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Over $175k awarded to environmental education projects in Central Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded over $1 million for projects across the state that work to promote environmental stewardship, including several in Central Pennsylvania. The funding comes from the Environmental Education Grants program, which works to educate those who live or work in areas that are affected by climate change, air pollution, and water pollution. According to the DEP, 87% of projects that received funding will work to captivate youth and adults on those topics. $200,000 in scholarships awarded to Somerset seniors Here are local projects: Huntingdon County Pennsylvania State University was awarded $30,000 for the 'Penn State K-12 Sustainability Summit 2025.' The project will host 50 education leaders from 22 school districts to help increase sustainability efforts in the K-12 space. Blair and Huntingdon County Blair County Conservation District was awarded $30,000 for 'Regional Education on Healthy Soils, Riparian Buffers and Urban Green Spaces.' Interactive Stormwater Management programs and learning stations will be delivered to students, families and community members Somerset County Mountain Watershed Association was awarded $30,000 to conduct 'Expanding Outdoor Education in the Youghiogheny River Watershed' in multiple counties, including Somerset. The project will provide immersive hands-on programs, free community workshops, organized nature walks, fishing clinics, and service-learning opportunities. Centre County Pennsylvania State University was awarded $28,100 to deliver 'Equipping Educators through First Investigation of Stream Health Protocol Workshops.' Educators from multiple counties, including Centre County, will learn the First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) protocol and be provided supplies to guide middle and high school youth investigations. Jefferson County Pennsylvania State University was awarded $30,000 to deliver a 'Per-and Poly-Fluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) workshop for Extension Educators and Volunteers.' Participants from multiple counties, including Jefferson County, will learn about PFAs fundamentals and management and, in turn, deliver community education programs. Cambria and Somerset County The Watersmith Guild, Inc. was awarded $27,188 to provide 18 'First Waves' workshops in counties, including Cambria and Somerset counties. Youth will engage in river and stewardship experiences and create digital media documentary films about their adventures. 'These projects help connect people to the ways we can protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, and many of them encourage learning at any age, whether you're a kid or an adult,' DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said. 'Every grant we are awarding supports educational opportunities and will further improve people's connections to their environment.' You can read the full list of the 68 projects that received funding on the DEP website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.