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South Carolina

SC Schools Win $29,350 in Environmental Grants

Fifteen K-12 schools across South Carolina received Champions of the Environment grants from the state Department of Environmental Services.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Financial Aid

Native wildflower pollinator garden bed beside a restored coastal marsh, with a wooden footpath and moss-draped live oaks in the background.
Fifteen South Carolina K-12 schools each won a share of $29,350 in state Champions of the Environment grants for student-led pollinator gardens and habitat projects. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services awarded grants totaling $29,350 to 15 K-12 schools through its Champions of the Environment program. The winning projects focused on pollinator gardens, habitat restoration, resource conservation and environmental monitoring.

Why it matters

The grants fund student-led environmental stewardship projects, giving students hands-on experience in protecting South Carolina's air, land and water. Schools are chosen for student involvement, effective use of funds, community outreach and partnerships.

The state awarded $29,350 across 15 schools, averaging about $1,957 per school. The extraction does not specify individual grant amounts or how many schools applied.

The players

South Carolina Department of Environmental Services

The state agency that administers the Champions of the Environment grant program and oversees environmental protection efforts across South Carolina.

The details

Three Beaufort County schools, including Cross Schools, Daufuskie Island Independent School and Red Cedar Elementary School, are among the recipients. Winning projects focused on pollinator gardens, habitat restoration, resource conservation and environmental monitoring.

Timeline

  1. - The program was established in 1993.

  2. - The 2026 grant awards were announced to the 15 winning schools.

Seasonal Patterns

The Champions of the Environment program, running since 1993, has long funded student-led environmental projects in South Carolina, and the 2026 awards continue that established model.

Students at the 15 winning schools will carry out pollinator gardens, habitat restoration and environmental monitoring projects funded by the grants. Families in Beaufort County and other recipient counties may see these hands-on environmental programs expand in their local schools.

The takeaway

Grant programs like Champions of the Environment show how state funding can turn classroom ideas into hands-on community projects. Schools looking for similar support can explore environmental grant opportunities through state agencies.

Further reading

Explore more about financial aid options for school-based programs in South Carolina.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WSAV News 3.

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