CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Three popular events hosted by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) in the spring and summer 2021 have been canceled due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a news release Monday, the WVDEP announced for the second consecutive year, the Make It Shine Earth Day Celebration, West Virginia Youth Environmental Day and state Junior Conservation Camp will not take place in-person. All three events did not happen in 2020 because of COVID restrictions.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that we are announcing the cancellation of these events,” said Annette Hoskins, director of the WVDEP’s Youth Environmental Program (YEP) in a release.
“We understand how important they are to the young people of our state and we recognize their tremendous value from an environmental education standpoint. But, after much discussion regarding logistical issues and taking into account the significant amount of uncertainty still surrounding COVID-19, we did not feel we could move forward with the events and guarantee the safety of all those involved.”
The Earth Day Celebration is typically conducted in late April on the outdoor plaza at the Clay Center in Charleston that is sponsored by the WVDEP’s Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP). In year’s past, a few hundred-grade school-age students arrive in downtown for hands-on environmental education, conducted mostly by WVDEP staff.
Youth Environmental Day, sponsored by the YEP, had been set for May 15 at North Bend State Park in Ritchie County. During the event, young West Virginians are recognized for the projects they have completed throughout the year that benefit the state’s environment and their communities, a release said. Youth Day has been in existence since 1964.
Hoskins said youth projects from hundreds of 4-H club and scout troop members, school groups and their families. will still be judged and winners recognized this spring virtually. More than $15,000 in cash awards is annually presented to the winners.
Junior Conservation Camp, also sponsored by the YEP, was scheduled for June 21-25 at Cedar Lakes in Ripley. The overnight camp, which originated in 1981, normally attracts close to 200 young West Virginians, ages 11-14, from throughout the state, a release said.
A virtaul conservation camp will be held virtually on a date later announced. Instructors include staff from the WVDEP, along with personnel from the state Division of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and West Virginia University Extension Office.
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February 09, 2021 at 04:30AM
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WVDEP cancels three popular youth events due to concerns with COVID-19 - West Virginia MetroNews
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