Senator Avella Obtains Grant for Alley Pond Environmental Center

Queens, NY – This afternoon, Senator Tony Avella presented a $25,000 check to Alley Pond Environmental Center (APEC) for the funding of environmental programs. Irene Scheid, APEC’s Executive Director, accepted the check on behalf of her staff and board of directors who were present.

The grant, secured by Senator Avella in the New York State budget, will provide much needed funding to allow the Center to continue to grow their quality environmental programs. Alley Pond Environmental Center has become a premier institution for school children to receive an environmental education based on a sense of wonder and the joy of discovery. During the 2014-2015 school year, 45,658 children were served and nearly 6,000 more were put on a waiting list due to the overwhelming demand.

“Although they are known for their youth programs, APEC seeks to provide an interactive environmental education to New Yorkers of all ages. They have taken the beauty of discovering nature and have put it right in the community’s backyard allowing for interactive programs right here in Queens. I’m happy to have secured funding that will help the Alley Pond Environmental Center continue its educational programs which open our eyes to the importance of environmental preservation” said Senator Tony Avella.

“APEC is dedicated to educating children and adults, protecting and preserving Alley Pond Park open spaces and waterbodies, and advocating for sustainable environmental policies and practices. We are so grateful that Senator Avella is supporting our education work through this much-needed $25,000 grant. In part, these funds will allow us to continue our tradition of free admission and free parking as well as allow us to care for our live ambassador animals. It is through these animals that we are so effective in focusing children, and adults, attention on why preserving and protecting natural areas is so important” said Irene Scheid.