ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A vacant courtyard at Dieruff High School will be transformed into an educational garden laboratory through a $5,000 grant from the state, officials announced Thursday.
- The Lehigh Conservation District and Dieruff High School were awarded a $5,000 grant for an urban gardening project
- The project will make use of a vacant school courtyard
- It's the only Lehigh Valley project to receive an environmental education grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection
“Students will learn how to grow their own healthy food in any type of space so they can extend their knowledge to families and the community,” said Laura Hopek, environmental education and outreach coordinator for the Lehigh County Conservation District. “The food grown by project partners will be offered in a ‘free veggie vault’ as well as to local food pantries.
“This hands-on experience will provide youth with green space while creating awareness about local environmental issues.”
The urban agriculture project is the only program in the Lehigh Valley, but one of 73 across the state, to receive funding through the environmental education grant, according to a news release from the DEP. More than $1 million was awarded overall, with a focus on educating participants to develop and carry out practical solutions that help communities become more climate change resilient or reduce pollution to improve local water quality.
LehighValleyNews.com has reached out to city school district officials for comment.
“The Shapiro Administration is committed to delivering practical solutions to the environmental and safety issues our communities face from climate change and water pollution,” said Rich Negrin, DEP’s acting secretary. “Pennsylvania’s environmental educators help provide these solutions."
“Through impactful work in the field, classroom, and neighborhood, they engage Pennsylvanians of all ages and backgrounds in projects that can have immediate local impacts and spark lasting environmental stewardship.”Rich Negrin, the DEP’s acting secretary
“Through impactful work in the field, classroom, and neighborhood, they engage Pennsylvanians of all ages and backgrounds in projects that can have immediate local impacts and spark lasting environmental stewardship.”
Hopek said the project will “provide students with year-round, outdoor learning space that will enhance classroom curriculum and connect students to nature.”
It aims “to improve students' understanding of local climate change and water quality and other real-world sustainability challenges,” according to an award description posted on the DEP’s website.
