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act: ERTHNXT: Trees for the 21st Century
Trees for the 21st Century offers children and youth
groups an accessible way to connect to nature through tree
planting. The mentor-led program offers
fun science-based activities where kids learn why trees are
important and reinforces learning through action.
The program was developed by Trees for the 21st Century with the Girl Scouts of the USA and has
been rolled out across the country with kids in 47 states
planting over 30,000 trees, but many more should enjoy this
purposeful project.
To empower today's tech-savvy kids as stewards of the environment,
the program will also create an online platform. With a
personalized and interactive website that invites kids to log the
number of trees planted, trade stories about their experiences, track
tree growth and display an electronic tree badge, this expansion
would provide the tools kids use everyday, engaging them and their
friends in a new online community.
This spring is a perfect time to participate - plan an Earth Day or service-learning event with
your youth group.
Support ERTHNXT>>
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meet:
Jim Anthony, Founder and President of The Cliffs
Communities, Inc.
Jim Anthony founded The Cliffs Communities in 1989, upon
his development of The Cliffs at Glassy, the Company's first of eight
master-planned communities. A visionary example, Mr. Anthony lives
according to a philosophy of respect for the integrity of the land, a
sense of deep connection to community, and a love of his work.
The Cliffs has a strong commitment to connecting the next generation
to the beauty, lessons and sheer fun that nature provides. In 2008,
The Cliffs and Pinnacle Partners committed over 300 acres of land
holdings for the expansion of outdoor environmental educational
programs like Clemson University Youth Learning Institute's "Teaching Kids About The Environment
(KATE)" program and associated summer adventure camps in the
40,000-acre Jocassee Gorges in partnership with the S.C. Department
of Natural Resources.
Mr. Anthony's leadership and personal passion for giving back within
the community, have created both an active culture of caring at The
Cliffs and four non-profit foundations focused on children, wellness,
nature and conservation.
Jim and his wife, Vicky, live in his hometown of Pickens, S.C., and
have two grown sons, Jacob and Lucas. In his free time, Mr. Anthony
enjoys hiking, clay shooting, fly-fishing, and traveling
internationally-particularly to The Cliffs' properties in British
Columbia, Chile, and the Abaco Islands.
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learn:
Health Topics from the Center for Disease Control:
Childhood Obesity
The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11
has more than doubled in just under 30 years, going from 6.5% in 1980
to 17.0% in 2006. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than
tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6%.
Obesity is the result of caloric imbalance (too few
calories expended for the amount of calories consumed) and is mediated
by genetics and health. An estimated 61% of obese young people have
at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high
cholesterol or high blood pressure. In addition, children who are
obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea,
and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor
self-esteem.
Read the rest of this article and learn key strategies to prevent
obesity from the CDC here.
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