Elementary School Breaks New Ground in Environmental Education With Ford's $100,000 Radical Renovation

Newly Revealed Outdoor Classroom, Water Conservation System, Wildlife Development Habitat Promote Hands-on Learning, Enhance Environmental Awareness Among Students

- Ford Motor Company celebrates the importance of environmental education with a $100,000 national award to the newly eco-renovated Escalante Elementary School of Salt Lake City, winner of Ford's Radical Renovation: School Edition contest.

- Constance Ramos and Paul DiMeo of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition join Escalante Elementary School students and teachers, Mayor Rocky Anderson, State of Utah Executive Director of Environmental Quality Dr. Dianne Nielson and national soccer stars at the official unveiling of the newly renovated facility.

- Ford and partners National Geographic and the National Park Foundation teach grade-school students that being environmentally aware is easy and fun.

SALT LAKE CITY, June 8 -- Ford Motor Company today revealed the $100,000 radical renovation of the newly "green" Escalante Elementary School to students, parents, teachers and elected officials. A new outdoor classroom, water conservation system, wildlife habitat, vegetable garden and soccer field are part of the eco-friendly makeover the school received as the national winner of Ford's Radical Renovation: School Edition contest.

Ford partnered with National Geographic, one of the most respected environmental brands in the world, and the National Park Foundation to create the Radical Renovation: School Edition contest as a fresh approach to elementary school environmental education.

"Ford is committed to promoting a greener way of life through a variety of environmental initiatives, including eco-conscious vehicle manufacturing and factory designs," said Ford Motor Company CEO Bill Ford. "Together with our partner National Geographic, we designed the Radical Renovation: School Edition initiative to teach our children that each of us can play an active role now to create a greener future."

The Escalante Elementary School entry, submitted by the classes of fourth-grade teacher Machelle Dahl and sixth-grade teacher Heather Aiono, was selected by Ford and National Geographic from nearly 1000 entries. The entry identified the school's biggest problem -- the seepage of artesian spring water on the soccer field, which renders the field unusable about 70 percent of the school year -- and created a solution to conserve and redirect the water. The new drainage system not only allows the students to play year-round on their soccer field, but also helps to counteract Utah's six-year drought.

"It is inspiring to see these young students recognize that one of the most basic solutions to their soccer field draining problem -- simply redirecting the water -- is also one of the most effective," said Andy Acho, Ford's worldwide director of environmental outreach and strategy. "By turning lemons into lemonade many other benefits were realized that will lead to a more sustainable -- and fun -- environment for the school and the community."

The official unveiling of the newly renovated Escalante Elementary School included Paul DiMeo and Constance Ramos of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Along with DiMeo and Ramos, who helped Ford launch the contest earlier this year, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, State of Utah Executive Director of Environmental Quality Dr. Dianne Nielson, members of Salt Lake City's Real Salt Lake soccer team, Ford executives and prominent Salt Lake City officials joined the students, parents and faculty of Escalante Elementary School for the unveiling of the new, eco-friendly school.

"It's an amazing experience to see how one community can make a difference," said Paul DiMeo of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. "Escalante Elementary's renovation was a true community effort, involving students, teachers, local archaeologists and city officials. We hope more communities across the nation will join our effort to enhance environmental awareness."

To reach students and teachers across the country, Ford and National Geographic developed an environmentally focused lesson plan, which included a teacher guide and collateral classroom material. The lesson plan was available nationwide and suggested fun ways for students to think about their daily life to find ways of improving the environment around them. Teachers were supplied with an entertaining and educational, step-by-step plan to teach students about realizing potential solutions.

To further strengthen its message of eco-responsibility, Ford leads by example. From the 1940 use of soy bean oil in paint enamel to the role Ford plays supporting and preserving America's National Parks the company remains committed to a more sustainable world.

Ford's historic role as a Proud Partner of America's National Parks began in 2000. Since that time, Ford has worked closely with the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service to help preserve the environmental and cultural resources of our National Parks. Ford has donated electric and Escape Hybrid vehicles to National Parks across America. Ford restored a fleet of 33 historic red buses to run on cleaner-burning propane fuel in Glacier National Park. Ford also placed more than 140 college-aged "interpreters" and 25 Masters- and PhD-level "scholars" in parks to promote the use of alternative transportation and work in unison with National Park Service staff.

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 327,000 employees worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz. Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003.

National Geographic

Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Its mission is to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural, historical and natural resources. National Geographic reflects the world through its five magazines, television programs, films, radio, books, videos, maps, interactive media and merchandise. For more information, log on to nationalgeographic.com; AOL Keyword: NatGeo.

National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org), chartered by Congress in 1967, is the official nonprofit partner of America's National Parks. The National Park Foundation strengthens the enduring connection between the American people and their National Parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Over the past seven years, the Foundation has contributed more than $135 million in grants and program support to National Parks across the country.

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