Major Boost for Local Environmental Education: $1.2M DOE Grant to Enhance FLC Programs

The U.S. Department of Energy has granted $1.2 million to Fort Lewis College (FLC) in Durango, Colorado. This funding, renewable for up to five years, aims to improve the college's Environmental Sciences program. Historically, the program has struggled with limited space and resources since its start ten years ago.

The grant will help establish the Environmental Science and Justice Laboratory at Berndt Hall. This new facility will include a general sciences lab, as well as specialized labs for analyzing soil and water. An Environmental Justice Center will also be created, serving as a place for student and community engagement, learning, and event organization. Dr. Jared Beeton, chair of the Department of Environment & Sustainability at FLC, stated that the grant would significantly enhance environmental education by increasing hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.

The funding will also support the creation of a Climatology Lab and an Ozone Garden, in partnership with the Engineering Department, and a heavy metals lab with the Chemistry Department. These additions aim to boost research capabilities and provide practical learning experiences. Dr. Joanna Gordon Casey, who leads the Climatology Lab project, emphasized the role of the Ozone Garden in studying and demonstrating the effects of air quality on the environment.

Furthermore, the grant will provide housing and internship stipends for students from low-income backgrounds, particularly those studying environmental justice or environmental science. This financial support is designed to help students focus on their studies without the worry of housing insecurity.

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