Earth Force and General Motors Foundation Partner Up to Recognize “GREEN” Educators Nationwide

Sept. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Earth Force and the General Motors Foundation are teaming up to reward teachers, college professors and volunteers who have taken an initiative to integrate environmental education into their schools and community programs by presenting the prestigious Chevrolet GREEN Educator Award.

“It’s exhilarating to see that so many of our nation’s educators are working hard to engage young people as active citizens who want to improve the environment,” said Lisa Bardwell, President and CEO of Earth Force. “We want to recognize educators who are making a real difference in the lives of young people and show them that their efforts do not go unnoticed.”

“We are excited to join Earth Force in honoring these innovative “GREEN” educators for the amazing work that they do to create the next generation of leaders,” said Vivian Pickard, President of the GM Foundation. “Educators like those we will honor through this award represent the very best of our educational system, and we are proud to join them in engaging America’s youth as leaders.”

Educators of all kinds, including K-12 classroom teachers, higher education faculty and informal community-based instructors who have made a substantial effort to promote environmental engagement among youth are eligible for the award. The GM Foundation and Earth Force will reward five educators each month in the search to find the 20 best “GREEN” educators nationwide. The first five winners will be announced in September during National School Success Month. Winners will also be featured on the Earth Force website, along with their teaching tools and ways they get their students involved. Some prerequisites for possible award winners are: keeping students active in their community, helping students understand the importance of the relationship between civic life and environmental health, and also encouraging other educators, administration, and community members to do the same. Students and teachers have the opportunity to nominate an educator they feel best exemplifies these assets. To nominate your favorite “GREEN” educator, visit http://greeneducator.org. Remember, there will only be five winners each month, so make sure your favorite environmentally active educator is the one being recognized.

For more information about The Chevrolet GREEN Educator Award and Earth Force’s mission to keep youth active and educated, please contact Dave Saunders at 804-521-4141 or daves@madisonmain.com.

# # #

GM GREEN is a partnership between General Motors, community-based organizations in GM communities and the nonprofit organization Earth Force. Through the program, young people are challenged to be active community citizens, tackling water quality issues with hands-on science. More than 8,500 students participate every year, and this number will continue to grow as schools see the benefits of watershed-based education and problem solving.

www.gm.com/corporate/responsibility/community

www.earthforce.org