Columbia, SC—Conservation projects at five local schools will receive funding through the Conservation Education Mini-Grant and Clean Stream Columbia Programs sponsored by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District and the City of Columbia.  These award programs provide up to $250 in support of environmental efforts at Richland County schools.  This year’s recipients are:

• Bradley Elementary School* (Elizabeth Russell)—Plantings to Reduce Runoff and Provide Habitat
• Catawba Trail Elementary School (Jogie Love)—School Gardens
• Dutch Fork Elementary School (Amy Umberger)—Environmental Science Fair
• Lower Richland High School (Constantina Green)—Indoor Air Quality Campaign
• Ridge View High School (David Degenhardt)—School Gardens
  *Denotes Clean Stream Columbia Award Recipient

“We believe that if [our] students can participate in hands on experiences throughout the year then they will be motivated to take care of the earth throughout their lifetime,” says Jogie Love, Kindergarten Teacher and award recipient at Catawba Trail Elementary School.  The school’s gardening project “will teach the students how to take care of plants [as well as] the different habitats of animals and what they need to survive.”  Additionally, students will learn “patience, team building, cooperation, perseverance and many other great character traits,” says Love. 

Faculty and staff members of Richland County schools are eligible to apply for Conservation Education Mini-Grants and Clean Stream Columbia Awards to support campus conservation projects.  The next application deadline is February 15, 2016.  Details and the application are available online at www.rcgov.us/rswcd. For more information, contact Chanda Cooper at cooperc@rcgov.us.

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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 of natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Richland County.

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