SCDES Recognizes Thirteen South Carolina Schools as ‘Champions of the Environment’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 7, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Thirteen South Carolina schools were recently awarded grants to support the education of the next generation of environmental stewards, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) announced today.

The “Champions of the Environment” awards are issued each school year to foster environmental education and action in South Carolina’s classrooms from kindergarten through 12th grade. Teachers apply for grant funding by outlining a proposed educational project that focuses on pollution or waste reduction, water or energy efficiency, or preservation of natural areas. The grant program is sponsored by SCDES, Dominion Energy and Sylvamo, with assistance from the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina.

“SCDES is dedicated to supporting education and awareness about South Carolina’s environment, and programs like Champions of the Environment help us instill knowledge and respect for our state’s natural resources,” said Myra Reece, SCDES Interim Director. “With the help of our great partners, we look forward to the many projects Champions of the Environment will support in classrooms across the state for years to come.”

SCDES started Champions of the Environment in 1993 with the goal of encouraging, enabling, and recognizing youth environmental education projects that develop awareness, promote behavior change, or improve and protect our water, air, and land.

This year, eight schools were awarded $2,500, four schools were awarded $1,500, and one school was awarded $1,265. This year’s projects include pollinator gardens, hydroponic gardening, and habitat enhancement, as well as removal of invasive plant species.

“From hydroponic gardening to enhancing bat habitats, the 2024-2025 Champions of the Environment grant winners are cultivating a culture of environmental stewardship,” said Amanda Ley, SCDES’s coordinator for the Champions of the Environment program. “The Champions program helps students and teachers make a lasting impact by increasing opportunities for students to get hands-on environmental education.”

The 2024-25 Champions of the Environment winners are below.

$2,500 winners:

Charleston Collegiate School, Charleston County
Clay Hill Elementary School, Dorchester County
Fennell Elementary Magnet School, Hampton County
Guinyard Butler Middle School, Barnwell County
PACE Academy, Richland County
Pendleton High School, Anderson County
South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville County
The Montessori School of Columbia, Richland County

$1,500 winners:

Andrew Jackson Academy, Bamberg County
C.E. Williams North Middle School, Charleston County
Doby's Mill Elementary School, Kershaw County
Riverwalk Academy, York County

$1,265 winner:

Newberry High School, Newberry County

For more information, including descriptions of each winning project and eligibility requirements for next year’s grant funding, visit des.sc.gov/champions.

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