More Than 1,000 Volunteers to Serve in SCA Earth Day Projects Nationwide

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Charlestown, NH  - April 19, 2011 - The Student Conservation Association (SCA), the national leader in youth service and stewardship, will engage more than 1,000 volunteers in Earth Day service projects in ten major U.S. cities, the green nonprofit announced today.

SCA members, local community volunteers and employees of corporate partners Amtrak, ARAMARK, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, and FedEx will build hiking trails, remove invasives, plant community gardens and beautify urban parks in celebration of Earth Day.

"As Amtrak celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, our employees are proud to join SCA to improve parks throughout the country and recommit ourselves to reducing our environmental impact in order to leave behind a better world for a new generation of rail passengers," said Roy Deitchman, Amtrak Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety.

"For ARAMARK, environmental volunteerism is part of our commitment to identify practical ways for our employees to participate in protecting the environment," says Rick Martella, ARAMARK Vice President, Corporate Affairs. "The Earth Day projects support our employees and their communities by leveraging our reach and partnerships against a common goal."

"We're cultivating a sustainability mindset throughout our company. Providing employees with opportunities to volunteer on conservation initiatives in their communities is a key part of our efforts. That's why we're very pleased to be partnering with SCA on these Earth Day activities," said Tina Barry, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

"Our joint effort with SCA enables FedEx team members to improve the urban space that we share in communities where we live and work," said Mitch Jackson, vice president, environmental affairs and sustainability, FedEx Corp. "We value helping to connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways."

"The combination of generous financial support and broad employee engagement really distinguishes these partners as conscientious environmental leaders," states SCA Communications Director Deirdre Fitzgerald. "SCA is grateful to work alongside them as we marked the 41st annual Earth Day."

SCA Earth Day projects include:  

Boston

• Wednesday, April 27, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM, Mattahunt Woods, Mattapan, MA

• Invasive species removal and debris removal, light trash pickup and trail work

Oakland/Bay Area

• Saturday, April 16, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Dimond Park

• Invasive species removal, planting and trail work with Friends of Sausal Creek

Chicago

• Saturday, April 16, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Pocket Parks, specifically 25th and Keeler; 26th and Trumbull; and Petroski Park - 31st and Keeler

• Gardening, mulching, raised bed construction, fence construction, general clean up with partner Community of Little Village

Stamford

• Saturday, April 16, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Mill River Playground

• Lawn seed planting, river clean up, and planting of 4,000 native flowers, plus family-oriented activities with Mill River Collaborative

Houston

• Friday, April 22, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Little Cypress Creek Preserve, 14900 Telge Road

• Trail restoration and general clean up through partnership with Bayou Land Conservancy

• Sunday, May 1, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Houston's Fifth Ward (near Lockwood Dr. and I-10 area)

• Tree planting day with City of Houston and Mayor's Office

Milwaukee

• Saturday, April 16, 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm, Urban Ecology Center Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th Street

• Invasive removal, planting, and educational outreach

Philadelphia

• Saturday, April 16, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

• Invasives species removal and general clean up

Pittsburgh

• Saturday, April 16, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Schenley Park, Panther Hollow Watershed

• Watershed-wide improvement including tree planting, trash and invasive plant removal, storm drain stenciling, and more with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Seattle

• Saturday, April 23, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Washington Park Arboretum, 3501 NE 41st Street

• Invasives removal and trail work to improve the Arboretum with University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG), and Seattle Parks and Recreation

Washington, DC

• Saturday, April 23, 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM, Fort Dupont National Park

• Trail work, community garden planting and prep work, removing invasive species and trash clean up.

About Amtrak Amtrak is America's Railroadsm, the nation's intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator. A record 28.7 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2010 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies. Amtrak also is a strong financial performer achieving an 85 percent cost-recovery ratio in FY 2010. Enjoy the journeysm at http://www.Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. About ARAMARK ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. The company is recognized as the industry leader in FORTUNE magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies," and as one of America's Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 255,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Beginning April 18, ARAMARK will showcase its Earth Day events on its Earth Day microsite, http://www.aramarkearthweek.com/ About Dr Pepper Snapple Group Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (NYSE: DPS) is the leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 9 of our 12 leading brands are No. 1 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes Sunkist soda, 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Crush, Mott's, Squirt, Hawaiian Punch, Penafiel, Clamato, Schweppes, Venom Energy, Rose's and Mr & Mrs T mixers. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit http://www.drpeppersnapple.com. About FedEx FedEx Corp. provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $38 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit http://news.fedex.com About SCA The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the only national organization that develops tomorrow's conservation leaders by providing high school and college students with conservation service opportunities in all 50 states, from urban communities to national parks and forests. Since 1957, SCA's hands-on practice of conservation service has helped to develop new generations of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save the planet. SCA is a non-profit headquartered in Charlestown, NH and maintains regional offices in Boise, ID, Oakland, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C. For more, visit thesca.org   Contact Media Relations: Deirdre Fitzgerald dfitzgerald@theSCA.org
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