April 22nd is Earth Day and in celebration, several federal and state organizations and natural resource partners formed a coalition to recognize some of Denver's educators who take the opportunity to incorporate natural resources and environmental issues into their curriculum. The Coalition developed a contest to encourage Elementary School teachers within the Denver Public School System to plan new Earth Day activities, and/or publicize their on-going Earth Day efforts. Ellis Elementary won this year's contest and will be visited by and receive a trophy from Governor Owens. The Governor's presentation will be held at Ellis Elementary School (1651 S. Dahlia) on Earth Day, April 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

"We're very excited about this activity," says Petra Barnes, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), state public affairs specialist and Coalition member. "We're particularly pleased with the response we received from participating schools. They're doing some tremendous work on behalf of our environment. Several programs were quite involved, incorporating science, math and art into their projects."

Barnes goes on to say, "We're also delighted with the level of support we've received from the Governor, his staff, and from federal and state natural resource leaders." In addition to the Governor's presentation, USDA's Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Mark Rey is scheduled to make a presentation as well as Don Ament, Colorado's Commissioner of Agriculture, the US Forest Service Regional Forester, and Allen Green, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist for Colorado.

"We support an event of this kind, because it is terribly important," Allen Green states. "As our children are our future foresters, conservationists, teachers, biologists, and Governors it's essential that early on they begin to understand the environment in which they live and begin to appreciate and protect the precious natural resources that surrounds them."

The Coalition may come together in support of other natural resource related issues, but it is certain that they will hold another contest next year to honor another school with the 2003 Earth Day School of the Year Award.

For additional information regarding the Coalition and the awards celebration, please feel free to contact Petra Barnes at 720-544-2808.