EPA funds urban water quality education in Los Angeles with two $60,000 grants

Two Los Angles-based organizations recently won funding of nearly $60,000 each from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Urban Waters Small Grants program, allowing them to educate students in their communities on water quality.
 
The Constitutional Rights Foundation will work to add engagement opportunities to the curriculum of local underserved high schools, allowing students to improve their local water quality while learning about a range of STEM-related skills. The organization will partner with Los Angeles Waterkeeper and UCLA.
 
Heal the Bay, which will partner with Los Angeles Trade Technical College and local high schools, will work to monitor recreational portions of the Los Angeles River to determine bacterial water pollution. Heal the Bay will also offer students job training on water quality monitoring, education and outreach, allowing them to pursue careers involving urban watershed issues.
 
“It is important to continue educating the next generation on the importance of protecting our local waterways,” EPA Water Division Director for the Pacific Southwest Tomás Torres said. “Today’s grants will help protect urban waters and the health of the communities they serve.”
 
The funding is part of $1.3 million recently awarded to 22 organizations spread throughout 18 states, allowing them to improve water quality in their local waterways.