Tribal ecoAmbassadors Program Launched by EPA

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Tribal ecoAmbassadors

WASHINGTON - On Thursday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the pilot year of its Tribal ecoAmbassadors program. The program will fund research at Tribal Colleges and Universities to address environmental and health issues affecting their communities. EPA's ecoAmbassadors program helps professors, students and community leaders to bring environmental improvements to their schools and neighborhoods.

The initiative is another example of EPA's focus on expanding the conversation on environmentalism, which Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's named as one of her top priorities for the agency. Welcoming new voices to the conversation and empowering communities to act on environmental issues is critical to ensuring that EPA's health protections reach every American.

JoAnn Chase, EPA's Director of the American Indian Environmental Office, met with the Tribal Environmental Managers Partners Workshop and representatives from Tribal Colleges and Universities to introduce the new initiative and open the application process.

Apply through July 29th

"Building stronger tribal partnerships and cleaning up our communities are two of our top priorities," Chase said. "Launching Tribal ecoAmbassadors forms an effective partnership where the tribal community can direct EPA resources to the most pressing environmental problems they face, and to start developing solutions."

Applications are being accepted through July 29 from Tribal Colleges and Universities professors who wish to establish independent study courses with tribal students on issues such as climate adaptation, air quality, water quality, and waste management.

Selected Tribal ecoAmbassadors will each receive a grant and will be responsible for recruiting qualified students, participating in training sessions led by EPA, producing a report that outlines research, results, and proposed solutions to the chosen topic, and presenting their research at a future meeting attended by both EPA and tribes.

To apply or to get more information go to the Tribal ecoAmbassadors Program »

posted July 1, 2011 6:00 am et