Cook Applauds Local Schools for Receiving Environmental Educational Grants

May 1, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Bud Cook (R Greene/Washington) congratulated two school districts in the 50th Legislative District for receiving close to $35,000 in grants that support hands on environmental education and real world sustainability learning.

The schools receiving funding are:
•  California Area School District - $29,823 for “Teaching Sustainability Through Honeybee Behavior and Genetics” workshops. The district, with three partner districts, will lead nine monthly workshops on honeybee science and environmental education.
•  Charleroi Area School District - $5,000 for the “Charleroi Area School District Edible Learning Lab,” which will convert and expand a small greenhouse to become a year-round growing lab where students learn plant science, hydroponics and sustainable farming.

“Our students are the future, and projects like this give them the chance to learn skills that will last a lifetime,” Cook said. “We’re glad to see these grants supporting hands on learning right here in the 50th District.”

The districts are receiving the money through the Environmental Education (EE) Grants Program. Established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, the program dedicates 5% of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection imposed pollution fines and penalties to environmental education.