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| Office of the Secretary |
CONTACT: Shane Wolfe
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| For Immediate Release: May 24, 2005 |
(202) 208-6416
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Interior Secretary Gale Norton announces designation
of first Take Pride in America school |
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The announcement followed a wetlands restoration project involving 52 Carmel River School students at the Carmel River State Park, along with Secretary Norton, Eastwood, youth from the California Conservation Corps, and other volunteers.
To be designated as a Take Pride in America School, a school must commit to participating in two Take Pride in America volunteer projects each year benefiting public lands. Participation can be by an entire school, a class or even an after-school club. Designated schools are eligible for national awards, as well as other recognition.
"I am pleased to announce both the Take Pride School program, and the designation of Carmel River School as our first Take Pride School," said Norton. "The faculty, staff, parents and students of Carmel River School have made a conscious decision to make both community service and environmental education priorities for the students. Principal Jay Marden is setting a wonderful example of leadership in these priorities. We are proud to welcome Carmel River School into the Take Pride program," said Norton.
In addressing students, staff and parents and Take Pride in America partners at the school, Secretary Norton and Take Pride in America executive director Marti Allbright both expressed their gratitude to Clint Eastwood, who serves as the national spokesman for Take Pride in America. Earlier in the day, Eastwood recorded a series of public service announcements to air nationally later this year. Secretary Norton presented Eastwood with a special Take Pride in America award to commemorate his contributions of time and talent to the program.
"I am very happy to help further the mission of Take Pride in America. It was a cause I supported when it was first launched 20 years ago, and the message of caring for our public lands is one that I continue to support," said Eastwood.
The public service announcements recorded today will air on national and local broadcast and cable outlets beginning this summer.
Take Pride in America,® part of the Department of the Interior, is a national partnership program that encourages, supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas. With more than 100 Charter Partners, Take Pride involves Federal, state and local governments; conservation, youth and recreation groups; and top national corporations and organizations. Together, we protect and enhance the special legacy all Americans share - our public lands that cover more than one in every three acres across the Nation. For more information visit: www.TakePride.gov.
Carmel River School, part of the Carmel Unified School District, is a public school serving nearly 400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Following a recent parent survey in which parents expressed interest in their children becoming more involved in community service activities, Carmel River School has already this year engaged in four volunteer projects, including one tsunami relief effort which raised more than $5,000. Jay Marden is the principal of Carmel River School.
-- DOI --
B-roll and Soundbites Available
Requested Courtesy -- "Video courtesy: U.S. Department of the Interior"
Requested Courtesy -- "Video courtesy: U.S. Department of the Interior"
SATELLITE COORDINATES: Galaxy 3C - Transponder C6 (C-Band Analog) 95 deg. West
(Both feeds) Uplink Frequency 6045 H / Downlink Frequency 3820 V
Audio 6.2, 6.8
SIMULTANEOUS FEED ON: IA6/K6, Slot 1 Uplink Frequency 1136.5V/Downlink Frequency 11836.5H
These feeds will also be encoded and broadcast on Pathfire.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact Shane Wolfe 202-208-6416
SATELLITE FEED INQUIRIES: Contact Ralf Black at Network Teleports 504-942-9200
Requested Courtesy: "Video courtesy: U.S. Department of the Interior"
Suggested script language provided by U.S. Department of the Interior:
Oscar winning actor/director Clint Eastwood, national spokesperson for Take Pride in America, and Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton, joined a team of volunteers to kick off this year's Summer Volunteer Campaign.
52 elementary school-aged students from Carmel River School joined Secretary Norton, Eastwood, and other volunteers at the Odello Barn area of Carmel River State Park, Carmel, CA to plant a selection of native plants, mark additional sections for future planting, and build fencing to protect delicate areas from foot traffic.
This effort reminds all Americans that the maintenance of public lands is everyone's responsibility and each person can lend a hand and help by volunteering their skills, time and energy.
Following the clean-up and planting at Carmel River State Park, Secretary Norton honored Carmel River School as the first Take Pride in America School with a certificate, in recognition of the school's various volunteer activities and projects.
Clint Eastwood was also honored with a certificate at the ceremony for his dedication to land and wetland preservation and other volunteer efforts.
900 million acres of the United States (1/3 of it total land mass) is designated as public land. That includes everything from national, state and local parks to landmarks, public streets and highways and rivers, lakes, streams and oceans.
There are numerous for ways for schools, organizations, groups, and, of course, individuals to help. Log on to www.takepride.gov to find out more about available volunteer opportunities.
Take Pride in America slogan: Its Your Land. Lend a Hand.
Note: Sound bites are expected from:
Clint Eastwood
Gale A. Norton
Marti Allbright
Jay Marden
several volunteers
Requested courtesy -- "Video courtesy: U.S. Department of the Interior"
For additional information about the day's events, visit: www.doi.gov/tpia.
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