NCAR Announces Environmental Stewardship Awards to Four Local Schools

BOULDER -- The National Center for Atmospheric Research is pleased to announce Environmental Stewardship Awards to four local schools in honor of Earth Day 1999. The "Greenie" awards recognize special Earth Day projects in the areas of recycling, composting, environmental education, energy, conservation, sustainability, and air and water quality. Funding for materials to complete the projects is being provided through a grant from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District for Boulder County.

"The Greenies were created to encourage students not only to think about the environment but to come up with creative ways to take action on its behalf," says Linda Carbone of NCAR's Outreach Program. Winning submissions were judged for creativity, impact on the community, feasibility, and cost effectiveness.

The 1999 Greenie Awards

Two sixth grade classes from Angevine Middle School have planned an Earth Day hike to nearby Waneka Reservoir to reseed an area damaged by recent construction. Students will sow wild grasses and wildflowers native to the area.

Seventh and eighth grade art students at Casey Middle School have created "Trash Animals" inspired by the colorful wood alebrijes created by artists in Oaxaca, Mexico. Each animal is accompanied by a drawing of its recycled contents.

The Centaurus High School Stream Team will work with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to do an intensive evaluation of water quality in Coal Creek from its source near the Peak to Peak Highway to its confluence with Boulder Creek. Their day-long investigation will result in a report for distribution to interested citizens.

All of the students of Rocky Mountain School will participate in the creation of ten rooftop gardens conducive to wild bird habitat at their school building in downtown Boulder. The unique environment will serve as a learning lab for the school, as well as an ecological renewal area in an urban space.

Scheduled events

Whole Foods Market will display the Casey Middle School "Trash Animals" project for three weeks, beginning April 17.

Award ceremonies will be conducted at each of the winning schools in connection with Earth Week observances. Contacts at each school are provided below.

NCAR is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research under sponsorship by the National Science Foundation.

Event Contacts

Angevine Middle School	Lisa Turner	303-665-5540
Casey Middle School	Molly Hoverstock	303-442-5235
Centaurus High School	Jeff Writer	303-665-9211
Rocky Mountain School	John Martin	303-545-9230
Whole Foods	Stephanie Solton	303-545-6611