FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 6, 2009
Pine Ridge Middle School named ‘Champion of the Environment’
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Pine Ridge Middle School in West Columbia has been recognized as a Champion of the Environment for its “Tying It Together: Healthy Soil, Healthy Water, Healthy Plants, Healthy Students” project, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
“‘Tying it Together’ is a wonderful hands-on project that engages students in meaningful environmental stewardship while teaching them healthy habits for today and the future,” said Lynne LaSalle, coordinator for Champions of the Environment. “Student efforts will reduce air and water pollution while expanding an outdoor classroom and garden.”
According to LaSalle, seventh grade science students will prepare and plant an organic vegetable and flower garden that will be watered using captured rainwater. The garden will improve air quality by reducing the area to be mown on campus, which means fewer lawn mower emissions, and protect water quality by transplanting sod to locations where soil is unprotected, thereby reducing erosion.
“Composted lunchroom scraps will provide nutrients for the garden, and the garden will provide opportunities for teachers to address a variety of academic standards with their students and introduce students to healthy food choices from the garden,” LaSalle said.
As a Champion of the Environment, Pine Ridge Middle will receive a $2,000 cash grant. The school will also receive Champions give-away items, be featured on the Champions’ Web site, and a commercial will be made about the project and aired on WIS-TV in Columbia and WCSC-TV in Charleston.
Champions of the Environment supports environmental action in South Carolina’s kindergarten through 12th grade students through its grant award program. Champions is sponsored by DHEC, Eastman Chemical Company, International Paper, WCSC-TV, and WIS-TV with assistance from the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina. Applications for Champions’ next round of grants are due January 15.
For more information, visit the Champions Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/champions, or call LaSalle at (803) 898-4394.
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For more information:
Lynne LaSalle - (803) 898-4394
E-mail - lasallli@dhec.sc.gov
or
Adam Myrick - (803) 898-3884
E-mail - myrickar@dhec.sc.gov
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