Simpsonville’s Oakview Elementary Receives Environmental Award

 From SC Dept of Education Website:

 

Simpsonville’s Oakview Elementary named Champion of the Environment

Champions of the Environment has awarded a $500 grant to Oakview Elementary in Simpsonville for its solar irrigation project, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has announced.

“This is a great example of a small-scale renewable energy project that has large benefits for the environment as well as the school’s orchard and gardens,” said Lynne LaSalle, coordinator for Champions of the Environment. “Using rain barrels to collect and store rainwater until needed for irrigation reduces stormwater runoff and returns water to the local environment.”

LaSalle said Robotics Club students from a nearby middle school – Beck Academy – are implementing the project with assistance from Clemson Extension and a local irrigation contractor. Many of these students attended Oakview.

“The $500 will be used to purchase rain barrels, solar panels and irrigation supplies,” LaSalle said.

In addition to the grant, Oakview students will receive Champions giveaway items and a commercial will be made about the project to air on WIS-TV in Columbia and WCSC-TV in Charleston.

Champions of the Environment is celebrating its 15th year of rewarding environmental action and awareness in South Carolina’s kindergarten through 12th grade students.  The program is sponsored by DHEC, International Paper, Eastman Chemical Company, WCSC-TV and WIS-TV. Ten grants are awarded during the school year over two grant cycles. Applications for Champions’ next round of grants are due September 15.

 

SC Department of Education link: http://www.ed.sc.gov/news/more.cfm?articleID=957

Oakview Elementary: www.greenville.k12.sc.us/oakview