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CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has canceled three events for spring and summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canceled for the second consecutive year was the Make It Shine Earth Day Celebration, West Virginia Youth Environmental Day and Junior Conservation Camp. The events also were canceled 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 Youth Environmental Program (YEP). "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."
Sponsored by the division's Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan, the Earth Day Celebration is conducted in late April on the outdoor plaza at the Clay Center in Charleston. It attracts hundreds of grade school students for hands-on environmental education conducted mostly by staff from the division.
Youth Environmental Day was scheduled for May 15 at North Bend State Park in Ritchie County. Young West Virginians are recognized for the outstanding projects they have completed throughout the year that benefit the state's environment and their communities.
Youth Day since 1964 has brought together hundreds of members of 4-H clubs, scout troops, school groups and their families.
Youth projects will still be judged and winners recognized this spring, Hoskins said. More than $15,000 in awards is presented to the winners.
Junior Conversation Camp was scheduled for June 21-25 at Cedar Lakes in Ripley. The overnight camp which originated in 1981 attracts around 200 West Virginians ages 11-14.
Camp instructors include staff from the Division of Environmental Protection, Division of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and West Virginia University Extension Office.