Schools interested in applying for a garden grant should submit their application by May 1
April 30, 2012 (New York, NY) – Green Mountain Energy Company has committed to donating $50,000 to Grow to Learn NYC: Citywide School Gardens Initiative for mini-grants to help build and sustain learning gardens in New York City schools. With an ambitious goal to foster a garden for every public and charter school in the city, mini-grants are helping schools engage thousands of students in learning about nutrition, science, math, and environmental issues – all while getting outside and getting active. Schools interested in the program can apply for a Grow to Learn NYC Mini-Grant through May 1, 2012.
“Given the overwhelming response to our garden mini-grant program, Grow to Learn NYC is thrilled to have Green Mountain’s support to help bring this program to even more teachers and schools across the five boroughs,” said GrowNYC Executive Director Marcel Van Ooyen. “Together we’re ensuring that New York City’s youth are literally growing a healthy future by teaching them how to improve their health and the environment.”
New York City residents can help grow Green Mountain’s Grow to Learn donation by signing up to become a Green Mountain customer. The donation from Green Mountain will be a minimum of $50,000 with an opportunity to donate additional funds pending the number of customer sign-ups in 2012.
“We’re proud to support the work of GrowNYC as they help develop the next generation of environmentally conscious citizens,” said Paul Markovich, president, Residential Services, Green Mountain.
Grow to Learn, a partnership between GrowNYC and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC, along with key partners GreenThumb, NYC Department of Education Office of SchoolFood and gardening and greening groups across the City connects students to the natural world, provides hands-on learning opportunities, establishes environmental stewardship, transforms children’s food attitudes and habits, and increases physical activity through on-site learning gardens at participating schools.
“Gardens present a powerful opportunity to instill a sense of wonder, appreciation and understanding of the Earth’s renewable resources. This is something we experience at Green Mountain every day by providing customers with the opportunity to choose renewable energy for their homes,” continued Markovich.
Green Mountain residential customers in New York have been making a difference through choosing renewable energy. Since 2009, New York customers have prevented 25 million pounds of CO2 pollution – the equivalent of planting 1.5 times the number of trees in Central Park!
Customers can also participate in the Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM, a voluntary program where Green Mountain customers can contribute to the development of new solar projects for non-profits. The Sun Club recently made a donation to power cooking demonstrations at a Greenmarket farmers market.
To apply for a Grow to Learn Mini-Grant, schools must register their gardens on www.growtolearn.org and submit the grant application by May 1. Registered schools get access to educational materials and expert gardening support from GreenThumb, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Garden to Café program which connects school gardening to school lunches.
###
GrowNYC
GrowNYC improves New York City’s quality of life through environmental programs that transform communities block by block and empower all New Yorkers to secure a clean and healthy environment for future generations. Programs include: Greenmarket farmers markets, the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education, Open Space Greening, and hands-on education programs. To learn how GrowNYC is working in your neighborhood, visit www.grownyc.org.
Grow to Learn NYC
Grow to Learn NYC and its Citywide School Gardens Initiative began in 2010, as a public-private partnership between the Mayor’s Fund, GrowNYC, and several government agency partners. Grow to Learn was created to inspire, promote and support the creation of sustainable gardens in New York City public schools.
For more information on the Grow to Learn program, visit www.growtolearn.org or call 212.347.3717.
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is a program where Green Mountain residential customers have the opportunity to give back to deserving non-profit organizations through the promotion of solar power. Direct monthly contributions from customers go toward the funding of solar installations. Since the program’s founding in 2002, Sun Club members have helped install almost 500kW of solar power, preventing over 3.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. That equals 3.6 million miles not driven or 8.1 million aluminum cans recycled. For more information, visit www.gmsunclub.com.
Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain, the nation’s leading competitive retail provider of cleaner energy and carbon offset solutions, was founded in 1997 to “change the way power is made.” The company is the longest serving green power marketer in the U.S. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources, such as wind, as well as a variety of carbon offset products. Green Mountain’s largest customer is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 19.4 billion pounds of CO2 emissions. As a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG), Green Mountain is backed by one of the nation’s largest renewable power producers. For more information, visit www.GreenMountain.com.
