(File Photo of Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) According to a release from Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.’s office, three community projects in Beaver and Lawrence Counties got awarded over $53,000. This money was from the Pennsylvania state Environmental Education Grants Program. The Summer Sustainability Institiute program from RiverWise in Beaver County got $19,180. The Ellwood City Area School District and the Lawrence County Conservation District also received separate funds, and according to that same release from Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.’s office, here are some more details about the money earned and the projects that they help:

Beaver County

RiverWise was awarded $19,180 to host a “Summer Sustainability Institute” for middle and high school students, who will be engaged in hands-on learning, create video interviews, and write sustainability-themed articles.

Lawrence County

Ellwood City Area School District was awarded $29,250 to launch a comprehensive aquaponics program that fosters environmental literacy and stewardship. Students will be engaged in hands-on PA STEELS standards aligned experiences focusing on water and wastewater runoff.

Lawrence County Conservation District was awarded $4.905 to host Summer Nature Camp for ages 8-11 and Advanced Nature Camp for ages 12-17, featuring a variety age-appropriate hands-on activities that address the relationship between water quality issues and climate change.