Representatives of Natural Lands Trust, the Pottstown School District, and NorthBay, a Maryland-based nature center, have announced a major grant from PECO and the Exelon Foundation in support of a new and innovative outdoor education program in the District.

Launched last fall, the program – called Powered by Nature – emphasizes exploration in nature, authentic scientific investigation, and character development in order to improve essential academic skills and help students understand that the choices they make have the power to transform the planet, their community, and themselves.

It will serve students in fourth through sixth grade in the Pottstown School District. And it will all happen outside.

Advertisement

Liz Murphy, Senior Vice President of Regulatory and External Affairs at PECO, announced the $150,000, three-year grant before a crowd of students, teachers, and school district leaders at Rupert Elementary School.

“At PECO, we power programs and initiatives that are helping our youth achieve a well-rounded education and that provide a broad spectrum of opportunity,” said Murphy. “We are proud to join Natural Lands Trust and the Pottstown School District to provide this important environmental educational experience for local students.”

“The fate of our environment and our communities ultimately depends upon the decisions we make on a daily basis,” said Molly Morrison, President of Natural Lands Trust, which is based in Media.

“Those choices are at the heart of this curriculum. We have enjoyed a long partnership with PECO, and time and again they have chosen to invest in making our region green. We couldn’t be more grateful for their leadership support of Powered by Nature.”