Title
Authorization to Apply for US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education Local Grants Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to authorize staff to submit a grant application to the EPA to create a conservation work program for high school students.
Report
Issue:
Whether to submit a grant application in the amount of $91,000 to the EPA to create a conservation work program for high school students.
Staff Contact:
Joe Roush, Environmental Services Supervisor, Public Works - Water Resources, 360.753.8563
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar item
Background and Analysis:
The purpose of the EPA Environmental Education Local Grants Program is to support local environmental education projects. EPA expects projects to increase public awareness of environmental issues and provide participants with skills to make informed environmental decisions.
If the City receives the grant, staff will use the funds to further develop the Olympia Conservation Corps. The Olympia Conservation Corps was a pilot project between Community Youth Services (CYS) and the City of Olympia in 2011 and 2012. The original pilot program hired high school students to perform conservation-related work for the City. It also provided positive mentoring for the participants. Some members of the City Council may remember the oak bench built by the participants and presented to the City Council in 2012.
Staff proposes to host a team of high school students to do conservation work in 2017. We plan to develop a more formal mentoring program using the Garden Raised Bounty (GRuB) youth mentoring program as a model. Staff participated in GRuB's Youth mentoring institute (see hyperlink) and is working closely with GRuB to scope this work effort. Grant funds will be used for program development, staff training and student (corps member) stipends.
Besides creating...
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