35 Watershed Education grants awarded

MARGARETVILLE, N.Y., April 26, 2006 - Thirty-five Watershed Education grants totaling $162,564 were approved by the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) Board of Directors April 25.

The grants, ranging from $750 to $10,000, will go to schools and non-profit organizations in New York City and its West-of-Hudson Watershed. They are intended to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of clean water, the City’s vast water delivery system, and the upstate Watershed which supplies 90 percent of the water consumed by nine million people.

A 13-member Public Education Advisory Group (PEAG) evaluated the proposals in this ninth round of funding.

The current grants, which must also be approved by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), will fund projects planned by the following schools and institutions:

Upstate (Catskill-Delaware Watershed)

Bennett Elementary School, South Kortright Central School, Delaware Academy & Central School, Hunter-Tannersville Central School, Jefferson Central School, Roxbury Central School, Roxbury Arts Group, Andes Central School (two projects), Gilboa-Conesville Central School, Liberty Central School (two projects), Phoenicia Elementary School, Sidney Central School, JUCMS Inc. (Indie Program at Onteora), and Walton Central School. The Pine Hill Community Center, Zadock Pratt Museum, Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, and the Research Foundation of SUNY (New Paltz) also received grants

New York City

Friends of PS 166 (two projects), South Street Seaport, School Community Council of PS3, PS 19, Bronx Academy High School, Earth School, Rocking the Boat and Phipps Community Development Corp.

The Museum of the City of New York, the Research Foundation of CUNY (Brooklyn College), the National Audubon Society and the Council on the Environment of New York City were awarded grants which will involve and benefit students and teachers both in the Watershed and in New York City.

The New York City-based Trout Unlimited office was awarded a grant to allow greater outreach among Watershed schools participating in Trout in the Classsroom.

Clearpool Environmental Education Center in Carmel also received funding to serve New York City schools on study visits to its Putnam County facility.

For more information on past Watershed Education Grants and related programs, consult the Catskill-NYC Watershed Educators Network web site, www.WatershEducators.org

Clearpool Environmental Education Center in Carmel also received funding to serve New York City schools on study visits to its Putnam County facility.

To learn more about the CWC and its environmental protection, economic development and education programs, go to www.cwconline.org , or call 845-586-1400, or toll-free, 1-877-WAT-SHED.