FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 16, 2009
Lowcountry school partnership receives Champions of the Environment grant
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The LowCountry Institute has been awarded a $2,000 Champions of the Environment grant for a project it will carry out in partnership with Whale Branch Middle School in Seabrook, S.C., the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
“‘Habitat Enhancement for Native Birds’ will address loss of habitat, which is one of the main factors contributing to the decline of native bird populations,” said Kristen Mattson, environmental educator with LCI.
“In an area of the state where wildlife habitats are under increasing pressure from development, it is great that students can help conserve native bird populations by ensuring adequate shelter, nesting space, food, and water,” said Lynne LaSalle, coordinator for Champions of the Environment.
According to LaSalle, LowCountry Institute staff will work with teachers and middle school students to plant native plants that will provide birds with food and nesting materials. Students will also build and place birdhouses and bird feeders on the Whale Branch Middle School campus.
In addition to the grant, these Champions will receive other rewards including a feature on the Champions’ Web site, and a commercial about the project to be aired on WIS-TV in Columbia and WCSC-TV in Charleston.
Champions of the Environment supports environmental action in South Carolina’s kindergarten through 12th grade students through its grant award program. Champions is sponsored by DHEC, Eastman Chemical Company, International Paper, WCSC-TV, and WIS-TV, with assistance from the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina. Applications for Champions’ next round of grants are due January 15.
For more information, visit the Champions Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/champions, or call LaSalle at (803) 898-4394.
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For more information:
Lynne LaSalle - (803) 898-4394
E-mail - lasallli@dhec.sc.gov
or
Adam Myrick - (803) 898-3884
E-mail - myrickar@dhec.sc.gov
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