This project provides funding to teaching responsible earth education to implement its project, which will design, demonstrate, and disseminate environmental education practices, methods, and…

Teaching Responsible Earth Education (T.R.E.E.) received a $137,600 Project Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 under the Environmental Education Grants Program (CFDA 66.951) awarded on August 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for July 31, 2027. The grantee will design, demonstrate, and disseminate environmental education practices and methods to increase environmental literacy in New Orleans and Covington, Louisiana. Primary deliverables include a five-day overnight environmental education program serving 230 fifth-grade students with instruction on plant variety, adaptation, and energy flow; nature-based learning experiences for 1,000 Pre-K through third-grade students; and professional development for participating teachers and volunteers to build capacity for environmental stewardship and informed decision-making.

The project incorporates a comprehensive approach through five subaward recipients that will provide complementary educational services and outdoor learning opportunities focused on locally relevant environmental issues. All project activities are designed to increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental challenges while equipping students, teachers, and community volunteers with the skills and experiences necessary to take responsible environmental action in their communities.

This project provides funding to teaching responsible earth education to implement its project, which will design, demonstrate, and disseminate environmental education practices, methods, and techniques, that will serve to increase environmental literacy and encourage behavior that will benefit the environment in new orleans and covington, louisiana. The grantee will do this by providing 230 fifth-grade students a five-day overnight environmental education program including topics such as plant variety, adaptation, and energy flow. The grantee will also provide 1,000 pre-K through third-grade students with developmentally appropriate and out-of-classroom nature experiences that increase environmental literacy and are locally accessible.activities:this project will increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues in new orleans and covington, louisiana and provide students, teachers and volunteers the skills necessary to make informed decisions and to take responsible actions. Activities to be performed during this project period include: preparing for and providing 230 fifth-grade students, five teachers, and 30 volunteers with a five-day overnight environmental education program including topics such as plant variety, adaptation, and energy flow; preparing for and providing 1,000 pre-K through third-grade students and 25 teachers with nature experiences that increase environmental literacy; and five eligible subaward recipients providing educational services or learning opportunities about environmental issues.subrecipient:the recipient will provide subawards to five eligible recipients that will provide students and teachers with positive experiences in outdoor settings while also providing educational services that use a comprehensive approach to program implementation or by providing learning opportunities about environmental issues. All subawards will be within the scope of the project goals.outcomes:IT is anticipated that this project will result in the following deliverables: 230 fifth-grade students, five teachers and 30 volunteers provided a five-day overnight environmental education program including topics such as plant variety, adaptation, and energy flow; 1,000 pre-K through third-grade students and 25 teachers provided nature experiences that increase environmental literacy; five subawards disbursed that provided educational services or learning opportunities about environmental issues; and quarterly reporting submitted. Expected outcomes of the project include: more fifth-grade students knowledgeable about life science concepts; more teachers integrating environmental education and ecology topics in their teaching; and more pre-K through third-grade students interested in and knowledgeable about science. The intended beneficiaries include students, teachers and volunteers in new orleans and covington, louisiana.