Fairfax Assembly Plant Among 42 GM Sites to Participate in 25-year Program

(PRWEB) April 12, 2014

Employees from GM’s Fairfax Assembly plant, Blue River Watershed Association (BRWA) staff, and students from Eisenhower Middle School will wade into a local creek this spring as the automaker celebrates the 25th anniversary of its signature watershed education program, GM GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network) part of BWRA’s T.R.U.E Blue program.

Throughout the years, GM has matched 142,000 students with more than 3,000 employees to retrieve water samples, test, and analyze them. Then, they channel findings into a sustainable action plan addressing water quality issues in their communities. GM GREEN sharpens problem-solving skills, improves knowledge of science and the environment, and encourages community involvement.

BRWA has been facilitating GM GREEN in Kansas City for 3 years. This strategy is part of a Collective Impact approach, spearheaded by the nonprofit Earth Force. Networks of partners facilitate the activities with local schools in 26 communities in which GM operates across North America.

“GM GREEN allows young people in Kansas City to become better connected to their local waterways,” says Kate Delehunt, Education Director at BRWA. “Through the program and the support of local community partners, students use the science, math, and technology skills they learn in the classroom and apply them toward solving real-life water quality issues.”

The GM Fairfax Assembly Plant has participated in the GM GREEN program since 2011. Last year Fairfax employees mentored 819 students at 11 water monitoring events, classroom visits, and student-driven watershed improvement projects.

“GM’s longstanding support of the program wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated employees,” said William Kulhanek, Fairfax Assembly plant manager. “Fairfax Assembly Plant employees will continue to mentor students this year to commemorate the 25th anniversary and further our commitment to community engagement and preserving our environment.”

For more information on GM’s environmental commitment, visit its sustainability report and environmental blog. To learn more about the GM GREEN program in Kansas City, visit http://www.earthforce.org or contact Kristen Mueller at kmueller(at)earthforce(dot)org.

General Motors Co. and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

Earth Force is a national 501(c)3 organization with headquarters in Denver. Its mission is to engage young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future. Through Earth Force and its network of partners, young people get hands-on, real-world opportunities to practice civic skills, acquire a deep understanding of the environment, and develop the skills and motivation to become lifelong leaders in addressing community issues. Visit http://www.earthforce.org or follow @earthforce on Twitter to learn more.

The Blue River Watershed Association's mission is to engage the Kansas City metropolitan community in protecting and restoring the Blue River Watershed through community education and outreach, demonstration projects and strategic partnerships with key members of the metro community.

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