Alliance Landfillfs Camp Kestrel Habitat Workshop series has been named the Wildlife Habitat Councilfs 2008 Corporate Lands for Learning Project of the Year.

The award earned by Alliancefs camp series recognizes a program for outstanding environmental education, stewardship and voluntary employee efforts. Nominees for the award are drawn from the pool of programs that are new to or recertifying for WHCfs Corporate Lands for Learning designation.

Nominated programs are submitted to a panel of independent professional judges for review and decision. Nominees and winners are chosen based on:

-- Relevance to wildlife habitat and biodiversity protection and promotion of investigation, critical thinking and team building among learners.

-- Use of habitat to teach and engage learners in multi-disciplinary education including subjects such as science, language, social studies, math and art.

-- Support through the volunteer efforts of the presenting organizationfs employees and the hours of active learning that take place at the site.

-- Involvement of community partners, including educators, non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies and youth group leaders.

-- Length of operation and goals.

-- Credibility and ability to stand up to scrutiny by members of the conservation and education professions and provide a model for other companies.

Thelma Redick, WHCfs director of conservation education and outreach, helped Alliance present its first camp in February 2004 and has watched as the camp has developed and reached more than 1,800 learners.

gYour program is so special for a number of reasons. You invite the community to learn how Waste Management is working to improve wildlife habitat and protect the environment, but how each of us, as individuals may make a difference,h Ms. Redick said. gYour program not only educates, it also reinforces a sense of community.

gI remember experiencing first hand how your Camp Kestrel program, which was designed to engage children, was educational and engaging for their parents and grandparents acting as chaperones,h Ms Redick said. She said the camp gcreates a wonderful atmosphere to celebrate both the natural and the human history of your region—for learners of any age.h

Ms. Redick commended the camp for its alignment with Pennsylvania education guidelines, and for developing a pre- and post-camp quiz that measures the campfs impact and creates opportunities for improving the program.

Camp Kestrel has provided close to 5,000 environmental learning hours since its start in 2004. Programs have included winter camps with wildlife lectures, live-animal presentations, birdhouse building, landfill site tours and low-litter lunches.

Elements of the camp have been presented in classrooms and workplaces across the region. Programs also have included a composting workshop and landfill site tours for school and other groups with hikes and picnic lunches in the landfillfs Community Landscape Project test plots.

Additional information about Alliance Landfillfs Camp Kestrel, or to register for the upcoming winter camp, is available by contacting 570-562-1600 ext. 244.

11/29/2008