Erie County Times

Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) announced today that Erie’s public schools have received nearly $10,000 in funding through Pennsylvania’s Environmental Education Grant Program to promote environmental education and stewardship.

A $5,000 grant was awarded to the Foundation for Erie’s Public Schools for “Exploring Climate Change Through Community Field Experiences.” This initiative will host six different field experiences for elementary school students and their family members, aiming to increase awareness and explore solutions that lead to a Climate Action project.

Additionally, the School District of the City of Erie was awarded $4,980 for the “2024-2025 Residential Garden Program.” This program is designed for middle school students who will participate in the Erie Farm to School Garden Club program. Students will learn about home gardening, water conservation, and stormwater management.

The grants are administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The program provides funding to support a wide range of environmental education projects including hands-on programs for students, teacher training workshops, and community conservation projects for adults. It is funded by a portion of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the DEP, with more than $13 million provided through the program since its inception.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact: David Kozak 717-787-8927