The White House and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are recognizing young people from around the country today at the 2007 President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) for their contributions in promoting environmental awareness and community involvement in such issues as lead, recycling, water quality monitoring, air pollution and carbon footprints.
President George W. Bush and EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson presented the awards in a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House.
“Environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility,” said Johnson. “This year’s Presidential Environmental Youth Award winners have made protecting our planet an everyday commitment, and proven that together we can create a cleaner, healthier world.”
Winners were selected from among applicants to EPA’s 10 regional offices. Regional EPA panels judge projects on environmental need, accomplishments of goals, long-term environmental benefits and positive impact on local communities. The panels also consider project design, coordination, implementation, innovation and soundness of approach. The winners come from Milton, Mass.; Forest Hills, N.Y.; Arlington, Va.; Huntingdon, Tenn.; Arlington Heights, Ill.; Pasadena, Texas; Reed Spring, Mich.; Helena, Mont.; Riverside, Calif.; and Redmond, Wash.
PEYA has been presented annually since 1971 to honor students in kindergarten through twelfth grade who develop innovative environmental projects.
Winners and project descriptions can be viewed at www.epa.gov/enviroed/peya/peya2007.html.
