Environmental Defense Fund Receives National Environmental Education Achievement Award

(3 Nov., 1997 - - Austin) The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEETF) announced today that Dr. Carlos A. Rincon will receive a National Environmental Education Achievement Award. Dr. Rincon, a scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is a natural resources specialist working to improve environmental conditions along the US/Mexican border. Each year the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation identifies programs throughout the nation that provide innovative solutions to today’s environmental problems through environmental education.

“The National Environmental Education Achievement Awards provide an opportunity to give outstanding organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund the recognition that they deserve,” said Kevin Coyle, NEETF’s President. “By honoring these innovative programs, we hope to motivate others to initiate similar programs in their own communities.”

To qualify for a National Environmental Education Achievement Award, The Environmental Defense Fund was evaluated by a panel of judges from major government agencies and non-profit organizations on the basis of five criteria: achievement; connecting people and their environments; the advancement of environmental literacy in schools, workplace, and/or in the community; contributions to a stronger economy; a healthier public, and/or a more livable community; and program results that are sustained and/or replicable.

“I am honored to be the recipient of such an important award,” said Rincon. “I hope this award brings attention to the environmental problems faced by those living along the US/Mexican border and the urgent need for binational solutions.”

The National Environmental Education Achievement Awards are made possible through a generous grant from the Phillips Petroleum Company to recognize excellence in environmental education in eight different categories: Human Health and the Environment, Clean Water/Safe Drinking Water, Conservation of Natural Resources, Eco-tourism, Multi-Cultural Setting, Integration of Environmental Education into a School System, Improving Community Quality of Life, and Corporate Environmental Education Leading to Increased Profitability. The Environmental Defense Fund is being honored in the category Multi - Cultural Setting.

The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEETF) is a national leader in bringing objective and scientifically sound environmental education to America, from business leaders and public officials to adult educators and children. The Foundation is a private not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization authorized in 1990 by the US Congress to insure the infusion of environmental learning into subjects of critical national concern. The Foundation?s mission is the attainment of essential environmental knowledge by all Americans to insure a prosperous, healthy, and sustainable future.