- Aim is to Further Work of Modern Environmental Movement's Founder
- Trail Made Possible by Grant From Peoples Plus
SPRINGDALE, Pa., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A new nature trail designed to
educate and instill in others the spirit of Rachel Carson's dedication to
environmental stewardship was dedicated here today at the Rachel Carson
Homestead.
Officials of the Rachel Carson Homestead Association, Allegheny Valley
School District and Peoples Plus, a Pittsburgh-based non-utility energy
marketer, officiated at the event. The trail traverses properties that were
once part of Ms. Carson's family farm and now are owned by the non-profit
association and the school district. Trail development and signage were made
possible through a $5,000 grant from Peoples Plus. State Representative Terry
Van Horne (D-Arnold) was also in attendance and read from House Resolution
148, declaring "Rachel Carson Day" in Pennsylvania.
The quarter-mile-long "Wild Creatures Nature Trail" has seven stations.
At each station, an informative sign teaches a nature lesson and describes
what a young Rachel might have experienced. As a young girl, Ms. Carson
roamed the same grounds as she developed her love of the outdoors and her
philosophy that sound environmental stewardship springs from environmental
awareness.
The dedication occurred on the 10th annual "Rachel Carson Day," which was
also sponsored by Peoples Plus. In addition to the trail dedication, a
variety of events were held to celebrate Ms. Carson's birthday as well as her
work as one of the most influential people of the 20th Century. Among Ms.
Carson's works was "Silent Spring," the 1962 best-selling book that awoke the
world to the need to protect and preserve the environment.
"Rachel Carson began her lifelong wonder and fascination of the natural
world through her childhood excursions on these very grounds," said Mark
Tomlinson, executive director of the Rachel Carson Homestead Association.
"Even at an early age, Rachel made detailed observations about nature that
formed the basis of her later work. We hope that this trail has the same
lasting, positive impact on the people who enjoy it today."
Mr. Tomlinson also thanked the Allegheny Valley School District and
Peoples Plus. "Without the cooperation and foresight of these two
organizations, this project could never become a reality," he said. "They are
to be commended for their valuable contributions to the community."
As part of the dedication ceremony, the joyful adventuring of a teen-age
Rachel and her dog, Pal, were recreated. A girl dressed in 1920s attire read
from one of Ms. Carson's earliest published works, "My Favorite Recreation."
The short story -- printed in 1922 in the youth magazine St. Nicholas --
details a day-long "bird's-nesting" that a 14-year-old Rachel and her dog
conducted on what was then the family farm.
Philip E. Riley, Jr., senior vice president and general manager of Peoples
Plus, said his company is proud to help such a worthwhile project.
"As a part of Pittsburgh-based Consolidated Natural Gas Company, we at
Peoples Plus share a long history of environmental stewardship," Mr. Riley
said. "We believe the Wild Creatures Nature Trail at the Rachel Carson
Homestead will be a valuable addition to the betterment and education of
Western Pennsylvanians for generations to come."
Peoples Plus provides competitively priced natural gas, electricity, and
related products and services to more than 150,000 residential and
small-business customers in western Pennsylvania. The donations for the trail
work and sponsorship of Rachel Carson Day were arranged by Peoples Plus
through the Consolidated Natural Gas Company Foundation, which is dedicated to
the improvement of the economic, physical and social health of the communities
served by the CNG companies.
The Rachel Carson Homestead, located at 613 Marion Avenue in Springdale,
is Ms. Carson's modest birthplace and childhood home. Ms. Carson's childhood
in southwestern Pennsylvania nurtured a love and respect for nature and
natural things which would guide her the rest of her life. "Silent Spring"
warned of the dangers of indiscriminate pesticide use, and is credited with
sparking the modern environmental movement.
Guided tours of the house and grounds are offered year-round on Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Regular museum
admission is $4.00 for adults and $2.50 for children. Senior citizen and
group discounts are available. School field trips, scout badge programs,
public outreach programs and historical talks are also available by
reservation. Free family "Science on Saturdays" nature programs are offered
on the third Saturday of the month.
For more information about the Rachel Carson Homestead, call 724-274-5459,
or visit the homestead's Web site at http://www.rachelcarson.org.
SOURCE Consolidated Natural Gas Company
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Related links:
http://www.rachelcarson.org
CONTACT:
Mark Tomlinson of the Rachel Carson
Homestead, 724-274-5459, or Chet Wade of Peoples Plus,
412-690-1361
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