FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2008
Simpsonville’s Oakview Elementary School named Champion of the Environment
COLUMBIA – Champions of the Environment has awarded a $500 grant to Oakview Elementary for its solar irrigation project, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
“This is a great example of a small-scale renewable energy project that has large benefits for the environment as well as the school’s orchard and gardens,” said Lynne LaSalle, coordinator for Champions of the Environment. “Using rain barrels to collect and store rainwater until needed for irrigation reduces stormwater runoff and returns water to the local environment.”
LaSalle said Robotics Club students from a nearby middle school, Beck Academy, are implementing the project with assistance from Clemson Extension and a local irrigation contractor. Many of these students attended Oakview.
“The $500 will be used to purchase rain barrels, solar panels and irrigation supplies,” LaSalle said.
In addition to the $500 grant, these Champions of the Environment will receive Champions giveaway items and a commercial will be made about the project to air on WIS-TV in Columbia and WCSC-TV in Charleston.
Champions of the Environment is celebrating its 15th year of rewarding environmental action and awareness in South Carolina’s kindergarten through 12th grade students. Champions is sponsored by DHEC, International Paper, Eastman Chemical Company, WCSC-TV and WIS-TV. Ten grants are awarded during the school year over two grant cycles. Applications for Champions’ next round of grants are due September 15.
For more information, visit the Champions Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/champions, or call LaSalle at (803) 898-4394.
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For more information:
Adam Myrick – (803) 898-3884
E-mail – myrickar@dhec.sc.gov
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