Still Surprising
When outsiders see it too
I applied for a journalism fellowship to build a free resource for journalists. While I didn't advance in the selection process, I continued to develop the idea.
I moved forward to establish a connection between journalists and environmental and sustainability experts, without the money or platform I thought I needed. I asked journalists questions and used their feedback to continue developing the idea. The result caught the attention of both journalists and practitioners, and soon I connected a journalist with an expert.
This personalized approach is what it looks like at the scale of one person.
Here is what it can look like on a larger scale.
Funded Projects
I bet you see environmental education (EE) in places most people don't. It's always surprising to me when so-called "outsiders" see EE in these places, too. It shouldn't be surprising, but it is. Here's the surprise I want to share with you today.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has recognized the efforts of 46 environmental education projects. Projects include summer camps, field research, and outdoor learning experiences. Reviewing the projects, it's clear that environmental skills are being applied in diverse ways. The projects address 39 distinct issues. They include: land management, air quality and engineering, hydroponics and solar energy, stormwater management, phytoremediation and heavy metal removal, environmental documentary filmmaking, women's health, and horticulture. You can view the list of 46 programs, their objectives, and the amount each received online.
Environmental education practitioners possess skills relevant to many fields. These projects and the funds they received serve as an example of what it looks like when institutions recognize this fact.
How has environmental education crossed over to other fields in your region?
How has it changed for you personally?
