News Releases - 2002

Green Youth Award Recognizes Students at Montessori School of Lake Forest

Springfield, Ill. -- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Renee Cipriano presented a Green Youth Award to the Montessori School of Lake Forest at a ceremony today in the State Capitol.

The school was one of 11 recognized in the first annual Green Youth Awards for recognizing outstanding environmental protection and conservation projects by Illinois young people.

"We are committed to encouraging and recognizing outstanding youth-led activities that set an example for making our environment cleaner and greener," said Director Cipriano. "I was thrilled with not only the high quality of projects submitted but also with the wonderful innovations involved in protecting Illinois' environment."

Montessori School of Lake Forest received an award for their Purple Loosestrife Biological Control Program. In order to restore and protect indigenous plant life on school property, these students breed loosestrife as food for beetles, which are then released into meadows and wetlands. As the beetles thrive and reproduce, the invasive purple loosestrife dwindles, allowing the native plant species a chance for survival.

Through Governor Ryan's innovative Green Illinois program, government and communities have been encouraged to make Illinois a safe and healthy place to live.

"Through the Green Youth Awards we hope to encourage youth to continue pursuing environmental projects now and in the future," said Director Cipriano during her remarks at the afternoon ceremony.

The Green Youth projects must have involved one or more of the following categories: waste reduction, reduction of pollution in the air, water or land; restoration or preservation of natural areas; energy or water efficiency; or cleanup/beautification.

Youth 17 or younger, in kindergarten through 12th grade, enrolled in public, private or home school, who participated in an environmental project begun no earlier than January 2000, were eligible to apply.