Project Task:

4

Grantee:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Office of Environmental Education

Project Title:

Environmental Education

Project Description as Proposed:

VOEE staff supported through this grant will continue to enhance environmental education in Virginia by: 1) training community environmental education leaders to work with different audiences to deliver quality programs related to coastal issues; 2) implementing Virginia’s Plan for Environmental Education, and  leveraging other federal funding resources; 3) coordinating implementation of Chesapeake Bay 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:

$92,267

Project Contact:

Ann M. Regn, 804.698.4442; Ann.Regn@deq.virginia.gov

Project Status:

10/1/2011 - 9/30/2012

Final Product Received:

Environmental Education in Virginia Final Report (pdf)

Project Summary Provided by Grantee:

This project supports positive behavior changes in citizens, communities, educators, and local government staff living in Virginia’s coastal zone through effective environmental education. The program was formalized in 2001 as the Virginia Office of Environmental Education (VOEE).  This task funded staff of the office - 50% of Ann Regn, program director and 50% of David Ruble, community environmental education coordinator.   The major goal of this program is to build the capacity of local and regional environmental educators to deliver quality environmental education within their communities. In 2011, to meet the public’s expectation for current, comprehensible, immediately accessible information, VOEE served approximately 1,650 educators.  These educators reached approximately 10,000 citizens and youth with programs and events.  

VOEE enhances environmental education efforts in Virginia by: 1) training community environmental education leaders to work with different audiences to deliver quality programs related to coastal and watershed issues; 2) implementing Virginia’s Plan for Environmental Education, and  leveraging other federal funding resources; 3) coordinating implementation of Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement education commitments; 4) strengthening communications among Virginia’s 1,000 environmental, aquatic 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”  and 7) providing curriculum resources for implementation of Virginia’s Science Standards of Learning.  Staff worked 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. 

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