DINGMANS FERRY, PA — With support from local businesses through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) can provide more opportunities for Pennsylvania students to experience hands-on environmental education, PEEC said.

As an approved Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) since 2011, PEEC serves an average of 1,000 students annually from the Stroudsburg Area, East Stroudsburg Area, Delaware Valley and Wallenpaupack Area School Districts through the EITC program. This year marks PEEC’s 15th year as an EIO, with over 10,000 local students served since 2011.

PEEC’s educational programs align with PA STEELS standards and include interactive classroom lessons and hands-on field activities in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, encouraging long-term environmental stewardship, the organization said. 

At PEEC, students explore the EcoZone Discovery Room, participate in guided interpretive hikes, and learn through programs covering such topics as stream study, geology, sustainability and forest ecology. EITC donations create more opportunities for STEM education, helping students connect classroom learning to real-world conservation, PEEC said.

PEEC is grateful to the Dime Bank, Wayne Bank, the Honesdale National Bank, Weis Markets and Waste Management for contributions totaling $29,000 in 2025. This support enabled over 1,000 students across Northeast PA to participate in classroom outreach and field trips in the 2025-2026 school year that otherwise might not have been financially possible.

Established in 2001 and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program provides eligible Pennsylvania businesses with tax credits for contributions to approved educational improvement organizations, scholarship organizations and pre-kindergarten scholarship organizations. Businesses can receive a tax credit equal to 75 percent of their contribution, increasing to 90 percent when committing to the same level of giving for two consecutive tax years.

Through EITC, businesses can invest directly in educational opportunities that benefit local students while receiving significant Pennsylvania tax credits, PEEC said. 

PEEC welcomes partnerships with businesses across Pennsylvania interested in supporting environmental education through EITC contributions. Additional EITC funding will allow PEEC to partner with more school districts, reach more students and increase access to high-quality, standards-aligned environmental education throughout the region.

To get involved as a supporter, contact Amber Ameen aameen@peec.org or learn more about the EITC program at www.dced.pa.gov/programs/educational-improvement-tax-credit-program-eitc/.