OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – On March 14, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Environmental Management (EM) program continued its annual financial support to the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization (CRESO).

This year, the federal agency is providing $75,000 for programs that educate local middle and high school students about the area’s ecosystem. Oak Ridge and Anderson County schools, with the support of CRESO, teach the basics of land management and resource conservation. The partnership also explains environmental sampling, how samples are analyzed, and the applications of the analysis. Students become versed in environmental sciences and gain awareness about environmental challenges facing the region.

"This worthwhile investment reaps substantial benefits for DOE and the community,” said Sue Cange, DOE’s assistant manager for EM. “The funding allows the next generation of environmental scientists to understand our environmental activities, facilitating valuable collaboration and dialogue about future cleanup.”

CRESO is supported by DOE, Anderson County schools, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge schools, and the University of Tennessee Forest Resources Research and Education Center. The program is coordinated by biology, math, and science teachers from area schools. In addition, the organization also researches and monitors select species in the area.