Care for Our Earth Grants for County Teachers

Source: Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District

The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and Santa Barbara County Water Agency announced that applications for the 2018-2019 Care for Our Earth teacher grants are due November 9, 2018.

Santa Barbara County K-12 teachers are encouraged to apply for this year’s $300 mini-grants. The grants — funded by APCD, Santa Barbara County Water Agency, and utility companies, and implemented by SBCEO — have helped teachers share concepts about the environment, energy, and alternative transportation with their students, and have helped schools lower their utility bills and decrease traffic.

“These grants offer great benefits and allow students to learn about air quality and the environment in fun, hands-on ways,” said APCD Director Aeron Arlin Genet. “I’m always excited to see the classroom projects that teachers put together.”

Said County Water Agency Manager, Fray Crease, “These grants directly benefit our county classrooms to educate and inspire the future guardians of our planet. The Water Agency is pleased to be a part of this cooperative program.”

The 2017-2018 Care for Our Earth Grants paid for 27 projects at 26 Santa Barbara County schools. Over time, Care for Our Earth Grants have funded 244 projects across many schools throughout Santa Barbara County. Previous recipients have worked with their students to, among other projects, build a worm bin for composting, test and compare car exhaust levels, create solar-powered ovens, map safe routes to walk and bike to school, compose songs about saving energy, learn about bicycle safety, and monitor classroom energy use.

“The Care for Our Earth grants demonstrate how organizations in our community truly value partnering with our local schools,” said Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, Susan Salcido. “Environmental stewardship and conservation are key components of the planet’s health and sustainability, and many of our teachers lead by example on this important message, with the help of these grants. We thank these agencies for their generosity, vision, and support as they help schools and communities countywide harness the true power of partnerships in local education.”

Visit http://teacherprograms.sbceo.org/care-for-our-earth-grants/ for more information, including this year’s application form and project examples from previous recipients.

*Spanish version available at www.ourair.org/102418-news