J.H. Hull Middle School Builds Two Sustainble Gardens Thanks to Chevrolet and CBS’ EcoMedia

(3BL Media) Torrance, CA – March 14, 2012 – CBS EcoMedia Inc. (“EcoMedia”), Torrance Unified School District, and Chevrolet unveiled today two sustainable gardens at Hull Middle School. Chevrolet’s Western Region purchased EcoAd advertising on local CBS stations, meaning that Chevy’s ads would be tied to tangible improvements in communities to support the environment. 

Chevrolet’s EcoAd advertising provided funding to support the installation of two sustainable gardens and state-of-the-art irrigation systems in the Hull Middle School courtyards. As an example of responsible landscaping for the students and surrounding community, the gardens will incorporate “zero-runoff” and water efficient irrigation technologies, and will be integrated into the school’s science and nutrition curriculum. This project is part of a complete energy efficient reconstruction of the middle school, which is the district’s first new campus in 40 years. The inclusion of these gardens will create 23,040 hours of labor for workers in the local community.

On hand for the unveiling were:  Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) Superintendent, Dr. George Mannon, Hull Middle School Principal, Barry Lafferty, Paul Polizzotto, President & Founder, CBS EcoMedia Inc., City of Torrance Councilmembers Gene Barnett, Susan M. Rhilinger, and Bill Sutherland, TUSD Board Members Don Lee and Michael Wermers, Tim Powers, Manager of the GM Technology Center, Steve Mauldin, President & General Manager, CBS 2 and KCAL 9 and Torrance Chamber of Commerce Board Members, Sue Moylan and Pat Sandt.

"We love helping to make projects like this happen at schools because they have tangible impacts on so many levels," says Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder of EcoMedia.  "This is sustainably responsible landscaping that will benefit not only the school but the surrounding community thanks to their zero runoff system and water efficiency.  The lessons these gardens teach now become part of the J.H. Hull Middle School's science and math education.  It's a wonderful example of the difference public-private partnerships can make," Polizzotto added.

"Chevrolet is very proud to provide the funding for these two sustainable gardens and the state-of-the-art irrigation systems that feed them," offered Craig Vickers, Chevrolet's Western Region Marketing Manager. "We are delighted that the EcoAd program gave us the opportunity to make such a long lasting difference in the lives and education of these young students in a community we care so much about and have been part of for so long."

Dr. George Mannon, Torrance Unified School District Superintendent, added, “We are so excited about the educational opportunities the new ecogardens will provide our students. Concepts like plant structure, classification, and pollination, will become more than just topics read in textbooks, but tangible lessons that will provide enhanced learning experiences.”

About CBS EcoMedia Inc.

At EcoMedia, we're propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that's been our mission since we founded the company in 2002.  In 2008, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide-range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media.

Through our patent-pending EcoAd program, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local environmental projects which, in turn, creates jobs, saves taxpayer money, and improves the environment.  In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change.

We invite you to visit ecoad.cbs.com to learn more about the improvements EcoMedia is making in communities across the country. 

By participating in the EcoAd program, EcoAd advertisers agree to provide funding for 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.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers

with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com  More information about Chevy’s sustainability projects can be found at www.chevycarbonreduction.com.

About J.H. Hull Middle School

J.H. Hull Middle School opened in 1970 and is named after Dr. John Henrich “Hank” Hull, the first Superintendent of the District. Today, J.H. Hull Middle School still continues a tradition of excellence.  As the only new school built in TUSD in over 40 years, the teachers, students, support staff, anparents are very excited about all the educational possibilities their new campus will provide. The reopening of Hull Middle School was made possible through School Bond Measures Y and Z, which were passed in 2008.

About Torrance Unified School District

Torrance Unified School District was established in 1947, unified in 1948, and is located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. The Torrance Unified School District strives to ensure that each and every student is educated and prepared to succeed in life. We are dedicated to maximizing individual potential and developing lifelong learners who will be contributing members in a global society. It currently serves approximately 24,000 students, and includes 17 elementary schools, eight middle schools, four high schools, one continuation school and one alternative high school.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Tammy Khan, Torrance Unified School District, TKhan@tusd.org  310 972 6152

Janice Sakamoto, EcoMedia,  Janice.sakamoto@ecomediacbs.com 310 871 6889

Mike Nelson, CBS2 & KCAL 9, MNelson3@cbs.com  818 655 2156