3609 Hwy 24 (Ocean) | Newport, North Carolina 28570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2007

Sally Steele, Development Director
252-393-8185
sallys@nccoast.org

NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Expands Coastal Federation Education Program

Wilmington, NC - The North Carolina Coastal Federation announced that a generous donation from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation will initiate a new environmental education program along the southeastern coast. 

“The Coastal Federation has a successful track record conducting environmental education programs, but our past efforts have been concentrated along the central coast where our headquarters and the majority of the Federation staff is located,” stated Todd Miller, the Federation’s executive director.  “With this grant, we will hire a full-time environmental educator and establish a Coastal Habitat Education Program in our Wilmington field office.”

The program will target students, coastal landowners, decision-makers and the coastal public. An environmental educator will be hired in late 2007. New education programs will be launched in early 2008 and will include restoration and monitoring programs for middle and high school students, landowner workshops, an environmental academy for decision-makers and a public education program. 
  
"The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation is excited to support the education initiatives associated with this grant.  Improving coastal management is a new area of critical importance,” stated Marilyn Foote-Hudson, Executive Director for the Foundation.  NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation has pledged $224,500 over five years to initiate and grow the program. 

The gift is a significant part of the Federation’s current campaign to raise three million dollars. One million dollars will create an endowment; one million will fund a reserve; and one million dollars will be invested over five years in staffing and programming expansion, mostly in the Federation’s Wilmington and Manteo field offices. 

“North Carolina recently surpassed New Jersey in population. Most of this growth is taking place along our coast.  If we are to protect our natural resources, heritage and quality of life, the Coastal Federation must expand its efforts and reach,” explained Todd Miller.

Similar programs that combine advocacy, restoration and education will be offered at the Federation’s Wilmington, Manteo and Ocean locations.  An expanded staff will engage more people coast-wide in environmental management decision-making; provide opportunities for hands-on work to restore degraded habitats and monitor environmental status and trends; and offer opportunities to learn about environmental issues and resources.

For 25 years, the North Carolina Coastal Federation has worked with citizens to safeguard the coastal rivers, creeks, sounds and beaches of North Carolina. The Federation has protected or restored about 50,000 acres and consists of more than 8,000 members, 150 group and agency partners, 800 active volunteers and a 16-member professional staff. The Federation has four key program areas: strengthening environmental standards, encouraging enforcement of environmental laws, restoring and protecting habitat and water quality and educating citizens. To learn more about the Coastal Federation, visit www.nccoast.org, call 252-393-8185 or visit its headquarters at 3609 Highway 24 in Ocean, NC.