Sutdents at Caughman Road Elementary School are becoming environmental stewards with the support of a Conservation Education Mini-Grant from RSWCD.
Columbia, SC – Students at four Richland County schools will experience hands-on environmental education this school year, thanks to the financial support provided by Conservation Education Mini-Grants administered by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD). Funding for these projects was provided by Friends of RSWCD and The Bee Cause Project.
Twice each year, RSWCD offers Conservation Education Mini-Grants to support youth education initiatives at Richland County schools. Projects, participating schools and their respective grant awards for the spring 2024 semester are:
Caughman Road Elementary School - $1,000
Montessori School Garden
Funding provided by Friends of RSWCD
Project Lead: Yshay Fuller, Lower Elementary Teacher
Richland Two Institute of Innovation - $1,000
Agrivoltaic Pollinator Garden
Funding provided by a Habitat Grant from The Bee Cause Project
Project Lead: Kirstin Bullington, Next Energy Engineering Instructor
Satchel Ford Elementary School - $1,000
Farmstand Hydroponics Growing System
Funding provided by Friends of RSWCD
Project Lead: Kelly Cyr, Science Coordinator
W.G. Sanders Middle School - $1,000
Café-Juice: A Sustainable Cafeteria Initiative
Funding provided by Friends of RSWCD
Project Lead: Sharlene Brown, Science Teacher
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of schools seeking funding for hands-on conservation projects in recent years,” says Chanda Cooper, conservation education analyst for RSWCD. “I’m really grateful our partners at The Bee Cause Project were able to step in and help RSWCD support an additional school this spring!”
The Bee Cause Project is a non-profit organization that inspires the next generation of environmental stewards while protecting our planet’s precious pollinators. Their STEAM-based curriculum, educational beehives, grants, and international network build learning opportunities in classrooms and communities around the world.
“We are thrilled to support Ms. Bullington and this student-led project to feed the local pollinators while also harnessing solar energy on their school campus,” says Emilee Elingburg, director of educational programs for The Bee Cause Project. “Our planet's food systems depend on the smallest creatures and it will take a lot of passionate students and educators to continue to teach that message to the world.”
The Bee Cause Project joins forces with Friends of the RSWCD—individual donors, businesses, and community groups who support the work of RSWCD programs through annual financial contributions—to fund this semester’s Conservation Education Mini-Grants.
RSWCD promotes the wise use and care of natural resources--with a focus on soil and water--for long-term sustainability in a changing environment. Richland County supports RSWCD’s work with staff and other resources. To learn more about the programs of the RSWCD, including Conservation Education Mini-Grants, and how you can support conservation education efforts such as these through the Friends of the RSWCD program, visit www.richlandcountysc.gov/rswcd.
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Conservation districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member boards of commissioners. The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise use and care of natural resources--with a focus on soil and water--for long-term sustainability in a changing environment.
Contact
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District
2020 Hampton Street, Room 3063A
Columbia, SC 29204
Phone (803) 576-2084
Fax (803) 576-2088
E-mail soilandwater@richlandcountysc.gov
Facebook www.facebook.com/rswcd
Instagram www.instagram.com/richland_swcd/