WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the National Park Service will mark 50 years of partnership by assembling more than 500 student environmental leaders from around the nation at EarthVision: Actions for a Healthy Planet, April 25-27 in Washington, D.C.
EarthVision, a first-of-its-kind youth conservation summit, will kick-off with a mix of music, message and monuments at the Department of the Interior's Sidney Yates Auditorium in Washington, D.C. at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 25. The ceremony will feature performances by the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the National Park Service Honor Guard, and a local youth choral group, as well as presentations by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar, members of the U.S. Congress, SCA Founder Elizabeth Cushman Titus Putnam, and SCA's volunteer leadership, before attendees fan out to capital-area parks for afternoon service projects.
"Our national parks benefit so much from the dedicated service of SCA volunteers," says NPS Director Bomar. "I look forward to joining with today's young conservation leaders and others who want to forge a more healthy environment, protect our public lands, and guide us toward a brighter tomorrow."
On Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, EarthVision shifts to the National 4H Center in Chevy Chase, MD, for dozens of nationally-renowned speakers, engaging panel discussions, and collaborative tactical planning focusing on four program tracks: Countering Climate Change, Preserving Parks and Public Lands, Connecting Youth to Nature, and Advancing Diversity in the Outdoors.
"EarthVision is about exchanging ideas, developing strategies, and -- above all -- taking action," states SCA Executive Vice President Valerie Bailey. "Our objective is to harness the expertise and energy at EarthVision to change the course of conservation for a more sustainable future."
Advance registration, including lodging, meals and ground transportation is just $145 for students through March 1, 2008 ($185 thereafter). Groups of six may register for the price of five. Learn more and register at thesca.org/earthvision_summit.
EarthVision: Actions for a Healthy Planet is the keystone commemorative event of SCA's 50th anniversary. SCA is a national force of conservation volunteers. Since 1957, SCA has helped to develop new generations of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save the planet. For more, visit thesca.org.
The Student Conservation Association logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3693