Gov. Gregoire issues Earth Day challenge to students and citizens

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2005

OLYMPIA � April 22, 2005 � Gov. Christine Gregoire today issued an Earth Day challenge to Washington students and citizens to show through their actions their commitment to preserving the state�s air, land and water for future generations.

�Earth Day is an excellent opportunity to remind ourselves that we must maintain a healthy planet and a functioning Mother Nature, both for Earth�s sake and for the sake of humans as well,� Gregoire told students from throughout the state gathered for an Earth Day ceremony at Priest Point Park in Olympia. Gregoire was joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson.

�But Earth Day is just one day out of the entire year,� Gregoire said. �Our commitment to caring for the Earth and all of the plants and animals must be strong every day of the year. The gifts given to us by our environment are truly priceless: clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, safe and abundant food to eat, magnificent wildlife and plants to provide medicines, and beautiful places to enjoy. Where would we be without these things?�

Gregoire said the state has much work to do to repair environmental damage. �I am pleased that we have made some major steps in this session of the Legislature. We became the first state in the country to adopt a rigorous standard for making public buildings, including your schools, as environmentally friendly as possible.�

She also noted the legislation awaiting her signature that tightens up automobile air-quality standards and proposed funding to clean up Hood Canal.

�These are just down payments on the work we need to do, but it is a good start,� Gregoire said. �We must continue to ensure that all Washingtonians, for all generations, will have a healthy environment in which to live and enjoy.�

The governor also met with students from:
� North Mason High School in Belfair, who demonstrated water-quality testing
� Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School in Tumwater, who demonstrated a bluebird-restoration project
� West Valley School District in Spokane, who described mapping of wildlife and habitat
� Cle Elum School District, who described work they are doing on cougar impacts
� McLane Elementary School in Olympia, who were working on pulling English ivy from the Priest Point Park�s shorelines and described other work they do to restore Puget Sound�s shorelines.

The Earth Day event was co-sponsored by the Pacific Education Institute, the Puget Sound Action Team and People for Puget Sound.