Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 4
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Environmental Education
Project Title:
Environmental Education
Project Description as Proposed:
This project continues the work begun in 1989 to educate and train coastal area citizens, educators, local government staff, and students with the goal to effect positive behavior changes toward the environment. A wide variety of successful programs have been established and are maintained by the Office of Environmental Education: the Virginia Bay Communications and Education Plan, the Annual Environmental Education Conference, the Environmental Education Resources Directory (catalog and online database), the Standards of Learning Implementation Project, the Virginia Natural Resources Education Guide, Project WET, the River of Words Watershed Contest, the Kid's CAVE (Caving About Virginia's Environment), Pollution Solutions, and the Children's Ground Water Festival. Staff will work closely with the Coastal Program Outreach Coordinator and other agencies to ensure effective information sharing, broad promotion of program materials, and linkages among state and local education programs. A major activity of this grant is the delivery of Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), to local partners and educators. Project WET provides classroom and informal educators with age-appropriate curriculum and activities pertaining to all aspects of water science and resources management. Workshops are conducted, outreach materials produced and interagency programs coordinated to reach approximately 2,000 educators and thousands of citizens annually. Virginia's business plan for environmental education, which includes specific strategies, is being developed and will be championed by the office.
Federal Funding:
$100,000.00
Project Contact:
Ann Regn, 804.698.4442
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
This
project continues the work begun in 1989 to build capacity for delivering
environmental education in communities throughout Virginia, especially
the coastal zone. The Virginia Office of Environmental Education
at DEQ educates citizens, educators, and students with the goal
to effect positive behavior changes toward the environment. The
major thrusts are: 1) providing current information to citizens,
educators, students, and other key audiences; and 2) "training
the trainer," i.e., training and motivating community leaders,
educators, youth group sponsors, volunteers, and others who in turn
work with citizens, community organizations, volunteers, teachers,
and students, and 3) coordinating the work of public and private
organizations to leverage resources and develop partnerships.
Much of the work is accomplished by staffing the interagency education
group and administering the Virginia Naturally program. Virginia
Naturally is the Commonwealth's network of 350 partners for environmental
education. Web hits to the main home page exceed 15,000 per year.
The staff also works closely with the Coastal Program's Outreach
Coordinator to ensure effective information sharing, broad promotion
of program materials, and linkages among state and local education
programs.
The culmination of years of work was seen when the Virginia Board
of Education adopted new science SOLs in January 2003 that include
significant content on watersheds, water quality, Chesapeake Bay,
and air quality. Office Director Ann Regn serves as the chair for
the regional Chesapeake Bay Education Workgroup of the CB Education
and Communications Subcommittee. Agency staff worked with the Virginia
Environmental Education Commission to develop a business plan with
measurable goals and objectives for Environmental Education in the
Commonwealth. One of the common priorities in K-12, College and
Community sectors is meeting the education and restoration goals
of Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, especially the delivery of "meaningful"
environmental education. More than fifteen grants have been secured
by state and private agencies with VOEE's help to meet these commitments.
A new program funded by state and private monies allows teachers
to request small amounts of money $500-1,000 to conduct meaningful
watershed investigations. In January Office Director Ann Regn was
recognized for her work in environmental education by the Chesapeake
Bay Foundation as "Environmental Educator of the Year. "
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
