  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - May 19, 2009
09-115
OLYMPIA – Fifteen Southwest Washington public and private schools will receive cash awards in Olympia on May 21, 2009, for their outstanding environmental programs.
The Terry Husseman School Awards program, presented by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology), recognizes schools annually for developing and implementing innovative curricula, sustaining ongoing waste reduction efforts, or starting new environmental programs.
This was the first year private schools were eligible to compete in the environmental awards program. Of the 67 applications received, 12 were from private schools and 11 received awards.
The schools will receive their awards from Ecology Deputy Director Polly Zehm at 10:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the Department of Social and Health Services headquarters building in Olympia. The ceremony celebrates exceptional efforts to conserve resources, reduce waste and preserve the environment. Some of the programs include habitat restoration, alternative energy projects, and recycling.
Award amounts range from $100 to $5,000. A total of more than $52,800 will be awarded across the state. The region’s school winners for the 2008-09 school year are listed below.
“This is a limited investment in our students and our schools that will have long-term benefits by building environmental infrastructure and teaching the concepts of stewardship and sustainable behaviors,” said Laurie Davies, manager of Ecology’s Solid Waste Program. “What they learn at school, they can practice at home, pass on to family and practice for a lifetime.”
The three categories of Terry Husseman awards are Seed Award, Sustainable School Award, and Environmental Curriculum Award.
The Seed Award helps schools with start-up costs for new programs in schools or the community.
Neah Bay Elementary – Clallam County. This school will use its award to reduce plastic bag use by providing canvas shopping bags with the school logo to students for their families; $1,200.
Lakes High School - Pierce County. This award will help the school start a cafeteria waste vermicomposting program; $865.
Maple Grove Middle – Clark County. This school will use its award to purchase organic garden tools and supplies; $800.
Prairie High – Clark County. This school’s award will help them start up a community newspaper recycling program; $2,000.
Skyridge Middle – Clark County. This school will use its award to purchase recycling bins and stations for offices and common areas; $1,700.
Pioneer Primary – Mason County. This school will use its award to purchase garden and vermicomposting equipment and supplies; $2,487.
Voyager, Artondale, Purdy Elementaries – Pierce County. These three schools will use their joint award to purchase worm composters, mulching materials, and tools; $2,000.
Olympia High – Thurston County. This school’s award is to cover the costs of a recycling sorting station and clear view bags for a collection system; $1,000.
Cape Horn-Skye Elementary -- Skamania County. This school’s award will be used for the purchase of composters, educational materials and supplies; $1,302.
The Sustainable School Award recognizes schools that focus on waste reduction, recycling and sustainability.
Aberdeen High – Grays Harbor County. Aberdeen High School is in Grays Harbor County. In addition to its constantly evolving recycling program, students maintain a greenhouse and rely on organic fertilizers and composting techniques; $300.
White Pass Jr./Sr. – Lewis County. Students with learning disabilities operate this school’s program. They develop understanding of environmental issues by participating in the recycling program and related activities; $200.
Curtis High – Pierce County. At this school, students are constantly increasing the scope of their recycling efforts. They also have an organic garden and are involved in stream restoration projects; $300.
Washington-Hoyt Elementary – Pierce County. This school’s program was initiated by parents and promotes conservation. The goal is to be a pilot program for the Tacoma School District; $300.
New Market Skills Center – Thurston County. This school has an extensive recycling program that is expanding to include cafeteria waste; $500.
New Market also received an Environmental Curriculum Award for its Environmental Explorations curriculum. Students identify, investigate, and analyze environmental problems to evaluate the risks associated with these problems. They explore alternative and sustainable solutions for preventing and solving problems. Students work with industry and agency professionals while learning about environmental management standards and conducting research in hands-on settings; $500.
Tenino High – Thurston County. This school’s innovative program involves recycling of paper, plastic and aluminum, keeping more than three tons of material out of the landfills; $200.
###
Media Contacts:
Kim Schmanke, media relations, 360-407-6239
Kathy Davis, media relations, 360-407-6149
Michelle Payne, Sustainable School Awards coordinator, 360-407-6129
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
