FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2004
CONTACT: Leigh Ann Asklar, (850) 245-2112

Florida's 5th Graders Become Stewards of the Earth

--Environmental education program challenges students, promotes conservation--

ACROSS FLORIDA - Students across Florida are gaining insight into environmental education with the help of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Walt Disney’s® favorite “green” friend, Jiminy Cricket. Classrooms are registering for Jiminy Cricket’s Environmentality Challenge which encourages students to explore the importance of environmental protection and stewardship.

“Hands-on learning about our natural resources is an investment in Florida’s economic, social and environmental future,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “The Environmentality Challenge invites every student to keep Florida healthy by conserving resources in their communities.”

The statewide challenge, spearheaded by Walt Disney World® and DEP, promotes environmental education and encourages fifth graders to actively participate in the protection of their local environment. Each year, all state fifth grade classes are invited to take the challenge. Since 1998, almost 19,000 students have completed a community or schoolyard environmental project and more than 55,000 students have pledged to help protect the environment.

During the two part environmental challenge, students sign a class pledge to reduce, reuse, recycle and protect the environment through daily activities. In addition, classes can compete for prizes through the Pledge Plus Class Project, which allows students to design and complete a community conservation project.

Last year, West Gate Elementary School students in West Palm Beach earned a trip to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom by increasing neighborhood recycling by 25 percent.