AUBURN — KIDS Consortium has announced that more than 30 grants totaling $21,000 were awarded to grades kindergarten to 12 schools around New England for “green” service-learning projects, such as recycling, energy efficiency and community gardens.

Locally, several schools will be awarded grants, including Walton Elementary School in Auburn and Poland Regional High School.

Students involved in the projects will also have an opportunity to participate in the KIDS Consortium 2010 Green Schools Student Summit where they will share their projects with students from around the region. Funding for the initiative is provided by grants from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, the Horizon Foundation, the Sam L. Cohen Foundation, L.L. Bean and Poland Spring.

For a complete list of projects and information on the summit, visit www.kidsconsortium.org/greenschools.php.

Based in Auburn, KIDS (Kids Involved Doing Service-Learning) Consortium helps transform classrooms and communities through an educational model that has touched more than a quarter-million students across New England and New York. The mission is to prepare young people to be active and responsible citizens by training and supporting educators, community organizations and youth in best practices for service-learning.