News Releases from Region 05

EPA Honors Student Award Winner from Ann Arbor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 8, 2017

CHICAGO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the winners of the 2016 Presidential Environmental Youth Award (PEYA), including a Huron High School student in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The program recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects by K-12 youth. These students demonstrate the initiative, creativity, and applied problem-solving skills needed to tackle environmental problems and find sustainable solutions.

“Today, we are pleased to honor these impressive young leaders, who demonstrate the impact that a few individuals can make to protect our environment,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “These students are empowering their peers, educating their communities, and demonstrating the STEM skills needed for this country to thrive in the global economy.”

Megan He, a junior at Huron High School, created a YouTube channel titled Greenversal and accompanying website greenversal.org, a platform where people can view the environmental news reports she creates. Megan wanted to increase news coverage and raise awareness about the environment and conservation. Greenversal has been viewed in more than 100 countries since it launched in June 2016.

“By communicating with viewers in the comments and hearing their ideas, I know that my videos are promoting environmental awareness to as many people as possible, and I am so glad that they are having this much of an impact on such a diverse group of people,” Ms. He said. “My initial goals of starting this project have been achieved: if Greenversal helps just one person, it is all worth it.”

Fifteen projects are being recognized this year, from 13 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Each year the PEYA program honors environmental awareness projects developed by young individuals, school classes (kindergarten through high school), summer camps, public interest groups and youth organizations.

The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation's natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people for protecting our nation's air, water, land and ecology. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation's youth.

For information on environmental education at EPA, visit:
https://www.epa.gov/education.

For details on the new PEYA winners, visit:
http://www2.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award-peya-winners