WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Student Conservation Association (SCA), a national force of conservation volunteers, has announced that Billy Parish, founder of the Energy Action Coalition, will deliver the keynote address at EarthVision, Actions for a Healthy Planet, SCA's first-of-its-kind youth conservation summit in Washington, DC, April 24-27. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar will be the featured speakers at EarthVision's kick-off ceremony at the Department of the Interior.
EarthVision will engage more than 500 student leaders in a collaborative effort with environmental authorities, elected officials, land management professionals, top scientists and others to craft action-oriented strategies to protect our planet. Parish, an advocate for green jobs, campus sustainability and youth empowerment, is among today's most influential voices on the issue of climate change.
"Climate change is the defining issue of our generation," states Parish. "I believe we need a 'Clean Energy Corps' to mobilize Americans around clean energy and energy efficiency...fighting both poverty and pollution at the same time."
Recently named a Fellow by Ashoka, a global association of social entrepreneurs, Parish has also been recognized by Mother Jones magazine as "Student Activist of the Year" and Rolling Stone as a "Climate Hero." More than 40 other leading environmental authorities will present at EarthVision, including:
-- Cheryl Charles, Ph.D., President of the Children and Nature
Network
-- Dr. James Hansen, NASA climate scientist
-- Charles Jordan, Chairman of The Conservation Fund
-- Tom Kiernan, President of the National Parks Conservation
Association
-- Simran Sethi, NBC News environmental correspondent
-- Iantha Gantt-Wright, President of The Kenian Group
EarthVision is presented in cooperation with the National Park Service and a cornerstone of SCA's 50th anniversary commemoration. The summit will focus on four priority issues: Countering Climate Change, Connecting Youth to Nature, Preserving Parks and Public Lands, and Advancing Diversity in the Outdoors.
EarthVision's opening ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 25th at the Department of the Interior's main auditorium, followed by conservation service projects at capital-area national parks. Plenary sessions, strategic planning and entertainment events are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 26th and 27th, at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD and downtown Washington. For a full conference agenda, visit thesca.org/earthvision_summit.
Attendance for EarthVision is limited and early registration is recommended. To register or for more information, visit thesca.org.
Since 1957, SCA's active, hands-on practice of conservation has helped to develop new generations of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save the planet. The presenting sponsor of SCA's 50th anniversary activities is American Eagle Outfitters, with additional support from Mazda, Hill & Knowlton, and the National Park Service. To learn more, visit thesca.org.
The Student Conservation Association logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3693
National Park Service logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4683