The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Youth Environmental Program recently awarded close to $15,000 in cash prizes to youth groups from around the state for their environmental efforts. The awards were presented during the 61st annual Youth Environmental Day at North Bend State Park in Ritchie County, where groups were recognized for completing projects such as tree plantings, cleanups, and recycling drives that benefited their communities. Over the past year, the groups collected trash, recycled various materials, planted trees, and cleaned up roadways, totaling an estimated savings of $11.3 million for the state.
In addition to cash awards, the YEP also presented the Rick Vecellio Memorial Conservation Scholarship to Carter Takarsh, a senior at Winfield High School. Award winners from the Mid-Ohio Valley included members of the Belleville 4-H club, the Arvilla Wide Awakes 4-H Club, and the Morristown Mountaineers 4-H club, who received awards for their environmental projects.
The scholarship and awards were made possible by the Vecellio Family Foundation Inc. of Beckley. The Youth Environmental Program aims to empower young people to make a positive impact on the environment and their communities through various projects and initiatives. Congratulations to all the winners for their dedication and commitment to environmental stewardship in West Virginia.
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