SWEP GP awarded three Grants in 2021:

Grant Winner: Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
The Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, New Jersey was awarded $3,000. The organization is dedicated to the preservation of New Jersey’s wildlife and habitats through education, conservation, and rehabilitation. They educate 30,000 school children per year through field trips, school assemblies and scout programs. In addition to having trails, Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge manages Pinelands habitat, and provides animal rehabilitation services. Their goal is to establish a “Girls and Wildlife” camp scholarship program that will support young girls that would otherwise not be able to attend camp. Young girls from underserved communities will have access to programs that satisfy young minds, expose them to STEM-based lessons related to wildlife and nature, and help to engage them in critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific discovery. The Scholarship program ensures that all students have equal access to high-quality educational opportunities that support and enhance their traditional education.

Grant Winner: Ursuline Academy
Ursuline Academy in Wilmington Delaware was awarded $1,000 to expand laboratory resources for environmental academic programs. Specifically, the grant will be used to purchase Finn Scientific Inquiry Lab Kits for the AP Environmental Science class that will introduce students to biological specimens in the lab while maintaining a population from which to generate specimens for study. Use of the lab kits nicely complements Ursuline’s participation in Delaware’s Adopt-a-Wetland program. Ursuline adopted Cool Spring Reservoir, which they not only help preserve but also use for educational purposes. Ursuline’s goals for the grant are to deliver an innovative and purposeful education within STEM fields and humanities.

Grant Winner: Camden City Garden Club
The Camden City Garden Club was awarded $500 in support of their Community Gardening Program and the Youth Empowering Watershed Education and Action Program, a part of the Youth Employment and Training Program. This program services adult area residents and at-risk, underserved youth. Fruits and vegetables grown at the garden benefit low-income/food insecure individuals and the Children’s Garden provides activities and educational program for children preschool age through 14. This grant will be used for youth education by pairing urban agriculture and environmental science instruction, and nutrition education with hands-on job skills training, employment, and open-ended staff support. Skills and knowledge gained through this valuable program facilitates graduation, post-secondary education and/or pursuit of employment and a practical route to autonomous adulthood.

SWEP GP awarded two scholarships in 2021:

Scholarship Winner: Nourhan Ibrahim, University of Pennsylvania

Nourhan Ibrahim was awarded a SWEP GP 2021 Graduate Scholarship for $3,000. Nourhan is a dual master’s degree candidate in Environmental Studies and Public Health. Prior to attending the University of Pennsylvania, Nourhan received her B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University. She interned and completed her senior thesis at the Mpala Research Center in Laikipia, teaching primary and secondary school students about conservation issues. Nourhan served on the Board of the Princeton Conservation Society and completed a research project exploring the effects of pesticide use on crop yields and agriculture workers. She is working on her capstone project that explores sustainable food production and responsible management of pesticides. Nourhan hopes to pursue a career in environmental policy where she will strive to mitigate the impacts of environmental issues on community health. Her commitment to working intentionally, contributing something meaningful, and desire to break barriers and be a leader in this space is exemplary and inspiring.

Scholarship Winner: Anne Sharp, University of Pennsylvania
Anne Sharp was awarded a SWEP GP 2021 Graduate Scholarship for $3,000. Anne is a master’s degree candidate in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Pennsylvania. Anne also received her B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to taking graduate level classes, Anne works full time as an Administrative Associate at National Real Estate in Philadelphia. In her position she works with the Sustainability Committee to monitor and promote construction-related Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Anne is also pursuing certifications in Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and WELL Accredited Professional and is the Climate Leader Co-Chair at Penn where she oversees a board that connects climate-focused faculty, alumni, and students. Her goal is to broaden the sustainability efforts in her current position and create durable, joyful living spaces which encourage people to live in urban centers, combat suburban sprawl, and allow our natural areas and arable land to remain undisturbed. Additional experience in wildland firefighting, horticulture, and community gardening are commendable and further inform her studies and career aspirations.

Grant Winner (Watershed Institute):

We are pleased to announce that the Watershed Institute is one of the 2020 SWEP grant recipients!  The Watershed Institute provides an educational program for female high school students that focuses on environmental advocacy, environmental field science, clean water, green architecture, stream science, and climate change. Through this program, the women will explore environmental careers alongside professors and professionals through hands-on activities while they engage in scientific techniques and conservation projects. SWEP is a proud sponsor of this amazing environmental program! Congratulations Watershed Institute!

Grant Winner (Odyssey Charter School):

We are pleased to announce that Odyssey Charter School is one of the 2020 SWEP grant recipients!  Odyssey Charter School’s Girls Grow Greens (GGG) program provides K-12 students with hands-on and real-world opportunities to be environmental stewards of the planet and also explore how urban agriculture can be a viable solution for feeding an increasing global population. SWEP is a proud sponsor of this amazing environmental program! Congratulations Odyssey Charter School!

Grant Winner (John J. Tyler Arboretum):

We are pleased to announce that John J. Tyler Arboretum is one of the 2020 SWEP grant recipients!  John J. Tyler Arboretum’s ‘Tylers’s Seeds of Knowledge Competition’ showcases environmental projects completed by female students in areas including soil conservation, water and energy conservation, and recycling. This competition is designed to inspire women and girls to pursue environmental careers by providing a platform to showcase their innovations and connect them to industry leaders. SWEP is a proud sponsor of this amazing environmental program! Congratulations John J. Tyler Arboretum!

Scholarship Winner (Ellen Heiman):

We are pleased to announce that Ellen Heiman is one of the 2020 SWEP scholarship recipients! At the University of Pennsylvania, Ellen is a Juris Doctorate (JD) candidate focusing on environmental law.  She provides pro-bono work with the Youth Education Project, School Discipline Advocacy Services, If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, and Environmental Law Project. As you will see in the video link below, Ellen’s has a strong passion for environmental justice and sustainable practices. We are excited to see the significant contributions she will make to the environment and our community! Congratulations Ellen!

Scholarship Winner (Emma Krampe):

We are pleased to announce that Emma Krampe is one of the 2020 SWEP scholarship recipients! She is a master’s degree candidate in Environmental Engineering and Land Management at the Polytechnic University of Milan. Currently, Emma is the standing Editor-in-Chief of the Freely Magazine and is the President as well as an International Project Lead for Engineers without Borders. As you will see in the video link below, Emma’s ability to continually expand her diverse project portfolio while maintaining academic distinctions such as a Temple’s Presidential Scholar solidifies Emma as an essential environmental professional. We are excited to see the significant contributions she will make to the environment and our community! Congratulations Emma!

GRANT WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

The Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) of Greater Philadelphia has selected the grant winners for 2019:

Guardians of the Brandywine, in support of their Sweet Water FLOWS (the Future/the Legacy of Our Watershed), was awarded $2,000. Their goal is to provide a 4-day “watershed science by canoe” program free of charge for girls in grades 9-12. The program will focus on watershed dynamics, the relationship between a community and its water resources, and water quality testing. The program will be centered at the Northbrook Canoe Company. Using the Sweet Water Ventures Learning Center located at the canoe company, along with taking canoe water quality research excursions. The girls will participate in understanding the dynamics of a watershed (elevation, tributaries, erosion, infiltration, etc.), the sciences of water quality (physical, chemical, biological), the communities dependent on clean water (plants, animals/people), canoeing, teambuilding, and, simply, the wonders of the natural world.

Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, in support of their nationally recognized Master Naturalist program, was awarded $1,000. This program focuses on training diverse women from multicultural audiences dedicated to inspiring and promoting an environmental ethic in their Philadelphia neighborhoods. The program objective is to bring environmental learning and stewardship to all neighborhoods of the Greater Philadelphia area and to provide professional development for women seeking further training in natural sciences and natural resource conservation as well as provides a forum for women to give back through volunteer service dedicated to conserving natural environments locally. The Pennsylvania Master Naturalist experience consists of three components:  a 50-hour “core” training course, volunteer service, and continuing education, with a focus on natural resource conservation, climate change, energy conservation, storm water management, and natural sciences; and designing interpretive displays or signage for parks and museums. 

The Camden City Garden Club, in support of their Youth Empowering Watershed Education & Action Program, was awarded $500 to fund the Field Trip for Youths component of the program. This program addresses four essential issues impacting at-risk, underserved youth: academic underachievement/high drop-out rate; unemployment; financial marginalization; and, food insecurity. The program consists of education, hands-on training, paid employment, lesson materials, field testing equipment, field trips, and on-going support. This program positively impacts student retention, future employment success, communication skills, leadership skills, self-esteem, motivation and several other hard and soft skills.

The Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) of Greater Philadelphia has selected the scholarship winners for 2019:

Scholarship Winner: Hayley McCurdy, University of Pennsylvania

Hayley McCurdy was awarded a SWEP 2019 Graduate Scholarship for $3,000. Hayley is a Master of Science in Environmental Studies degree with a concentration in Energy Management and Environmental Sustainability candidate at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to attending the University of Pennsylvania, Hayley received her BA in Political Science from Texas Christian University. She is the Co-Chair of the Wharton Energy Club, member of the Sustainable Business Coalition and the Academic Coordinator for the Graduate Advisory Board. Hayley’s most impressive achievement to date is the development a micro-loan program (in both English and Spanish) to promote the use of solar panels to generate electricity for rural consumers in the Dominican Republic.

Scholarship Winner: Jill Felker, Antioch University New England (in conjunction with The Pennsylvania State University)

Jill Felker was awarded a SWEP 2019 Graduate Scholarship for $3,000. Jill is a PhD candidate in Environmental Studies candidate at the Antioch University New England. Prior to attending Anitoch University, Jill received her BS in Biology and her MS in Environmental Pollution Control from The Pennsylvania State University. Jill continues to serve as an adjunct instructor and lab manager at Penn State’s Berks Campus in Microbiology, Biology and Chemistry. Jill is also currently working in collaboration with the Nolde Environmental Education Center with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DNCR) to develop citizen science programs. She has also begun working on her PhD research project, a pilot project that assesses the antibiotic resistant microbial populations and the chemical characteristics of the Blue Marsh Watershed in Berks County. Jill resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children and embodies the challenge of work/life balance.

SWEP GP awarded a grant to the Darby Creek Valley Association ($2,000) to support their Community Environmental Education Series.

The 2018 Scholarships were awarded to Katie Lample ($3,000), Adrienne Donaghue ($3,000), and Elena Rohner ($1,500). 

The Society of Women Environmental Professionals funded grant program, Girls Learning from Women STEM Professionals at the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) event was held over two days, May 30 and 31st. Although we did not reach our target of bringing 250 girls to the DEP to work alongside female STEM professionals, 139 girls were able to participate across the 2-day event.  Clean air and clean water, storm water management, recycling and the structure of the modern landfill, and a tour of their beautiful LEED Certified Gold Building were just a few of the workshops that our girls experienced.

DEP staff scientists spoke to our Norristown Area High School 9th grade students briefly about their careers and path to DEP, as well as the information for the assigned station.

Students were divided into 7 groups before arriving at DEP at 8:45 a.m. each morning. Each group had a NASD chaperone and greeted their first DEP host who escorted the group to Breakout #1. Students moved through the breakout sessions until convening in the Delaware/Schuylkill rooms for lunch. Pizza was paid for with grant funds. During lunch, the girls had the opportunity to eat with DEP staff, as well as hear other strong females in the office. At the end of breakout #7, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the students boarded the buses and returned to Norristown Area High School.

Many thanks to the Society of Women Environmental Professionals and the volunteers at the DEP for helping our girls envision a future in STEM.

       

          

          

          

     

     

On Wednesday, April 20, 2016, the Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) of Greater Philadelphia hosted their annual Green Smarts Party at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, 2700 Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia. The event is an opportunity to honor and present the SWEP’s graduate scholarships.

Scholarship Winner: Megan O’Donnell, Drexel University

Meghan is a Master of Science in Environmental Policy degree candidate at Drexel University, and Staff Scientist II at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Prior to attending Drexel University, Meghan received her BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Meghan works on the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, where she researches the effects of agriculture methods on aquatic life by studying macroinvertebrates. She oversees field technicians, writes grants, installs scientific equipment, and conducts rapid habitat assessment and fieldwork at 35 study sites in the region.

Scholarship Winner: Kathryn McNamara, Drexel University

Kathryn is a Master of Public Health degree candidate at Drexel University, with a focus on Environmental and Occupational Health. Prior to attending Drexel, Kathryn received her BA in International Relations and Arabic from Dickinson College. Kathryn was a Fulbright Scholar in Indonesia, where she became interested in resource management and environmental exposures in at-risk communities. As a Graduate Assistant at the Dornsife School of Public Health, Kathryn created a risk communication tool for the state of Pennsylvania, and launched a social media message library for a wide-range of disaster scenarios. Her Masters thesis deals with radiation risk assessment at local nuclear power plants, and modeling for occupational cancers among exposed workers.

SWEP is grateful to Greenberg Traurig, LLP for generously sharing their beautiful conference rooms for this Event!

On Wednesday, April 20, 2016, the Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) of Greater Philadelphia hosted their annual Green Smarts Party at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, 2700 Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia. The event is an opportunity to honor SWEP’s grant winners.

This year in addition we had the opportunity of hearing from one former grant awardee, the wH20 Women’s Water Journal.

Presenters:  Stanley L. Laskowski and Akudo Ejelonu

Stanley Laskowski is a Lecturer and Advisor at the University of Pennsylvania, a Global Water Alliance founder and former Deputy Regional Administrator for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He spoke on “The Role of Water in Women’s Lives Around the World”, and the University of Pennsylvania’s “wH2O: The Journal of Gender & Water”. Joining him was Akudo Ejelonu, in the Masters of Environmental Health and Masters of Public Health programs at the University of Pennsylvania;  she spoke on her experiences on projects in India addressing water issues.

2016 Grant Winners – This year, SWEP presented grants to:

Dawn White from Green Valleys Watershed Association, in support of their After-School Nature Explorers Club at Pottstown Middle School, for this winter, 2017

Kimberly Reed, Director, Troop Support & Experiences, and her three Senior/Ambassador Girl Scouts of Central and South New Jersey, in support of their “Refill, not Landfill” program.

In addition, SWEP is again sponsoring the Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery County Envirothons.

SWEP is grateful to Greenberg Traurig, LLP for generously sharing their beautiful conference rooms for this Event!