CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Multiple youth groups from around the state have been recognized for their efforts to better the environment in West Virginia.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection presented nearly $15,000 in cash prizes to the youth groups through the DEP’s Youth Environmental Program (YEP). The groups were recognized at the 61st annual Youth Environmental Day at North Bend State Park in Ritchie County.
Some of the projects the youth groups completed included tree plantings, roadside litter and stream cleanups, recycling drives, and environmental education efforts.
Close Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe Now
Breaking News
According to the WVDEP, groups enrolled in the YEP, planted more than 500 trees in the past year. They also collected 875 bags of trash, including cleaning trash from 210 miles of roadways as well as community areas and streams. The groups have also recycled more than 9,000 lbs of aluminum, 62,000 pounds of plastic, 100,000 pounds of steel, and 80,000 pounds of paper.
The WVDEP says the youth programs’ volunteer hours also equaled an estimated savings of $11.3 million for the Mountain State.
The full list of winners includes:
- Rick Vecellio Memorial Conservation Scholarship:
- Carter Takarsh, Winfield Scotts 4-H in Putnam County
- West Virginia Forestlands & Wood Products Art Award:
- Lilly Hershman, Sandy Pals 4-H in Preston County
- Go-Mart Energy Essay Awards:
- Callie Dixon, Belleville 4-H in Wood County
- Wyatt Younker, Sandy Pals 4-H in Preston County
- Rick Vecellio Memorial Art Poster Awards:
- Emily Carothers, Meadow Bridge Girl Scout Troop 31897 in Fayette County
- Cade Blackshire, Letart Pioneers 4-H in Mason County
- Ella Grant, Midway Meridians 4-H in Putnam County
- Kameron Hart, Letart Pioneers in Mason County
- Karson Pigott, Belleview 4-H in Wood County
- Bear Category Environmental Award:
- Sandy Pals 4-H in Preston County
- Maple Award (Tree Planting):
- Hobos Cloverbuds 4-H in Mason County
- Environmental Achievement Award:
- Hampshire County Public Library
- Litter Control Award:
- Haer Bears 4-H in Mason County
- Gov. Jim Justice Beautification Award:
- Wyoming East High Friends of the Earth Club in Wyoming County
- Mountain Laurel Category Environmental Awards:
- Letart Pioneers 4-H in Mason County
- Keep West Virginia Beautiful Award:
- Slanesville Community Garden in Hampshire County
- Recycling Award:
- Regional Youth Services Center in Hardy County
- DEP Cabinet Sec. Harold Ward Brook Trout Kindergarten Award:
- Green Bank Public Library in Pocahontas County
- Mountain State Award of Excellence Environmental Project:
- Girl Scout Troop 1895 in Fayette County
- Recycling Education and Awareness Award:
- Clover Stems 4-H in Putnam County
- District Coordinator Awards:
- District 2: North Fork 4-H Club in Pendleton County
- District 3: Deer Creek Defenders 4-H Club in Pocahontas County
- District 4: Meadow Bridge Clovers 4-H Club in Fayette County
- District 5: Friends of Nichols Environmental Club in Cabell County
- District 6: Arvilla Wide Awakes 4-H Club in Pleasants County
- Wildlife Management Award:
- Belleville 4-H in Wood County
- Streams and Trails Award:
- Martinsburg High School Ecology Club in Berkeley County
- Save Our Streams Award:
- Leading Creek Elementary in Lewis County
- Rhododendron Environmental Award:
- Boy Scout Troop 32 in Hampshire County
- Watershead Protection Award:
- Appalachian Expeditions in Tucker County
- Environmental Education Award:
- Valley Livestock 4-H in Randolph County
- Plastic Recycling Award:
- Busy 4’s 4-H in Mason County
- REAP Adopt-A-Highway Award:
- Morristown Mountaineers 4-H in Wirt County
- REAP Recycling Video Award:
- Teens for Change in Kanawha County
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOWK 13 News.
Most Popular
Comments / 0