During the 37th Annual Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council (CEIC) Awards, HRPDC and its environmental education program, askHRgreen.org, were recognized for the Environmental Institution Award. The award recognized the regional effort to create and distribute a third grade learning guide to better connect students with local environmental issues.

Utilizing a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund, a group of the region’s municipal public works, public utilities, and waste management leaders set out to create the Green Learning Guide specifically for third grade students. With the help of Adrienne Sawyer from Chesapeake Public Schools, the resulting Third Grade Green Learning Guide was designed to meet third grade SOL guidelines while encouraging students to have a deeper understanding of the local environment. The Guide combines educational information with colorful maps, facts, and activities that teach concepts such as watershed education, pollution prevention, stormwater management, waste management, and resource conservation.

askHRgreen.org has provided a free copy of the completed Third Grade Green Learning Guide to each third grade student in Hampton Roads — with many more free copies available for private schools and home school students. The new guide, as well as the previously created Sixth Grade Green Learning Guide, is also available to download online. To request free printed copies of this award-winning educational guide for your elementary-age students or youth groups, simply send an email to hrgreen@hrpdcva.gov.