The purpose of this american rescue plan funded project is to work with neighborhood residents, local artists, students, and community organizations to educate individuals who reside in or near…

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 awarded a $150,000 Project Grant under the Environmental Justice Small Grant Program (CFDA 66.604) to Spark of Omaha, Nebraska. The grant will support a project to educate residents in and around North Omaha about new clean air initiatives, including the North Omaha Trail. Spark will coordinate with community groups and local high school students to implement air quality education components. Activities include creating air quality trail murals, partnering with gardening groups to plant community gardens, and promoting trail usage through events. The project aims to empower neighbors to actively improve air quality, with expected outcomes of increased knowledge of risks, greater use of the trail for walking and biking, and ultimately improved health outcomes in the historically Black community. No subawards are included in the assistance agreement.

The purpose of this american rescue plan funded project is to work with neighborhood residents, local artists, students, and community organizations to educate individuals who reside in or near north omaha, nebraska about the new north omaha trail and clean air initiatives. North omaha is the historic center of the black community, and this project will help to eliminate racial disparities in public health and environmental risks. People with moderate-to-severe or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to be hospitalized from covid-19. Air pollution may contribute to asthma. By addressing air pollution in clean air act section 103(b)(3) projects, the chances of severe illness from covid-19 are reduced. Activities: spark will coordinate with community advisory groups and work with local high school students on a variety of clean air-related components in order to reach the underserved surrounding community. Activities include air quality trail murals; work with gardening groups to plant raised beds; publicize and market trail usage and events; recruit neighbors, businesses and organizations to participate. Outcomes: key outcomes and outputs will include activation projects of the north omaha trail that focus on educating the public and empowering neighbors to take an active role in clean air efforts. Gardening and a community clean air walk and juneteenth events will be held. The primary short-term outcomes for the project include increased knowledge of air quality risks in the community and to activate the trail to increase usage of walking, biking, and other methods of transportation that will improve air quality. Anticipated intermediate and long-term outcomes include increased biking and walking, reduced traffic and carbon emissions near the trail. This would also help the long-term outcomes of improved health and well-being of north omaha residents, which is the historic center of the black community, and this project will help to eliminate racial disparities in public health and environmental risks. Subrecipient: no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.