Environmental Projects
Radical Renovation: School Edition initiative
Ford Motor Company has
joined with National Geographic to create the Radical Renovation: School
Edition initiative, a new program that asks elementary school students how they
would make their school more environmentally friendly.
Teachers across the United States are encouraged to submit their students'
vision of a sustainable, eco-friendly school for a chance to win $100,000
for eco-renovations.
Applicants must be kindergarten through sixth grade teachers at a public or
private school entering the contest on behalf of his/her class.
See the National Geographic Web site for complete program information.
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Nomination Deadline: April 30, 2024
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2005
awards. The Barron Prize recognizes young people ages 8 to 18 in the U.S.
and Canada who have shown leadership and courage in public service to people
and our planet. Each year, ten winners each receive $2,000 to support their
service work or higher education. Half of each year's winners are chosen for
their work on behalf of the environment.
Greenworks Grants
Greenworks Grants of $200 - $2,000 are available from Project Learning Tree
at the national level, for projects involving youth, adults in communities,
with positive environmental effects. Someone trained in
Project Learning Tree activities should be
involved. Tip: Request a letter of support from Sue Wintering in the Ohio
PLT office, 614-265-6657 or [email protected]
WILD School Grants
WILD School Sites grants of up to $500 are available from the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, with applications accepted between
January 1 and May 31. Project director must have completed either Project
WILD of Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife training. See also the national
WILD School Sites Website
for good supporting information. Tip: Submit early, only ten are available
this year.
Toyota Tapestry Grants
Toyota Tapestry grants up to $50,000 and mini grants up to $2,500 are
available to science teachers and administered by the National Science
Teachers Association.
Learn and Serve Ohio Grants
Learn and Serve Ohio grants are available through the Ohio Department of
Education for schools to develop service learning programs to help students
and communities address education, public safety, human and environmental
needs. Ohio schools can apply for up to seven years of continuous funding,
through different types of grants, for a total of $133,000. Contact Charlotte
Jones-Ward, (614) 466-8920.
Ohio Environmental Education Fund Mini Grants
Ohio Environmental Education Fund mini grants of $500 - $5,000 are offered by
the Ohio EPA Office of Environmental Education, with application deadlines
every January 15 and July 15. Projects must show how education activities
will align with Ohio's Academic Content Standards. Construction activities
are not eligible. Larger grants up to $50,000 are also available, but much
more competitive. Tip: Submit a draft early to the OEEF staff for a
pre-review. (614) 644-2873.
Ohio EPA 319 Grants
Ohio EPA 319 grants (named for Section 319 of the Clean Water Act) pass federal
funds through to local watershed organizations to improve water quality.
These sometimes include funding for education components. Contact your
local watershed coordinator. Tip: Find your watershed coordinator via the
Ohio Watershed Network.
US EPA Environmental Education Grants
US EPA Environmental Education grants are awarded through both the national
Office of Environmental Education and smaller grants (but less competition)
through the Region 5 office in Chicago (contact Megan Gavin at [email protected]).
Application is usually announced in the Federal Register in September, with
deadlines in November. Tip: Pay attention, this program's funding is
perennially in jeopardy in the federal budget process.
NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund Grants
NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund grants are available for ecological
restoration projects, in the service area of Columbia Gas of Ohio. Application
deadline is usually in February. Largest grant awards are $10,000, most
under $5,000. Tip: Involve a local university's biology program or agency
such as OSU Extension, your Soil and Water Conservation District or Park
District, or garden clubs, The Nature Conservancy, or other sources of
scientific expertise to help document the ecological benefits of the project.
Plant Pride Not Litter (PDF)
Organize a litter pick up for Ohio's litter prevention month in April. Help your
neighborhood, school or local park look beautiful by being litter free. Earn
trees that benefit wildlife and/or are native to the region to plant at the school.
Over time this program will provide different species of trees to help create
outdoor learning labs.
Youth Venture
Youth Venture provides seed
money grants of up to $1,000 for new youth-created, youth-led, sustainable
ventures that benefit the community. Youth ages 12-20 who want to start a
new ongoing environmental club or organization can get guidance on how to
plan, organize, and launch their venture, along with funds for start-up
expenses. Visit the website
to get information and start the application process.
Dow Social Responsibility Fund
The Dow Chemical Company has made available
$20 million in grant funds
to support proposed initiatives concentrating on math and science, teacher
training and parental involvement for K-12 school districts. Grant proposals
should focus on giving K-12 students science and engineering experiences,
giving teachers the training to provide these experiences and fostering
parental and community involvement. School districts and school boards
nationwide, as well as programs that promote systemic education reform in
math and science, are eligible to apply. Special attention is given to
school districts around communities where Dow is located.
Braitmayer Foundation K-12 Education Grants
The Braitmayer Foundation offers
grants of up to $10,000
to fund a broad range of K-12 education programs. The foundation is particularly
interested in curricular reform initiatives and professional development
opportunities for teachers, particularly those encouraging people of high ability
and diverse background to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. All K-12 schools in
the United States, as well as independent 501(c)3 organizations with an
education focus, are eligible.
A Guide to Understanding a Sense of Place
The Guide explores the concepts of community and culture and provides tools
for identifying, assessing, and working cooperatively within the social
dynamics and local values connected to environmental protection. These
tools also help individuals define community, identify stakeholders, enhance
education and outreach, build partnerships and consensus, identify
resources, plan and set goals, and integrate local realities with ecological
issues. The Guide is designed for people involved in community-based
initiatives, including those affiliated with community and watershed-based
organizations, universities, and federal, state, tribal, and local agencies.
For more information about the Guide or Community Culture and the
Environment trainings, send an email to
[email protected],
call 410.356-8993 or visit the
EPA's site.
To request a FREE copy of the Guide (publication number EPA 842-B-01-003),
call the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) at
1.800.490.9198 or visit the EPA's site.
A Bird's Eye View
The American Birding Association's youth program
includes a Young Birder of
the Year Contest with 4 modules (essay, field notebook, illustration, and
bird photography) that are adaptable for classroom use, a Scholarship
Program to subsidize attendance at summer camps, a bi-monthly newsletter
called A Bird's-Eye View which is written by and for young birders, and
Youth BirdQuest and Tropicbirds teams which are bird-a-thon events that
combine education, conservation and fund-raising components that are
designed to get young people out into the field to learn more about birds
and raise awareness about bird conservation issues.
Please contact Brete Griffin for more information.
The Green Squad
The Green Squad web site
gives kids the tools and skills they need to help
locate, and solve, environmental and health problems in their schools. The
site is designed primarily for students in fifth through eighth grade, but
also offers information for younger and older students as well as parents
and teachers. The Green Squad is a collaborative project of the Natural
Resources Defense Council and the Healthy Schools Network (HSN) and is
available in English and Spanish.
Ecological Literacy Project
The Ecological Literacy Project
engages middle and high school students in a
science-based exploration of their local environment and trains them in
professional radio production. With guidance from radio professionals from
Living On Earth, National Public Radio's weekly environmental news program,
students produce compelling, original audio journalism about topics relevant
to their own lives. Their work is broadcast over local and national radio
and is featured on Living On Earth's website.
Schools Go Green
The Center for Environmental Education of Antioch New England Graduate
School has launched
Green Schools Guidelines,
a new initiative for spreading the word about exciting
projects kids and schools are doing for environmental preservation. For the
next year they will be regularly showcasing the great work of schools who
are partnered with the
Center for Environmental Education.
The purpose of this initiative is to spark ideas for other great projects, and
to encourage long term support for the Schools Go Green Grant program.
Toshiba America Foundation Grants
The Toshiba America Foundation encourages programs, projects and activities
that have the potential to improve classroom teaching and learning of
science, mathematics and the science and mathematics of technology. Funding
is available for private and public schools, grades 7 - 12. Applications for
small grants ($5,000 or less) are accepted year round. Applications and
guidelines are available online as a PDF.
Community Tree Planting Grant
The National Tree Trust,
a non-profit tree planting organization, has grants
available for tree seedlings through the Community Tree Planting program.
Seedlings are available for delivery January through April 2003. Seedlings
are allocated on a first come, first served basis. The main requirements of
the grant include: planting trees on public land, utilizing volunteers for
planting and/or maintaining seedlings, obtaining matching funds, and two
years of annual
reporting.
Pennies for the Planet
World Wildlife Fund's 2002-2003
Pennies for the Planet
program targets three outstanding places from the Global 200 - the Everglades and South
Florida, the Atlantic Forest, and the Miombo Woodlands . The program teaches
students about what biodiversity is, why it's so important, and international efforts
to protect it. Activities and support materials are available from the
Pennies for the Planet web site.
Think Earth
The Think Earth Environmental Education Foundation
released a new and improved web site and interactive database. The new site
enables Think Earth to coordinate the work of environmental educators and
members of school-based environmental clubs, and promote the use of high quality
environmental education materials. Environmental education organizations,
clubs, students (6-12), and educators are invited to register with the
Think Earth database free of charge and become a part of the Think Earth
network.
Site features include peer reviews of Environmental Education materials, an
online calendar of events, a searchable database of EE organizations, programs
and clubs, and a new site design.
Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN)
Earth Force GREEN has launched a new,
interactive resource allowing users to:
- Enter, analyze and share the watershed data they collect;
- Access interactive maps, calendars, guides and resources;
- Download classroom activities;
- Keep an ongoing project log to track progress made towards solving a
watershed problem; and,
- Share pictures and stories of your group in action.
Local watershed organizations can partner with Earth Force GREEN to create
customized web pages where they can track the progress of water monitors working
with their program. Contact [email protected]
for more information.
Solar Schools - Bright Ideas
The Solar Schools program
enhances student learning with solar technology at
your school. Students benefit with hands-on learning in science, math and
business. The community around the school is involved through funding raising
and installation. The program supports the installation of solar energy
systems on school grounds, provides solar technology curriculum ideas and
resources and assists with developing the necessary partnership to make the
initiative happen. This program is sponsored through and the
U.S. Department of Energy.
Call #312-353-6749 for a local contact in
The Ohio Energy Project.
Classroom Resources
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