Wescott Junior High School teacher Steve Pomelow has been awarded the 2005 Environmental Educator Award from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Pomelow will receive the award on May 3 at a ceremony attended by Gov. John Baldacci and officials from the EPA and Maine’s Drinking Water Program.

Pomelow was nominated for the national award, which is presented annually to teachers who demonstrate a commitment to educating their students about protecting drinking water supplies, by officials from the Portland Water District.

Last year, Pomelow invited the water district’s HydroLogics educational team into his classroom each month to discuss water-related issues with his students. As part of these lessons, Pomelow’s students undertook several different projects regarding water, drinking water and wastewater issues. Each spring, Pomelow and his students conduct a river cleanup at the banks of the Presumpscot River, and the students have used the river cleanup as a way to generate donations to the conservation group Friends of the Presumpscot River.

Lynne Richard, environmental education coordinator for the Portland Water District, praised Pomelow’s efforts to educate his students about the importance of protecting Maine’s water supply.

“During my monthly visits to Steve’s classroom, I have been impressed with his passion for environmental education, his deep commitment to promoting stewardship in his students and his dedication to high learning standards every day,” she said. “Steve Pomelow works hard to ensure that future generations will value and protect Maine’s water resources.”

-Mike Higgins