363.70525 K6x Illinois JU^vlrciirfil^'rital Outreach Division #35 December 2002 Environmental RO. Box 19276 Protection Agency Springfield, IL 62794-9276 I ILLINOIS i MAR 2 8 2003 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Director's Green Youth Award Program AUiT^ In 2002, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency created the Director's Green Youth Award. The Green Youth Award is an annual awards program that recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts ofyouth in Illinois who are working on environmental and conservation friendly projects. In its first year, the program received more than 40 applications and presented 11 awards to schools, clubs and an individual who initiated outstanding environmental protection projects. To be eligible for a Green Youth Award, projects must involve one or more of the following categories: waste redaction, prevention/reduction of pollution in the air, water or land; restoration, preservation or enhancement of natural areas; and energy or water efficiency. Examples of projects that received awards last year include: Waste Reduction: a school wide-recycling program that encouraged not only recycling but also waste reduction and environmental education. Reducing Water Pollution: a storm sewer stenciling project; Restoration/Preservation: the creation of a wetland area; Energy Efficiency: school-wide energy audit and facilitation guide. Awards were presented during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Springfield, hosted by Renee Cipriano, Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Students received individual certificates signed by both the Governor and Director Cipriano, in addition to a plaque. Youth currently enrolled in K-12 public, private or home schools and who have participated in an environmental project may apply for the award. Clubs and other organizations such as Scouts and 4-H are encouraged to apply as well. Information on the 2003 Green Youth Awards will be available on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's web site in the spring at, www.epa.state.il.us. For additional information on the 2003 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Director's Green Youth Award, please contact Deirdre McQuillen at 217-558-0073 or email at [email protected]. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Outreach Division RO. Box 19276 #35 Springfield, IL 62794-9276 Uh-v:r ,'TY OF ^ -L-- - L FFARY I UR!,A.7A-CH/,-/^Paig|\/ 600KSTACKS Printed byAuthorityof the StateofIllinois December 2002 32870 1500