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The funds from the LEAP grant awarded to WIU's Horn Field Campus will enable Pat Sullivan (blue shirt), of Peace of Earth Environmental Learning Center in Rushville, IL, and Emily Schoenfelder, graduate assistant at HFC, to visit local classrooms to help educate local students about the health of Spring and Argyle Lakes, as well as the county's water resources. Sullivan received her master's degree in recreation, park and tourism administration from WIU.
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LEAP Grant Helps HFC Take Water Resource/Environmental Education into Local Classrooms

December 3, 2009

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MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University's Horn Field Campus was recently awarded a $500 grant from the Lake Education Assistance Program (LEAP), a division of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. According to Emily Schoenfelder, environmental education coordinator at Horn Field Campus (HFC), the grant will help HFC deliver the Lake Watershed Community Outreach program.

"The program aims to help educate local students about the health of Spring and Argyle Lakes, as well as McDonough county's water resources," Schoenfelder explained. "We are partnering with Pat Sullivan, an environmental educator and owner of Peace of Earth Environmental Learning Center in Rushville (IL), to take watershed education programming into area classrooms. Using an interactive, table-top watershed model, students will learn how home and business practices can contribute to water pollution, as well as how to problem solve to find ways to be good stewards of the environment."

Sullivan received her master's degree from WIU's recreation, park and tourism administration (RPTA) department. Schoenfelder noted that the program will occupy approximately 1.5 hours and is available free to all school district and educational participants and offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"The LEAP grant only funds a limited number of programs, but all we need is a table or floor space for the students to gather around," she said. "I am very excited for the opportunity to take environmental education into classrooms. Fiscal restrictions, logistics, poor weather and a plethora of other obstacles often prevent classes from venturing outside to learn about humanity's impact on the natural world. This program will take the lessons indoors. I am also thrilled to be working with Pat. She is a diligent advocate for the environment," Schoenfelder added.

For more information or to set up an appointment, contact Schoenfelder at (309) 833-5798 or EA-Schoenfelder@wiu.edu. Learn more about Western Illinois University's Horn Field Campus at wiu.edu/RPTA/HFC/. Learn more about the Peace of Earth Environmental Learning Center at www.peaceofearth.net/environmentallearningcenter.

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
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