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Combining outdoor activity with educational opportunity is the best way to stimulate student interest in environmental issues. What better venue than Maryland’s Eastern Shore to promote inquiry-based learning of environmental science?
Combined Effort with $300,000 in Funding
The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) has partnered with four organizations to promote linking environmental and academic programs (LEAP). On June 19, 2007, MDE, The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Maryland Coastal Bay Program, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed an agreement during a ceremony at UMES’ campus. The agreement formalized a partnership for expanding environmental science learning at UMES. The total commitment in funding and resources from all the partners is approximately $300,000 designated to increase research, teaching, outreach, career development and stewardship in environmental sciences at the historically black university.
Hands-on Work Experience Opportunity for Minority Students
The program aims to promote environmental science as a college choice of study for minority high school students and give them hands-on environmental work experience through a summer learning program at the UMES campus. “Generating environmental interest among minority students is at the root of our mission here at MDE,” said Lou LaRicci, director of MDE’s Human Resources. “We are here today to promote the importance of student recruitment, internships, career development and employment in environmental science and related fields.” MDE recently provided a matching grant award of $18,000 to UMES to fund internship opportunities.
MDE places serious emphasis on educating future generations in environmental issues through outreach, internship programs and grant funding for academic opportunities. This is one of the many ways this state environmental agency contributes to the legacy of carrying on the important work of protecting public health and restoring Maryland’s environment.
“By signing this agreement, we are all committing our time and resources to assist in the growth and development of young people,” said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. “In turn, we hope the students will gain an appreciation of the environment, consider careers in environmental sciences, and have a greater desire to help improve the environment.” Welsh also announced EPA’s funding of $50,000 for a two-week summer program that gives students hands-on field experience with the university’s coastal laboratory on Chincoteague Bay, including actual habitat restoration work.
“This memorandum of understanding greatly expands our commitment to the growth of knowledge in the environmental sciences, using a holistic approach in collaboration with the key players in the region,” said Thelma B. Thompson, president of the university.
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