[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Director Owens Announces Student Environmental Pledge and Other Activities for Earth Day 2008

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Director Owens Announces Student Environmental Pledge and Other
Activities for Earth Day 2008

PHOENIX (March 31, 2008) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) Director Steve Owens announced today that hundreds of elementary
and junior high school students are expected to sign an "Earth Day
Pledge" to "recycle, conserve energy and save water to protect Arizona's
resources" leading up to Earth Day, April 22.

ADEQ will circulate the pledge through its regional offices in Tucson
and Flagstaff and   through its community liaisons in Yuma, St. Johns
and Safford.  It is also available on the ADEQ Web site at
http://www.azdeq.gov/function/education/index.html	

The Pledge asks children to recycle, turn off the water while brushing
their teeth, turn off the lights when leaving a room, donate old usable
toys and books instead of throwing them away, riding a bike or walking
when they can, to never litter and to dispose of trash properly, and to
turn off the TV and electronic games when they are not in use.  

"This is a great way for students to get involved in Earth Day and for
teachers to help generate discussion of environmental issues," Director
Owens said. 

ADEQ staff will be present with educational activities at these April
Earth Month events:
* April 12, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m: Girl Scout Jamboree, YMCA Chauncey
Ranch, Mayer. 
* April 13, 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.: City of Glendale Family Bike Ride, Sahuaro
Ranch Park,  9802 N. 59th Ave., Glendale.
* April 16, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Go Green Gateway Event, Gateway Community
College, 108 N. 40th St., Phoenix.
* April 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Earth Day Festival and Parade, off Country
Club Drive near Reid Park Zoo, Tucson.
* April 19, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Healthy Living/Healthy Planet Earth Day
Celebration, 339 Posse Grounds Road, Sedona.
* April 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: White Mountain Earth Day Celebration,
Northland Pioneer College, 1001 W. Deuce of Clubs, Show Low.
* April 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Earth Day "Party for the Planet," Phoenix
Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix.
* April 22 (Earth Day), 8 a.m. - noon:  Earth Day Event, Scottsdale
Community College, 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale.
* April 23, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m: Earth Day Event, Pima Community College,
7600 N. Shannon Road, Tucson.
* April 23, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Arizona Army National Guard Earth Day
Event, Papago Military Reservation, 5636 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix.

ADEQ'S EARTH DAY PLEDGE

I pledge to make Earth Day every day and do all I can to help 
the environment.

I pledge to recycle, conserve energy and save water to protect Arizona's
natural resources.

I pledge to help my family and school learn how they can help 
the environment and prevent pollution for a cleaner and 
healthier Arizona.

I pledge to do one or more of the following:

* Recycle cans and bottles instead of throwing them away.
* Turn off the water while brushing my teeth and ask my family to do the
same.
* Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
* Donate old usable toys and books instead of throwing them away.
* Ride a bike or walk when I can.
* Never litter and dispose of my trash properly.
* Turn off the TV and electronic games when they are not in use.

Student's First Name	
Date
School

-30-

News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

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