As part of its annual Project Earth Environmental Education Grants Program, PPL Montana is reaching out to elementary and high schools across the state to help support programs that will inspire students to learn about environmental issues and energy conservation.

“One of PPL Montana’s objectives is to help students use their creative energy to learn about and improve Montana’s wildlife, habitat, and rivers and streams, and make their schools and communities more energy- efficient and environmentally friendly,” said Lisa Perry, PPL Montana’s community affairs manager. “We’re always eager to see how our students tap into their imaginations for their grant applications.”

Last year the grant program helped students at seven Montana schools from West Glacier to Glendive broaden their understanding of issues ranging from the importance of water quality in lakes and rivers and cultivating crops in rocky, porous soil to building solar space heaters for school use.

Through the program, educators are awarded up to $1,500 to help teach students the important role they play in maintaining a healthy environment.

Teachers can receive grants for school projects that focus on issues such as watersheds and wetlands, air quality, renewable resources, energy conservation and the greening of schools. The projects can enhance established classroom curricula and academic standards, or support extracurricular activities of school organizations and clubs.

The program is offered to all public, private and parochial schools in Montana. A school may partner with an organization, association or business, but the school must have primary responsibility for the project. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 31. A team of PPL Montana employees and environmental experts will choose the winning projects.

For more information about the PPL Montana Project Earth Environmental Education Grants Program or to apply for a grant, click here.