The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s (UWSP) College of Natural Resources (CNR) manages the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency�s (EPA) National Environmental Education Training program (EETAP).

Recently EPA awarded UWSP $1,689,575 for EETAP to continue its national training program.

UWSP has managed EPA�s program to increase the nation�s environmental literacy since 2000. Over $17 million dollars have been committed to this national program. According to Richard Wilke, UW System distinguished professor of environmental education, 212,531,968 education professionals were reached through EETAP activities in the last year. It is estimated that these educators in turn reached 2,198,515 individuals.

The competitive award comes from the EPA�s Office of Environmental Education. EETAP is managed by UWSP�s CNR but involves seven other training providers across the country including the North American Association for Environmental Education, National Audubon Society, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service�s National Conservation Training Center, Project Learning Tree, Northern Illinois University and National Project WET.

"Wisconsin�s Congressman David Obey has been instrumental in spearheading a national effort to give educators quality environmental education resources and professional development," said Wilke. According to Wilke the EETAP project fills a critical role in the development of an environmentally literate public.

Examples include:

EETAP is the national training program of EPA�s Office of Environmental Education, established through the National Environmental Education Act of 1990. UWSP administers EETAP through a cooperative agreement with the EPA. EETAP�s Web site provides more information on its activities at www.eetap.org.

-30-