MEDIA ADVISORY: May 24, 2013

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

DEP CELEBRATES 21ST LIFE SITE DESIGNATION

~LIFE program announces launch of Gulf-to-Bay Project in Pinellas County~

Overview of scheduled events for the celebration.

TIERRA VERDE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Learning in Florida's Environment program will host a public event to celebrate its 21st site designation on Tuesday, May 28. The event will be held at the Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center.

The event will focus on the designation of the new site in Pinellas County, the official launch of the Gulf-to-Bay Project and acknowledgement of the program's partners. In addition, a student field experience will be conducted at the event by students from the Pinellas County School District following informative speeches. All guests are welcome to join students for a dune restoration project at Ft. De Soto following the celebration.

The LIFE Program is a statewide program of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that allows middle school students the opportunity to visit public conservation lands for science-based environmental education. The program aims to increase student’s achievement and interest for future studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

The event will take place:

9:45 to 11:15 a.m.
Tuesday, May 28
Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center
3000 Pinellas Bayway South
Tierra Verde

About the Learning in Florida's Environment Program

The Learning in Florida’s Environment or LIFE program is a statewide program that brings middle school students out to public conservation lands for science-based environmental education. Since 2004, over 19,000 students and teachers have participated in hands-on field labs in more than 20 state parks and other unique areas. The goals of the LIFE program include increasing student achievement in science, strengthening teacher capacity for inquiry-based instruction, and preparing students for future studies and careers in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. The LIFE program represents a model for effective collaboration between schools and informal education providers from government, the private sector and non-profit organizations. For more information about DEP’s LIFE program and other Office of Environmental Education programs, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/ed . For more information on sponsoring or volunteering for a LIFE lab, contact Greg Ira at 850-245-2132.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/7c49a6