THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 4, 1996 TAG: 9606040295
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT HARPER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 41 lines
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced Monday that it will spend more than $400,000 of a $2 million grant from Toyota for a new environmental education program for inner-city youths, many from Norfolk public schools.
The program, called Children Linking with the Environment Across the Nation, or CLEAN, will include boat tours, canoe trips and other on-the-water experiences for youngsters who may never have seen an oyster, fish or crab outside of a grocery store freezer.
``These young people live in some of the most polluted environments in the Bay region,'' said coordinator Georgia Yamaki Terwilliger, noting the program's target cities of Norfolk, Richmond, Baltimore and Washington. ``We need to touch more of these students.''
Beginning this fall, as many as 3,250 middle school and high school students will be shuttled to the Bay for a day of learning about the delicate balance between man and nature, Terwilliger said.
Local advisory panels are being convened with church, school and environmental officials in each target city, including one that met Monday night in Norfolk, to determine which schools and what youths should make the voyages.
Jeane Dughi, science education coordinator for Norfolk's public school system, said she hopes the hands-on program inspires more minority students to pursue careers in science, technology and the environment.
The $2 million grant from Toyota Motor Corp. is the largest private gift to the foundation in its 30-year history, said Joseph H. Maroon, executive director of the environmental group's Virginia office.
Tim Andree, Toyota's corporate manager, who traveled from New York to Norfolk Monday to announce the new program, said the company chose the Bay foundation for so large a donation because of its success in environmental education.
The foundation has taken students to the Bay since 1979, and offers training seminars and curriculum guides for science teachers as well. ``We're trying to give back, to pay back the community,'' Andree said. by CNB