Ohio EPA awards $48K grant to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

The project will equip a new environmental education shelter and provide staffing to update existing curriculum on wetlands, coastal ecosystems, native species and migratory birds. The shelter supports kindergarten through 12th grade classroom visits and field trips for 2,400 students from school districts in Erie, Lucas, Ottawa and Sandusky counties. The project will expand the existing Wetland Investigation Network partnership with the Black Swamp Bird Observatory and the Ohio Division of Wildlife Magee Marsh Wildlife Management Area. The Friends of the Magee Marsh and Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District also are collaborating. Scientists, researchers and environmental science students at Heidelberg University's National Center for Water Quality Research will lend their expertise in the field of water quality. The Ohio State University Stone Laboratory will conduct professional development and a culminating student learning experience. The Ohio Environmental Education Fund is administered by Ohio EPA. Grants up to $50,000 are funded from one-half of the civil penalties collected by the Agency for air and water pollution control violations. (Information provided in an press release form the Ohio EPA.)