Irmo Middle School Composting Program

Columbia, SC—Students at four schools will have hands-on environmental experiences this spring with support from Conservation Education Mini-Grants from the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD).  These awards provide up to $250.00 for schoolyard conservation projects.  Spring award recipients are:

• Dutch Fork Middle School’s Junior Beta Club (Lori Wenzinger)—schoolyard habitat
• Irmo Middle School (Regan Moore)—composting program
• Logan Elementary School (Michelle Summers)—pollinator habitat
• Meadowfield Elementary School’s Kindergarten (Jamison Browder)–raised gardens

“Creating the [schoolyard habitat] will provide this year’s Junior Beta Club members a very meaningful service-learning project while promoting conservation education,” says Dutch Fork Middle School teacher Lori Wenzinger.  “Working collaboratively on this hands-on project will enhance environmental studies and encourage an appreciation for nature.” 

In a world where students average more than seven hours per day on entertainment media and only half as much time outdoors as did children 20 years ago, in-school initiatives that engage students in outdoor learning are vital.  “Environmental education is important, not only for the planet, but also for children’s academic, physical, mental, and emotional development,” says RSWCD educator Chanda Cooper.

Faculty and staff members of Richland County schools are eligible to apply for Conservation Education Mini-Grants to support campus conservation projects.  The next application deadline is October, 2015.  Details and the application are available online at www.rcgov.us/rswcd. 

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Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners. In South Carolina, Conservation District boundaries conform to County boundaries.  The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise planning and use of natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Richland County.

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