Hundreds Celebrate Environmental Charter High School Annual Community Forum and Special Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Solar Greenhouse

(3BL Media) Lawndale, CA - Hundreds of state and local leaders, neighbors, parents, teachers, administrators and students converged on the campus of Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) in Lawndale, Calif. today for its annual Community Forum, a curriculum-based event in which students shared their perspectives on environmental issues, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating completion of the school’s new solar greenhouse.

Through the EcoAd program, Pacific Coast Termite, Inc. provided funding to support the addition of the greenhouse to ECHS’s Science Center, including installation of a 3kW rooftop solar energy system on the greenhouse and a solar-powered water pump to irrigate plants in the greenhouse. The Pacific Coast Termite financial support also funded an environmentally friendly XT-2000 Orange Oil termite treatment for the greenhouse.

Additional funding for the greenhouse was provided by Chevron, Google, Cuningham Group and the Weingart, S. Mark Taper and Ahmanson Foundations.

Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) Founder and Executive Director Alison Suffet-Diaz and EcoMedia Founder and President Paul Polizzotto hosted the ribbon cutting that included presentations by Calif. State Assemblyman Steve Bradford (AD-51); Jed Wallace, president and CEO of California Charter Schools Association; James Grande and Dennis Wilson, co-owners of Pacific Coast Termite; ECS Board President Ken Deemer; and ECHS Principal Jenni Taylor. Representatives from Cuningham Group, Google, the Weingart Foundation and S. Mark Taper Foundation also attended.

"This greenhouse project is a perfect example of how public-private partnerships make a powerful positive difference for communities on a variety of levels," Polizzotto said. "Not only will the solar panels and solar pump help save the school money by cutting electrical use, it will also give the students at Environmental Charter High School first-hand experience with how the solar systems work and the impact they will have," Polizzotto added.

About Environmental Charter Schools:

Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) is a network of free public K-12 schools that prepares students for 4-year colleges through experiential learning and by exploring the environment as a learning tool both inside and outside the classroom. This unique learning approach engages students in project-based learning and prepares them to become leaders in their communities while increasing public awareness of ECS’s environmentally focused programs and curricula.

In keeping with the school’s overall commitment to sustainability, the Science Center was built in accordance with LEED* specifications established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It was designed to save energy, water and resources, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and making ECHS a healthier learning environment.

*LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building certification system.

About CBS EcoMedia, Inc.

EcoMedia is the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, providing a green value-add for advertisers across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor. Through the groundbreaking EcoAd program, EcoMedia offers advertisers the unique ability to make tangible improvements to communities and the environment while also connecting more effectively with their consumers. This unique business model provides advertisers with an option for their media purchasing in a manner that is meaningful and tangible. Each EcoAd devotes a portion of the media buy to fund environmental projects in communities across the United States. For more information on EcoMedia, please visit www.ecomediacbs.com.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each EcoAd goes to projects we believe will benefit the environment. EcoAd is not a certification program nor is the EcoAd logo a seal of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoAd advertisers, their products or services. Please visit ecoad.cbs.com for more information.

About Pacific Coast Termite, Inc.

With offices conveniently located throughout California, Pacific Coast Termite, Inc. is the state’s largest certified specialist for eco-friendly XT-2000 Orange Oil termite treatment. Offering two-year warranties on its termite services, Pacific Coast not only controls current termite infestation, but treats homes, apartment buildings and businesses with preventative pest control treatments to help protect against future termite infestation. Learn more about Pacific Coast Termite at http://www.pacificcoasttermite.com/.

BBPR, Inc.
Dienna D’Olimpio
310-656-4668
ddolimpio@bbprinc.com
or
CBS EcoMedia, Inc.
Janice Sakamoto
310-374-8212
Janice.Sakamoto@ecomediacbs.com