Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 04
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Office of Environmental Education
Project Title:
Environmental Education
Project Description as Proposed:
This project continues the work begun in 1989 to maintain and coordinate state efforts to educate and train coastal area citizens, educators, local government staff, and students with the goal to effect positive behavior changes toward the environment. The office will provide staff support to the Virginia Environmental Education Commission and will facilitate implementation of Virginia's business plan for environmental education. The plan has prioritized state goals to strengthen and promote environmental education and is developing specific strategies and measurable targets. A major goal is to build local capacity toward delivering quality environmental education in each locality. Some of the specific work of the office includes implementation of the Virginia Bay Communications and Education Plan and tracking progress on education commitments of Chesapeake Agreement, maintaining the Virginia Naturally web site, implementing the environmental Standards of Learning and administering Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). Staff will work closely with the Coastal Program Outreach Coordinator, the Coastal Policy Team and other agencies to ensure effective information sharing, broad promotion of program materials, and linkages among state and local education programs.
Federal Funding:
$100,000
Project Contact:
Ann Regn, 804.698.4442, amregn@deq.virginia.gov
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
continues to maintain and coordinate state efforts to educate and
train coastal area citizens, educators, local government staff,
and students with the goal to effect positive behavior changes toward
the environment.
The office provided staff support to the Virginia Environmental
Education Commission and facilitated implementation of Virginia's
business plan for environmental education. In July, Governor Warner
accepted the plan which has prioritized state goals to strengthen
and promote environmental education and specific strategies and
measurable targets such as development of 100 outdoor classrooms
annually. One of the common priorities for the various sectors of
the business plan is meeting the education and restoration goals
of Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, especially the delivery of "meaningful"
environmental education. More than a twenty grants have been secured
by state and private agencies with VOEE's help to meet these commitments.
Virginia Classroom grant program, funded by state and private monies,
allows teachers to request small amounts of money $500-1,000 to
conduct meaningful watershed investigations.
Over the year, the office worked to implement the Virginia Bay Communications
and Education Plan, tracked progress on education commitments of
Chesapeake Agreement, maintained the Virginia Naturally web site,
offered support for the Bay, watershed and other environmental Standards
of Learning , administered Project WET (Water Education for Teachers),
and implemented the agency's communications and education plan.
One of DEQ's new strategic priorities is "an informed and engaged
public." EE staff traveled to each regional office to update
and train regional staff about education and outreach resources.
Staff also worked with the DEQ 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.
Much work was 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. The office supports individual EE providers as well as
regional networks in Hampton Roads (Hampton Roads EE Alliance) and
on the Eastern Shore by acting as a communication hub and liasion
between formal and nonformal educators. Web hits to the main home
page exceed 15,000 per year.
In April Office Director Ann Regn was recognized "Outstanding
Environmental Leader" for work in environmental education by
the Environment Virginia 2004.
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
