Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
Teachers Get A Lesson in the Three R's of Environmental Awareness Education, Curriculum Development At York U. Environmental Literacy Conference

TORONTO, Feb. 19, 1999 -- As landfill sites reach full capacity, as scientists worry about ozone depletion, and as air and water quality deteriorates, environmental education among Canada's youth is more important than ever. York University is hosting an Environmental Literacy Conference to challenge educators to raise their own awareness and knowledge of environmental education issues and increase environmental learning in the classroom Friday, Feb. 19 - Saturday, Feb. 20, 1999.

The conference marks the tenth anniversary of Global Perspectives: The Periwinkle Project, an ongoing environmental education and school curriculum initiative by conference organizer York University Faculty of Education Professor Skid Crease.

"The goal of this conference is not only to raise environmental consciousness among educators, but among the students they teach," said Crease. "We want to ensure that students are instilled with the qualities that will make them better environmental citizens and make the planet more inhabitable for generations to come -- in everything from the quality of water we drink to the air we breath," he said.

The conference will draw upon the expertise and unique insights of keynote speakers Dr. William Fyfe (University of Western Ontario), Dr. Milton McClaren (Simon Fraser University) and Dr. William Hammond (Florida Gulf State University). They will discuss environmental education trends, what educators know, and how best to further their knowledge and teach their students about the environment.

The conference is open to the educators, students and the public. Tickets are $25 ($10 for students). For more information, please call (416) 736-5002.

WHAT:
Environmental Literacy Conference: a forum challenging educators to raise their students' and their own awareness and knowledge of environmental issues

WHEN:
Friday, Feb. 19 ‚ Saturday, Feb. 20, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE:
Vari Hall, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Skid Crease
Faculty of Education
York University
(416) 736-5002

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
YU/015/99