Rowan University has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection for an environmental education project in Camden. The initiative will focus on climate change, air quality, and "urban greening" to foster a healthier community.
The project, titled “Greening of Camden: Educating, Empowering, and Enriching Communities for Climate Action and Cleaner Air,” was one of three projects in the New York-New Jersey area to receive $100,000 grants. This announcement was made by the EPA on Tuesday.
In addition to Rowan University’s project, the EPA awarded $100,000 grants to two New York City-based organizations: Trail Blazers for its climate literacy programming for children and teens in Brooklyn; and New York Sun Works for its climate education project in eight New York City public schools.
Nationwide, the EPA selected 38 organizations to receive over $3.6 million in funding under the Environmental Education Grants Program.
“Advancing environmental education advances EPA’s mission because it better equips our communities with the information they need to protect public health today and in the future,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This year’s environmental education grant recipients will work in underserved communities across the country to foster a deeper understanding of environmental challenges and inspire action towards sustainable solutions.”
The Camden project will utilize urban greening initiatives such as tree planting, nature-based solutions, and urban gardening to address climate change impacts and pollution in Camden. The city is considered an environmental justice overburdened community due to health risks from industrial air pollution, transportation centers, and heavy truck traffic on nearby highways.
Led by Rowan University in collaboration with Cooper Medical School and five nonprofit community partners, the project targets students in grades 6-12 as well as elementary school teachers serving low-income students. According to the grant application, Rowan University aims to raise local environmental literacy and empower Camden residents to mitigate air quality problems through urban greening.
