FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Lyz Hoffman, APCD Public Information Officer, (805) 961-8819
Steve Keithley, SBCEO Teacher Programs Director, (805) 964-4711 x5281
Kalani Durham, SBCWA Water Conservation Specialist, (805) 568-3448
Grants for Teachers for Environmental Classroom Projects
Applications for Care For Our Earth Grants are Due Friday, November 8
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and Santa Barbara County Water Agency (SBCWA) are pleased to announce the opening of applications for the 2019-2020 Care For Our Earth grants, which are due by Friday, November 8, 2019.
Santa Barbara County K-12 teachers are encouraged to apply for this year’s $300 mini-grants. The grants — funded by APCD and SBCWA, and implemented by SBCEO — have helped teachers share concepts about resource efficiency and alternative transportation with their students, which have also helped schools lower their utility bills and minimize traffic.
“It’s a privilege to work with teachers and students countywide and explore new ways to increase awareness of local air quality,” said APCD Director, Aeron Arlin Genet. “The mini grants are an excellent vehicle to spark new ideas and interest in our surroundings.”
Said County Water Agency Manager, Fray Crease, “These grants directly benefit our county classrooms to educate and inspire the future guardians of our planet. The Water Agency is pleased to be a part of this cooperative program.”
The 2018-2019 Care For Our Earth grants paid for 24 projects at 21 schools in Santa Barbara County. In the last 10-plus years since the program started, these grants have funded 268 projects across 87 schools throughout the county. Previous recipients have worked with their students, among other projects, to replace lawn with a sustainable garden on campus, test and compare car exhaust levels, create solar-powered ovens, map safe routes to walk and bike to school, compose songs about saving energy and water, capture rain water for reuse, learn about bicycle safety, and monitor classroom energy use.
“These grants facilitate creative teaching in classrooms around the county,” said Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, Susan Salcido. “With the funds provided, our talented educators bring important concepts to young minds and prepare them to tackle the environmental challenges ahead. We are grateful for our partnering agencies who have consistently supported innovative teaching in the area of environmental education.”
Visit the SBCEO’s website for more information, including this year’s application form and project examples from previous grant recipients.
