Online colleges and universities may benefit from environmental education grants

Online colleges and universities may benefit from environmental education grants

Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced that it will allow colleges, universities, online schools, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations and business to apply for funding from its 2010 Environmental Education Grants program.

The DEP will award grants worth up to $7,500 to applicants interested in creating or developing programs that address current environmental issues. Topics currently under consideration include air quality, sustainable energy sources and technologies as well as watershed and wetland preservation.

In August, the department gave 60 groups grants totaling $356,723 through its 2009 program. The grants are funded by a mandate in the Environmental Education Act of 1993 that requires 5 percent of air pollution fines to go toward environmental education.

Jack Farster, environmental education director for the Pennsylvania DEP, said the grants are intended to "[provide] opportunities for all Pennsylvanians, to increase their understanding of environmental issues" in order to [promote] lifelong stewardship."

Interested parties may apply for the grants through December 18 by contacting the DEP.

Such programs may increase offerings available to those interested in pursuing on-campus or online degrees in environmental science.