Project Task:
4
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Office of Environmental Education
Project Title:
Environmental Education
Project Description as Proposed:
This project coordinates state efforts to educate citizens, communities, educators, and local government staff living in Virginia’s coastal zone and affects positive behavior changes toward the environment. The program was formalized in 2001 as the Virginia Office of Environmental Education (OEE). This task includes 50% of the program director and 56% of the community environmental education coordinator. A major goal of the project is to build the capacity of local and regional environmental educators to deliver quality environmental education within their communities. In 2009, to meet the public’s expectation for current, comprehensible, immediately accessible information, Virginia OEE will 1) develop a Virginia Public Climate Change Education Training Program; 2) update Virginia’s master plan for environmental literacy; and 3) continue supporting regional environmental education alliances or partnerships such as the Hampton Roads Alliance for Environmental Education.
OEE staff supported through this grant also will continue to enhance environmental education in Virginia by: 1) training community environmental educators to work with different audiences to deliver quality programs; 2) updating Virginia’s Plan for Environmental Education, and leveraging other federal funding resources; 3) coordinating implementation of Chesapeake Agreement education commitments; 4) strengthening communications among Virginia’s 1,000 environmental, bay and marine educators though the Virginia Naturally program; 5) administering agency and inter-agency water education programs; and 6) supporting the Department of Environmental Quality’s communication and education goal of an “informed and engaged citizenry.” Staff will work closely with the office of the Virginia CZM Program and the program’s network partners to ensure effective information sharing, broad promotion of program materials, and linkages among state and local education programs.
Federal Funding:
$92,295
Project Contact:
Ann M. Regn, 804.698.4442; Ann.Regn@deq.virginia.gov
Project Status:
10/1/2009 - 9/30/2010; Project Completed
Final Product Received:
Community Environmental Education in Virginia Final Report (October 1, 2009 - September 30, 2010) (pdf)
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The mission of the Virginia Office of Environmental Education (OEE) is to build capacity for delivery of effective environmental education across the Commonwealth. To achieve this, during this grant (1) the OEE Director coordinated an assessment and revision of the state’s master plan for Environmental Education – “A Business Plan for Environmental Education in the Commonwealth of Virginia”; (2) the OEE Community Education Specialist completed the development of a scripted Public Climate Change PowerPoint Presentation for Virginians and revised the “25 Ways to Help Virginia’s Environment” to “5 Ways to Help Virginia’s Environment”; (3) the OEE staff coordinated and conducted workshops, events and meetings focused on helping the Virginia CZM Program meet its goals and priorities related to water resources.
Results In 2009, 932 people were directly trained by OEE. Topics included: surface and ground water quality, cultural and historical water uses, nutrient sources and controls, domestic wastewater treatment, as well as management and protection of freshwater, riparian, wetland, beach, and estuarine habitats. Two focus groups were convened to discuss and evaluate progress being made in achieving the objectives of the Virginia master plan for environmental education. 48 experienced non-formal educators received training specific to air quality and climate science which included the “Introduction to Climate Science for Virginians”.
Deliverables
- Introduction to Climate Science Power Point presentation and script -
48 slide presentation with accompanying script. Presentation is designed for a public audience and takes 45-60 minutes to deliver.
- 5 Ways to Help Virginia’s Environment -
4-page publication that provides tips on how to conserve natural resources based on food, housing, transportation, and behavior choices.
Updated Carbon Footprint page on the Virginia Naturally website titled “Air Pollution & Environmental Quality” http://www.vanaturally.com/vanaturally/comm_air.html
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