to Climate Change and/or Water.

• Climate Change
  • Education projects that increase the audience’s understanding of how human activities have contributed to climate change impacts including floods, pests, disease, agricultural disruptions, groundwater changes and potential threats to human health and the environment. Projects will help audiences identify practical solutions and adopt actions (personally and/or collectively) to help Pennsylvania communities become more sustainable and resilient in the face of Climate Change. Projects may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
  • Demonstration projects that increase the community’s understanding of climate change impacts and promote adoption of green infrastructure practices such as renewable energy and energy conservation practices, permeable pavements, green rooftops, rain gardens, tree box filters, urban tree plantings, and other related practices.
  • Education projects that address solutions for reducing carbon emissions.
  • Tours featuring renewable energy and energy conservation projects, sustainable transportation, alternative fuels, waste reduction, and agricultural best management practices (BMPs).
  • Education projects supporting Green School initiatives.
  • Climate adaptation projects, implemented as a part of a larger educational effort, such as urban tree and riparian buffer plantings, water quality monitoring, habitat improvement, and other meaningful experiences.
  • Projects that explore everyday choices such as energy conservation, transportation, food wastes, consumer habits, and others that could address climate change.
• Water
  • Education programs promoting effective ways to reduce non-point source and source water pollution to protect or improve local water quality. Projects may emphasize a variety of subjects such as watersheds, stormwater management, soil and water conservation, groundwater, agricultural nutrient management, abandoned mine drainage/reclamation, private water wells, road treatment, water quality monitoring, riparian buffers and cold-water habitats. Projects are not limited to the following examples:
  • Workshops and educational tours addressing local water quality issues and solutions.
  • Projects that address soil erosion and promote soil and water conservation practices.
  • Community projects promoting integrated water resource management, water conservation, and stormwater best management practices (BMPs).
  • Water education programs culminating in community action projects, such as tree plantings, stream maintenance, and establishing rain gardens.
  • Programs that help youth understand urban watershed concepts, make connections with nature, and encourage hands-on stewardship projects.
  • Education projects that help residents identify sources household and community hazardous wastes, understand how to properly use and dispose of products, and encourage practical use of “green” alternative products.
• Environmental Justice (EJ) Audience
  • Environmental Education programs designed to engage people (youth and/or adults) living, working and/or attending school within Environmental Justice (EJ) areas. EJ areas are designated in rural, suburban and urban areas throughout the Commonwealth.

Funding Information

• Mini Grants, of up to $5,000, may be awarded for local (school, county, municipality or other defined area) environmental education projects.
• General Grants Level I, ranging in amounts from $5,001 – $30,000, may be awarded for implementation of large-scale environmental education projects, such as School District-wide projects, engagement of multiple communities, collaboration involving multiple counties or statewide projects.
• General Grants Level II, ranging in amounts from $30,001 – $65,000, are available for non-formal projects engaging youth and teachers at three (3) levels: local, state and national.

Project Period

Awarded projects may begin on July 1, 2024 and must end by June 30, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• Public schools and school districts (PreK-12) (includes Intermediate Units and Charter Schools)
• Incorporated private schools (under limited circumstances, private religious schools may be exempted from the incorporation requirement)
• Incorporated conservation and education organizations and institutions
• Universities and colleges
• County conservation districts
• Incorporated nonprofit organizations
• Businesses (must be registered to do business in Pennsylvania)

For more information, visit DEP.