Diverse
Groups to March in Support of Everglades Restoration
One
of a Kind Opportunity for Caribbean Youth
Wider Caribbean Environmental Yout Program is now accepting
applications
Responsible Environmental Performance
American Express announces the opening of its 2007 Caribbean
Environmental Award
Operation Green Leaves Inc., a non-profit
Environmental Organization and the Onedaypeace organization to
host a “Peace Concert and a day of Prayer for Haiti”
in Miami, Florida. September 21st 2007 is the
United Nations’ International World Peace Day.
This Holiday
Season, please support this project & Help us bring Joy to the
Children of Haiti
For
Immediate Release:
March 14th,
2007
Diverse
Groups to March in Support of Everglades Restoration
More than 400 expected to
attend Upcoming Event
WHAT:
The South
Florida Community Partners, The National Park Service & the National
Parks Conservation Association will host the 6th
Annual March for Parks to attract diverse park users and
families to Big Cypress National Preserve to experience the park’s
scenic nature and cultural history. Members of our Diverse South
Florida Communities will have an opportunity to enjoy a day full of
fun activities. Free Transportation will provided from various
locations in Miami Dade County. Guided park tours, games, raffle
drawings and many more surprises.
WHO:
More than 400 culturally
diverse advocates and local leaders from Broward and Dade & Collier
Counties are expected to march.
WHEN:
Saturday, March 31st
2007 - 10 a.m.
-
2 p.m.
Buses will
be available to take marchers to the event at the following
locations. Bus #1- Golden Glades Park & Ride #2- Notre Dame
D’Haiti Catholic Church #3- Orange Bowl & Douglass Metrorail Station
#4- Dadeland South Metrorail Station #5- Florida City, City Hall &
Homestead City Hall.
For more
information, please call Nadine Patrice at Operation Green Leaves at
305-644-9000 or visit
www.oglhaiti.com
WHERE:
Big Cypress National Preserve (Tamiami
Trail West) from Dade County. Oasis visitor Center (If
you choose to drive)
WHY:
Supporters will head to Big
Cypress National Preserve to raise awareness for diversity in the
parks and the need for protection & restoration. Organizers of the
March hope to increase the number of diverse visitors to the park,
while calling attention to the need for more funding for projects
that will restore natural water flow through the park to its natural
and healthy state.
# # #
The South Florida
Community Partners is a group of residents, entrepreneurs, students,
activists, and volunteers who joined with National Park Service
staff to enhance cultural diversity in South Florida’s National
Parks including programs , resources and opportunities that are
available to all.
Contacts
Lorraine Ortiz-Valcárcel,
lortiz@caribbeanhotelassociation.com
Melissa A. Rivera Pabón,
mrivera@caribbeanhotelassociation.com
one of a kind
opportunity for caribbean youth
The Wider Caribbean Environmental Youth Program is now
accepting applications
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (March 9, 2007) – Under the theme of
“Natural History, Ecology and Conservation on Caribbean
Islands” the 8th Wider Caribbean Environmental
Youth Program will be presented at the U.S. Virgin Islands
Environmental Resource Station (VIERS) from July 30 to
August 4, 2007. This program focuses on the decision makers
of tomorrow, by providing Caribbean young people with
awareness on environmental issues in a fun, yet educational
way. This eco camp is sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel
Association (CHA), its environmental subsidiary, the
Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), American
Airlines and Clean Islands International.
“One of the program goals is to facilitate the development
of a positive environmental ethic by students, which builds
their awareness and strengthens their commitment to
conservation of the natural environment and sustainable
development for the good of human society” said program
coordinator Randy Brown. Students, ages 12-18, will be
immersed in activities that cover natural history and
ecology of selected Caribbean ecosystems – coral reefs, sea
grass beds, mangrove wetlands, dry forest and moist forest –
conservation issues, natural resources management
strategies, and environmental careers. The daily schedule
includes field activities such as guided plant walks, hikes
to petroglyphs and reef bays, as well as group discussions
on personal experiences, eco-systems and environmental
ethics. The group of instructors leading this program
includes professional presenters and local experts with
practical experience in conservation, biology, marine
biology, terrestrial tropical ecology, environmental policy,
waste management and environmental education.
The cultural and environmental exchanges are two very
important components of this program. As part of the
curriculum, each group is invited to make a presentation
about their history, environmental issues and concerns
affecting their country, while the cultural exchange is
pervasive throughout the duration of the camp, especially
each night, when students take turns to prepare a local dish
from their country and present it to the entire group at
dinner.
“The key for the success of this program is that
participants are immersed in a real, first-hand experience
with nature; not only do they learn about the surrounding
eco-systems, but they see and feel them as part of the
learning process” says Deirdre Shurland from CAST, adding
that participants are also encouraged to conserve water and
energy, recycle, and respect the wildlife around the camp.
The deadline for reservations is May 28, 2007 and the
program is available for up to five students and one
chaperone from up to seven Caribbean islands, for a maximum
of 42 participants. The program fees are US $400.00 per
person and include all fees from St. Thomas airport to and
from VIERS, lodging, meals, activities, and ground
transportation. Participants may seek the support of their
national hotel association, a member hotel, a local
organization or business, to sponsor wholly or help the
student’s family to fund the registration fee.
For more information and the full program of the 8th
Wider Caribbean Environmental Youth Program, contact Randy
Brown at (410) 647-2500, via email at:
rb@islands.org or visit
http://www.islands.org/virgin/viers/aacha1.htm.
###
About Clean Islands International –
www.islands.org
Clean Islands International, Inc. is a non-profit
non-governmental organization with international members who
are dedicated to providing educational and technical
assistance to island communities for the preservation and
beautification of indigenous natural environments and the
sustainable development of proper solid waste handling
practices.
About the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST)
–
www.cha-cast.com
CAST, the
environmental subsidiary of the Caribbean Hotel Association
(CHA), was chartered in 1997 to undertake collaborative
environmental efforts within the hotel industry, enhance the
practices of the region’s hotel and tourism operators by
providing high quality education and training related to
sustainable tourism; promote the industry’s efforts and
successes to the traveling public and other stakeholders;
and serve as a vital link to all stakeholders with
sustainable tourism interests in the Caribbean region. CAST
has consolidated its strategic focus within the following
four program areas: sustainable tourism certification and
standards development, development of environmental
management tools, advocacy and fundraising.
Contacts
Lorraine
Ortiz-Valcárcel,
lortiz@caribbeanhotelassociation.com
Melissa A.
Rivera Pabón,
mrivera@caribbeanhotelassociation.com
and the Award goes to…
responsible environmental performance
American Express announces the opening of its 2007 Caribbean
Environmental Award
SAN
JUAN, Puerto Rico (February 26, 2007) – The Caribbean Hotel
Association (CHA) and its environmental subsidiary, the
Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), are pleased
to announce the opening of the nomination process for the new
2007 American Express Caribbean Environmental Award. This
award recognizes the commitment made to sustainable tourism by
Caribbean hotels each year and social performances as
demonstrated by their policies, plans and records of activities.
The deadline for submission of nominations is March 20th,
2007.
“This
is probably one of the most important awards this year. In the
light of the recent debate on climate change, recognizing a
property whose environment and social development becomes a
priority encourages other Caribbean’s properties to follow suit
- and spread the word about initiatives to preserve natural
resources and attract responsible travelers,” said Dianelys
Rodríguez, Vice President of Destination Business Development,
American Express Company. Candidates for the
2007 American Express Caribbean
Environmental Award must demonstrate a track record
of environmental stewardship through activities such as
reduction/elimination of waste streams through innovative
practices, water/energy efficiency and conservation, guest and
employee participation in conservation and community enrichment
programs, among other achievements.
Given
the colossal international attention to the issue of
environmental responsibility – ranging from award-winning
documentaries, animated films, and even advertising campaigns,
the message is increasingly grasping the consciousness of the
public and, consequently, the vacation traveler.
The
2007 winner will join an elite group of Caribbean properties
that are leading the regional movement towards a tourism product
that is good for the environment and the local people. The most
recent honorees were Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica and 3Rivers
Eco Lodge in Dominica, winners of the 2006 award in the large
and small hotel categories, respectively.
In
2007, one overall award will be presented. “We consolidated the
two categories because, over the years, we have
found
that small hotels have the same capacity as larger properties to
implement responsible practices into their mainstream operations
and are not at all disadvantaged by their relative size. It’s a
matter of quality not quantity,” said CAST director, Deirdre
Shurland, adding that nominees would be reviewed on their
individual performance against established criteria, not in
comparison to other properties nominated.
A
panel of judges will evaluate the nominations and three
finalists will be selected for site inspections. The purpose of
these independent inspections is to verify the accuracy of the
information submitted. The panel of judges will designate the
winner, which will be announced at the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism
Conference, to be held June 17 and 18th, in Miami,
Fl.
The
2007 American Express Caribbean Environmental Award application
form and eligibility requirements are available on the CAST
website at
www.cha-cast.com. American Express is a member of the
governing council of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable
Tourism (CAST). As a governing council member, American Express
helps develop the organization’s sustainable tourism policies.
To learn about the 2006 winners, or for additional information
on how to develop an environmental program, contact CAST at 1000
Ponce de León Ave, 5th Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00907;
telephone 787-725-9139; fax 787-725-9108; Website:
www.cha-cast.com; E-mail:
cast@ cha-cast.com
###
American Express Company
is a
diversified worldwide travel, financial and network Services
Company founded in 1850. It is a world leader in charge and
credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning,
business services, insurance and international banking. For more
information on American Express, visit our web site at
www.americanexpress.com.
About the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST)
–
www.cha-cast.com
CAST,
the environmental subsidiary of the Caribbean Hotel Association
(CHA), was chartered in 1997 to undertake collaborative
environmental efforts within the hotel industry, enhance the
practices of the region’s hotel and tourism operators by
providing high quality education and training related to
sustainable tourism; promote the industry’s efforts and
successes to the traveling public and other stakeholders; and
serve as a vital link to all stakeholders with sustainable
tourism interests in the Caribbean region. CAST has consolidated
its strategic focus within the following four program areas:
sustainable tourism certification and standards development,
development of environmental management tools, advocacy and
fundraising.
Lorraine J. Ortiz-Valcárcel
Communications
Director
Caribbean
Hotel Association
1000 Ponce de León Ave.,
5th Floor
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907
T + 1 787 725.9139
x244
F
+ 1 787 725.9108
E:
lortiz@caribbeanhotelassociation.com
W:
www.caribbeanhotelassociation.com
AFE NEG COMBITE
INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER
PO Box 5254, Coral Gables, Florida 33114 * 1.866.71HAITI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Afe Neg Combite is a non-profit organization which was founded
on December 9, 1976 by a Catholic priest, Occide Jean, known as
Pe Cico in Kenscoff, a township located at 20 kilometers in the
Eastern side of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. ANC is delighted to
announce that on Friday September 21st, 2007 it will
Join hands with Operation Green Leaves Inc., a non-profit
Environmental Organization and the Onedaypeace organization to
host a “Peace Concert and a day of Prayer for Haiti”
in Miami, Florida. September 21st 2007 is the
United Nations’ International World Peace Day.
The mission of Afe Neg Combite is to improve the starndard of
living
of the Haitian peasantry, the driving force and productive
support of the Haitian economy. ANC has adopted the concept of
“ teach a man how to fish” and has designed a plan
to teach the Haitian farmers, sustainable agriculture,, raising
livestock, recycling, environmental education and overall
self-sufficiency by offering them the financial capital through
a micro lending program to conduct their daily activities. The
organization is already thirty years old and hopes to extend its
services not only in the township of Kenscoff but also in
several other regions of the country to improve the living
conditions of the Haitian people.
We are inviting the
entire global Haitian Community, Friends of Haiti, Local and
international Businesses, Artist, professionals & media to join
us in this honorable cause to inspire and pray for Peace in our
beloved Haiti and the world.
To get involved and participate call us.
-
WHEN: Friday September 21st, 2007
-
WHERE: TBA
-
TIME: TBA
CONTACT: Nadine Cambronne @
1-866-71HAITI or Rhonda Veeraswamy Leblanc @ 786-344-2157
CONTACT: Nadine C. Patrice 305-644-9000 or
Tamara Philippaux 305-919-7993
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Island TV, Operation
Green Leaves and Antillean Marine Shipping Corp. are joining
forces this holiday season to bring some joy to so many needy
children in Haiti. Island TV is celebrating its 10th
year Anniversary and in the spirit of appreciation and love they
are partnering with Operation Green Leaves, a 15th
year old environmental organization whose mission is
environmental education, ecological restoration & the
reforestation of the island-nation of Haiti, and Antillean
Marine Shipping Corp, servicing Haiti and the Dominican
Republic since 1963 to organize a TOY
DRIVE for the children of Haiti .
Antillean Marine
Shipping Corp. provides shipping services to Rio Haina,
Boca Chica,and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and to
Port-au-Prince, Haiti twice a week. The entire South Florida
Community is invited to join us in this noble project by
donating toys for kids of all ages (toddlers to 15 years old).
MAIN DROP OFF LOCATION:
Island TV - 14879 NE 20TH
Avenue
DAY & TIME: Monday -
Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
DEADLINE: December 11th,
2007
For alternate drop off locations, please call contact number
www.islandtv.tv
,
www.oglhaiti.com or
www.antillean.com
This Holiday
Season, please support this project & Help us bring Joy to the
Children of Haiti
