For Immediate Release Contact Information:

May 3, 2006 Patti Bressman, CELF EXPO Coordinator

(914) 238-4743

patti@celfoundation.org

Schools from New York City and throughout the Lower Hudson Valley Participate in the Students for a Sustainable Future EXPO

Schools participating in the Students for a Sustainable Future EXPO were exposed to a unique event that brought green technologies and know-how from a diverse group of exhibitors to middle and high school students from throughout the region. Organized by The Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF), the event was designed to inspire students to think about their future and the various of areas of study and careers that will be required in the 21^st century for a vibrant economy and sustainable planet.

The positive response from schools, organizations and corporations participating was outstanding. Exhibitor space and school field trip reservations were filled to capacity. Response was so positive from exhibitors and attendees that event host Pace University (Pleasantville campus), immediately reserved more then double the space for EXPO’07 (April 27, 2007), making the EXPO a regular event to conclude their Earth Month celebrations. CELF has already begun accepting on-line registration for EXPO’07.

EXPO 2006 highlights:

¨Two-day event attendance totaled over to 700 students, teachers, exhibitors, and EXPO volunteers. Fieldtrips included students from Manhattan, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Rockland Counties, NY;

¨26 schools and youth groups participated by creating exhibits of their own design, demonstrating a variety of learning in related fields. Several of the student exhibits were collaborative efforts with corporations or with other schools;

¨52 exhibits in total, including a variety of topics: solar and alternative energy (The Solar Center and NYSERDA) ; hybrid and compressed natural gas vehicles (Toyota City and Honda/Homeland Energy); socially responsible investing and corporate social responsibility (Smith Barney and Cameron-Cole); sustainable innovation and design (Nike; Mohawk Papers; Environmental Building Association of NYS); green building and planning (Green Builders Council, WCI Communities, Mannington Floors, Green Courage, Westchester County Planning Department, AGSAC) ; biodiversity (Trout Unlimited, The American Museum of Natural History); environmental conservation and preservation (DEP, The Sierra Club, WorldWatch) ; education (Columbia University’s Earth Institute, ZERI, P/NW Boces, Creative Change Educational Solutions, Green Grassroots Environmental Education, FCWC/WESC, The Video Project, IdealBite, DoRite Enterprises, CELF), and organic and fair trade agriculture and products (Eileen Fisher, Equal Exchange, Patagonia; Todd Shapera Photography) with sample goodie-bags from event co-sponsor Whole Foods Markets for all visiting students.

¨Over 600 pairs of sneakers were collected by students at their schools and brought to a Reuse-A-Shoe drop-off booth created by students and CELF volunteers and manned by Nike for Women store managers from The Westchester mall. The booth was designed to explain the process of “upcycling” (through the Nike Grind Program), a process where old sneakers are ground up and turned into new playground surfaces for needy children.

“Students hear about environmental issues and economic concerns all around the world. This event gave students an idea of the positive, inspiring reactions from corporations and communities as to what can and is being done to address these problems. Students came away from the EXPO with their minds spinning with excitement and interest. We can’t wait to participate next year with an exhibit of our own!” Westchester High School Science Teacher.

“Thanks so much for organizing the EXPO -- Everything about the event was ‘first class.’ The exhibits were fun and informative, and the Thursday speakers did a great job of challenging us to get more involved in promoting sustainability! You really put together an excellent mix of exhibitors to provide a sense of the many different ways that people of all ages can make a difference and "change the world.”

William Lawyer, Exhibitor

Executive Director, Greenburgh Nature Center

About The Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF) – The Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that collaborates with school districts and teachers to raise awareness of sustainable development and to help incorporate it into K-12 education programs. More information is available online at www.celfoundation.org.