 tudents who are currently enrolled in kindergarten through 12th
grade at a public, private or home school and who have
participated in an environmental project that was started no
earlier than 2007 are eligible to apply for the Green Youth
Award. Clubs and organizations such as Scouts and 4-H are also
encouraged to apply.
To be eligible for recognition, projects must involve one or
more of the following categories: waste reduction; prevention or
reduction of pollution in the air (global warming, climate
change), land or water; restoration, preservation or enhancement
of natural areas; and energy or water efficiency.
Examples of past winning
projects include:
-
Waste
reduction: a schoolwide recycling program that encouraged
not only recycling, but also waste reduction and
environmental education.
-
Reducing water
pollution: a storm sewer stenciling project.
-
Restoration or
preservation: the creation of a wetland area.
-
Energy
efficiency: schoolwide energy audit and facilitation guide.
"If you have recently been involved in an environmental or
conservation project, I encourage you to apply for a governor's
Green Youth Award," said Scott. "I also appreciate teachers who
promote these projects in their classrooms, as they reinforce to
Illinois' youth the value of protecting the environment."
This spring, awards will be presented at a special ceremony
in Springfield hosted by the Illinois EPA. Winners will also
receive tickets to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and
Museum in Springfield. An application and additional information
about the program are available at
http://www.epa.state.il.us/green-youth/ or by calling
217-557-7826. Applications are due by March 20.
[Text from
Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
