  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - May 19, 2009
09-116
OLYMPIA – Two Central Washington 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.
Highlands Middle School -- Benton County. The school will use its award for a courtyard beautification project that will involve native plants and sustainable landscaping; $1,000.
Okanogan Detention Center -- Okanogan County. This school will use its award to purchase recycling and green waste collection containers, tools and supplies; $793.
###
Media Contacts:
Joye Redfield-Wilder, media relations, 509-575-2610
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.
