Better education on environmental issues purpose of grants
The county conservation districts in Fayette and Greene counties were among 129 recipients of state grants totaling $738,965 to create and develop projects that enhance environmental education in the state, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced this week. The DEP awarded the grants to schools, universities, nonprofit organizations and county conservation districts across the state for projects ranging from creative, hands-on lessons for students to teacher-training programs and ecological education for adults. Education and training topics include watersheds, wetlands, Pennsylvania ecosystems and renewable and nonrenewable energy resources.
The Fayette County Conservation District was awarded a $5,000 grant for a no-till drill rental program for agriculture producers. The tool will reduce soil erosion and help reduce nonpoint source pollution by reducing nutrient runoff, according to the DEP.
According to Chris Rerko, agriculture coordinator with the district, the program allows farmers and others to rent equipment that will save costs for them as well as preserve the environment.
The conservation district initiated the program about two years ago with the help of a $15,000 Growing Greener state grant and donations from the Fayette County Cattleman’s Association and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.
Rerko described the no-till drill as “a cheap and economical alternative” that helps to eliminate plow tillage from the work of farmers and people who are creating wildlife habitat.
The no-till drill reduces the potential of sediments being washed into the streams, which helps keep the water clean and aquatic life unharmed, Rerko said.
He said he thinks the program will be a big success.
“With diesel fuel as high as it is, farmers are looking at ways they can cut costs,” he said. “This is the first time the district has had something like this going on and we’re hoping we can expand it. This can benefit the big guy as well the mid- to small-range guys.”
The 7-foot Great Plains drill is available to rent now. A fee is charged to rent it. Those interested can call the conservation district at 724-438-4497.
The Greene County Conservation District was awarded a $20,000 grant to educate the public through workshops, Web sites, field trips and meetings about alternative energy technologies.
“We want to try to be as all-encompassing as we can and we want people to be aware of what’s out there as far as alternative energy,” said conservation district manager Martin Niverth. “We’re going to gear the education to Greene County. There are some resources we can’t take advantage of.”
The conservation district plans to hold demonstrations to educate the public on a particular technology, such as solar wind. A schedule of events has yet to be set.
The topic of alternative energy should engage everyone – from homeowners to farmers to municipal leaders or anyone interested in offsetting their energy bill, said Niverth.
“And we want to make it a lasting thing,” he added.
With that in mind, another program goal is to establish a user-friendly database to educate people on alternative energy technology, finances involved with it and who to contact to start the process.
Niverth agreed the program reflects a national trend to make America more self-sufficient in providing its energy needs.
The planned education programs funded through the grant are the initial step to educating the public on ways they can lower their energy costs, Niverth said.
“We want something in place that’s going to grow and going to exist,” he said. “We’re bringing in money from Harrisburg for a worthy cause.”
Westmoreland County also was awarded two grants: $1,500 to the Westmoreland County Conservation District for a Sustainable Energy Field Day featuring energy conservation in buildings, and $1,500 to St. Vincent College to support watershed and mine drainage education workshops for elementary, secondary and environmental education teachers.
Since inception of the program, the DEP has awarded almost $4 million in grants to support the environmental education efforts of schools, county conservation districts and other nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
The program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates setting aside 5 percent of the pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the DEP for environmental education in Pennsylvania.
For more information on environmental education, visit the DEP’s Web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: “EE Grants.”