SOURCE:Aramark

DESCRIPTION:

PHILADELPHIA, January 14, 2019 /3BL Media/ – Aramark (NYSE:ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, was once again named one of the top 50 companies for diversity by BLACK ENTERPRISE, for its professional inclusion of people from all races and demographics.

“We strive to create a workplace culture of diversity and inclusion, and we are honored to once again be recognized by BLACK ENTERPRISE,” said Lynn B. McKee, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Aramark. “Our 270,000 team members, who represent many different backgrounds, perspectives, talents, beliefs and values, are the backbone of our vibrant workforce, and essential to our success. We share this year’s recognition with them.”

BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing and wealth-building resource for African Americans. The magazine surveys the top 1,000 publicly traded companies, as well as the 100 leading global companies with strong U.S. operations. The qualitative survey focuses on activities related to the participation of African Americans and members of other ethnic minority groups in four categories: employee base, senior management, board of directors and supplier diversity.

Aramark has nine employee resource groups (ERGs), giving team members access to like-minded people with similar backgrounds and interests.

Aramark’s diversity and inclusion efforts have consistently been recognized by other notable organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, DiversityInc., the Disability Equality Index and CAREERS & the disABLED Magazine.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the world’s leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food, facilities management and uniforms. We operate our business with social responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our environment, and strengthen our communities. Aramark is recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, as well as an employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and Diversity Inc. Learn more at http://www.aramark.com/ or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Tweet me:.@Aramark: Top 50 company for diversity. http://bit.ly/2D8S1vr

KEYWORDS: Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Responsibility, diversity, inclusion, diversity and inclusion, african american, Black Enterprise, Aramark, NYSE:ARMK

Your 2019 Resolutions to Keep Your Identity Safe

SOURCE:Symantec

DESCRIPTION:

By Eva Velasquez, CEO, Identity Theft Resource Center

From vowing to crush your gym goals, to eating organic and non-GMO, to finally reading that bestseller sitting on your coffee table, the New Year is an ideal time to start fresh and make changes to your life, your routine or anywhere else that might need a little fine tuning. But this year, why not take it one step further and resolve to become a better steward of your identity? This isn’t something you want to “set and forget,” it’s something that you should be doing year round. 

To make this task more manageable, we’ve broken out action items to implement each season to keep your identity fine-tuned throughout the year.

Winter: 

When you think about frigid temperatures and snow, it’s also a great time to think about freezing your credit. Credit freezes, which are now free to everyone in the U.S. (regardless of the state you reside in or your age), restrict access to your credit report and help prevent new lines of credit from being opened in your name by a thief. Freezing your credit is one of the most proactive consumer protection steps you can take to protect your identity. Here is some additional information on how to freeze your credit this winter. 

Spring: 

When you think of spring cleaning, your first thought might be about how best to tidy up the garage or attic, but there’s something else that most likely needs a “spruce up” and that’s your digital presence. Social media profiles and online searches are just a few places where thieves go to glean information about you, which might then be used to guess your password, scam you or gain access to your account. Reducing your digital presence by eliminating old online accounts and social media profiles is a great start. 

In addition to your digital presence, your devices – whether new or old– typically contain a treasure trove of data and personal information. If these devices find themselves in the wrong hands, a thief could wreak havoc on your accounts and possibly even your identity. To keep yourself safe, take any old devices sitting around the house, wipe them clean and properly recycle them by going to a free e-recycling event that many communities offer. It’s also a good idea to take some time to clean your current devices by removing old apps, double checking all of your privacy settings and more.

And lastly, if you’re feeling really adventurous, go through old paper files and shred the documents (using a cross-cut shredder) that you no longer need, especially those containing personal identifying information (PII). If you don’t have your own shredder there are free shredding events offered in many communities from trusted organizations. 

Summer: 

Just because school is out for you or your kids, it doesn’t mean you should stop learning. Continue to educate yourself on how to reduce your risk of identity theft and other cybercrimes. Just by knowing how thieves operate, you will be better equipped to handle scam calls, phishing emails and other nefarious attempts to steal your personal information and your identity. There are plenty of free educational resources out there to take advantage of, like those offered by the Identity Theft Resource Center and the Federal Trade Commission.

Fall: 

It’s easy to fall back into old habits, which is why this is the perfect season to revive everything you set out to do back in January and end the year strong. It’s also a great season to be a cyber-safe evangelist to your friends, family and co-workers. There is no better way to learn than to teach someone else. Since you’ve spent most of the year learning new habits, tricks and tips, consider sharing them with your friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers to help them stay safe as well. 

If you think you might be a victim of identity theft, the ITRC has a plan for that. Contact us using our live chat feature via our website, call our toll free hotline (888-400-5530) or download our free ID Theft help app from your device store. 

LifeLock, a Symantec company, proudly provides financial support to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Tweet me:The @ITRCCEO shares her top 4 {seasonal} resolutions for a safer 2019 http://bit.ly/2M77NK3 @Symantec @ITRCSD

KEYWORDS: Symantec, NASDAQ:SYMC, Identity theft, Identity Theft Resource Center, LifeLock

SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

DESCRIPTION:

STAMFORD, Conn.,January 14, 2019 /3BL Media/ – As national parks face issues with unmanaged waste during the government shutdown, Keep America Beautiful, the largest community improvement organization in the United States, and Nestlé Waters North America, one of the leading beverage companies in North America, announced today that they are teaming up to help mobilize affiliate organizations and volunteers across the country to clean up these shared public spaces.

This national effort will kick off on St. Simons Island in Georgia. The Keep America Beautiful local affiliate, Keep Golden Isles Beautiful in Brunswick, Georgia, has committed, with the help of more than 40 new volunteers added to their existing volunteer pool, to clean up and maintain trash and recycling container service at historic Fort Frederica National Monument and the Bloody Marsh National Monument during the government shutdown.

“The Keep America Beautiful national network of community-based affiliates is committed to ending litter and ensuring our public spaces are beautiful places for all to enjoy," said Randy Hartmann, Senior Director, Affiliate Operations, Keep America Beautiful. “While our volunteers can't totally abate and remove the litter and debris that is amassing at our national parks and public lands during the government shutdown, our affiliates have offered their assistance in the communities they serve to support the parks during this time of need. We thank our partner at Nestl? Waters North America for supporting our efforts to help grow our volunteer base and contain the growing trash and litter at our national parks and public lands.”

Other Keep America Beautiful affiliates are actively engaging national parks staff in their areas to provide support for cleanups as future needs arise. Nestlé Waters North America has generously offered resources, through financial donations and employee volunteers, to assist in these efforts.

“At Nestlé Waters North America, we believe that even one bottle or can that is not recycled properly is one too many. When we heard about the need in our national parks, we wanted to help,” said John Caturano, Senior Manager of Packaging and Recycling Programs at Nestlé Waters North America. “Caring for our natural environment is fundamental to the work that we do every day, so we are proud to support the great work of Keep America Beautiful, and to help play a part in ensuring these beautiful public places continue to be trash-free and protected.”

This initiative is just the latest example of the long-term partnership between Keep America Beautiful and Nestlé Waters to address waste and recycling issues around the country. In 2017, the two organizations, along with other corporate partners, launched an integrated recycling education and awareness initiative for the 10,000 school students affected by the water crisis in Flint, Mich. That same year, in Florida, Nestlé Waters, through its Zephyrhills® Brand, also partnered with Keep America Beautiful to increase access to on-the-go recycling on beaches and at other public recreation locations along Florida's waterways.
    
About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s iconic community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision.
 
Behavior change – steeped in education, research and behavioral science – is the cornerstone of Keep America Beautiful. We empower generations of community and environmental stewards with volunteer programs, hands-on experiences, educational curricula, practical advice and other resources. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 600 Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.

About Nestlé Waters North America
Nestlé Waters North America offers an unrivaled portfolio of bottled water brands for healthy hydration, including Poland Spring® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water, Nestlé® Pure Life®, Perrier and S. Pellegrino®. The company also owns and operates ReadyRefreshSM by Nestlé®, a customizable water and beverage delivery service. Just Click and QuenchSM.

Based in Stamford, Connecticut with approximately 8,000 associates located in North America, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint across our operations. We manage natural resources for long-term sustainability, and we conserve nearly 21,000 acres of natural watershed area. We currently source water for our six regional spring water brands from 47 springs across the U.S. We are also committed to creating shared value and being a good neighbor in the 140 communities where we operate in the U.S. For more information, visit us at www.nestle-watersna.com/en and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: @NestleWatersNA.

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Tweet me:With the support of their partner @Nestlewatersna, #KeepAmericaBeautiful is activating their affiliate network and local volunteers to help contain litter at national sites amid the Government shutdown. http://bit.ly/2D4PbHW #CleanYourBlock #DoBeautifulThings

Contact Info:

Larry Kaufman
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3014
lkaufman@kab.org
http://www.twitter.com/kabtweet
http://www.facebook.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.instagram.com/keepamericabeautiful
http://www.youtube.com/kabnetwork

Kristina Wilson-Rocheford
Nestle Waters North America
+1 (203) 246-6642
kristina.wilsonrocheford@waters.nestle.com

KEYWORDS: Keep America Beautiful, Nestle Waters North America, Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, Do Beautiful Things, clean your block

New Tata Consultancy Services and Discovery Education Competition from the Computational Thinking Curriculum “Ignite My Future in School” Sparks Youth Innovation, Digital Exploration and Sustainable Solutions to Improve Our World

SOURCE:Discovery Education

DESCRIPTION:

Tata Consultancy Services, a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital education content and professional development for K-12 classrooms announce the final week of the Ignite Innovation Student Challenge. With entries accepted through Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. ET, the competition gives young innovators an amazing chance to win $10,000 and receive virtual mentorship from a team of TCS technology experts to bring their winning idea to life.

The Ignite Innovation Student Challenge encourages sixth through eighth grade students to use computational thinking to create digital solutions that improve the world and solve problems impacting TCS’ social responsibility pillars: Our Planet, Health and Education.

Middle school students – up to four students per team – are invited to craft a digital concept and submit their entries by creating a written description or a one to two-minute video. Entries must define a problem in one of TCS’ three social responsibility pillars; explain how their answer solves a local, national, or global issue; identify the population being served; explain at least three benefits of the digital solution; identify at least two computational thinking strategies used to develop the solution; and present thinking and planning using visuals.

Submissions will be judged based on creativity, content, persuasiveness and overall presentation. Ten winners will then be selected to receive prizes including the Grand Prize of a $10,000 scholarship and virtual mentorship with TCS mentors to bring their winning idea to life. Winners of the Top Pillar prizes in Our Planet, Health and Education will receive $7,500, and six Winner Circle prizes of $1,000 will be awarded. Winners will be announced in spring 2019. All video and written description entries must be submitted online by Thursday, January 17 at www.ignitemyfutureinschool.org/Challenge.

On a national level, Ignite My Future in School has a goal of engaging 20,000 teachers and one million U.S. students by 2021. As a first step towards this objective, TCS and Discovery Education have partnered with U.S. school districts in the Washington, D.C. area, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Missouri, Michigan and Wisconsin as early adopters and launch sites of this transdisciplinary approach. Since launching, IMFIS has provided training materials valued at more than $2 million and engaged nearly 300,000 students and over 5,100 educators in all 50 states throughout 55 school districts.

To learn more about Ignite My Future in School, go to www.ignitemyfutureinschool.org.

Tweet me:Sparking youth innovation and digital exploration @TCS_NA’s ‘Ignite Innovation Student Challenge’ enters its final week! Apply by Jan. 17 for the change to win $10K, http://bit.ly/2SSwIDO #IgniteMyFuture

KEYWORDS: NYSE:DISCA, Tata Consultancy Services, discovery education, Social Impact, Ignite My Future in School

Schneider Electric does not only help clients to identify sustainability opportunities, but also asses risks that companies may face and help them be more resilient

SOURCE:Schneider Electric

DESCRIPTION:

According to findings from the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook, energy consumption is expected to increase by 50% between 2005 and 2030. In order to ensure decarbonization goals are met in response to the climate crisis, the world energy markets are facing an inevitable transformation today. Faced with challenges like extreme temperatures, fluctuating prices, and unpredictable policies, organizations need greater resilience to increase their reliability.

What are the risks that companies face in response to drive more sustainable operations? Does your organization have strong resilience in the face of increasing risks?  Within Schneider Electric, the Energy and Sustainability Services (ESS) provides consulting on active energy management to leading companies around the world.

Assess your companies to build up risk resilience

With Schneider Electric’s Energy & Sustainability Risk Assessment, join us together to react to climate change. It is time for organizations to take the proactive measurement to prevent risks in advance. Let us prepare to be resilient in the face of the unpredictable future with full of opportunities.

Learn more about Schneider Electric’s sustainability:https://www.schneider-electric.com/en/about-us/sustainability/

Tweet me:Watch how @SchneiderElec helps customers with #EcoStruxure services to actively manage energy from being risk https://youtu.be/VV0YTSzN8ms

KEYWORDS: EPA:SU, Schneider Electric, climate change, Energy & Sustainability Risk Assessment, EcoStruxure, risk management

New initiatives include scaling the use of ag tech to generate economic, environmental benefits

SOURCE:EDF+Business

DESCRIPTION:

SPRINGDALE, Ark., January 15, 2019 /3BL Media/ – Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today announced a new partnership to develop and deploy initiatives that support Tyson’s sustainability strategy and help meet increasing consumer demand for more sustainably grown food.

The partnership’s first project focuses on land stewardship and aims to pilot and scale agriculture practices on 500,000 acres of corn that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), improve water quality and maximize farmer profitability. This effort will also help Tyson meet its land stewardship goal of working with farmers to improve environmental practices across two million acres of corn production by 2020.

The pilot will use cloud-based agricultural technologies from MyFarms and Farmers Business Network (FBN), both of which collect information on agricultural production practices while protecting data privacy. Insights from the analysis of that data will inform sustainability practices at the field level.

“If the largest U.S. food company can prove the viability of farming practices that are good for the planet and for profits, it would be a game changer,” noted Jenny Ahlen, director of the EDF+Business supply chain program. “We’re using scientific analysis to measure the benefits of sustainable farming practices, help companies like Tyson evaluate the impact of their sustainability initiatives, and inspire transparency across the supply chain.”

MyFarms and FBN will work to enroll farmers in the initial sustainable agriculture project. FBN will be providing this opportunity to its 7,600 members, who span nearly 30 million acres, and are looking for new ways to continue their commitment to sustainable agriculture. Farmers enrolled in MyFarms will also have the opportunity to pilot a new scientific method, based on extensive scientific research compiled by EDF, for calculating nitrogen loss. Excessive nitrogen application is a primary water quality concern, contributes to agricultural GHG emissions, and is a source of lost income for farmers. 

“Developing a sustainable food system is important to our business and the planet,” said Justin Whitmore, executive vice president of continuous improvement and chief sustainability officer, Tyson Foods. “Joining forces with EDF enables us to bring together the best of our joint expertise in supply chains and sustainable agriculture and deliver value to growers, businesses and the environment.”

Other features of the partnership include:

• Analyzing sustainability data on farmland, as part of Tyson’s land stewardship commitment.
• Publicly communicate progress and best practices that surface from pilot projects.

“Farmers are the most important stewards of the land, and it’s vital they have tools and markets to farm sustainably and be profitable doing so,” said Charles Baron, co-founder of Farmers Business Network. “FBN is committed to finding new opportunities for crop farmers to develop markets for sustainable practices.”

“MyFarms believes that farmers have both the desire and the opportunity to learn from one another,” said Chris Fennig, managing director of MyFarms. “We also recognize the value of their long-term business relationships, so we’ve built a set of cloud-based tools that enable advisors to better inform their farmer clients about opportunities to improve economic and environmental outcomes at the farm gate."

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About Environmental Defense Fund

Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading international nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships. Connect with us on our EDF+Business blog, EDF Voices, Twitter and Facebook.

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company had 121,000 team members at September 29, 2018. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.TysonFoods.com.  

Contact:
Cristina Mestre, EDF: 212-616-1268, cmestre@edf.org
Caroline Ahn, Tyson: 312-614-6047, caroline.ahn@tyson.com

Tweet me:The largest US food company just partnered with @EnvDefenseFund on sustainable food. Here's how @TysonFoods and EDF are using tech to scale solutions. #agtech http://bit.ly/2su8KTP

KEYWORDS: food production, GHG emissions, Tysons, ag tech, water quality, sustainability, EDF+Business

SOURCE:Freeport-McMoRan

DESCRIPTION:

January 15, 2019 - The Central Market of Calama recently unveiled a newly painted façade for the popular commercial building thanks to the support of Minera El Abra, a Freeport-McMoRan company.

Improving the appearance of the city’s Latorre Commercial District was an initiative of Calama Plus, which brings together several companies and organizations operating in Calama such as El Abra, a Freeport-McMoRan company, the municipality of Calama, Sercotec, and the Central Market Community.

In addition to the façade, renovations inside the building included electrical work and interior remodeling.

To learn more about how Freeport-McMoRan collaborates with its communities, please see fcx.com.

To read more about Freeport-McMoRan’s social, economic and environmental efforts, see the 2017 Working Towards Sustainable Development Report.

Tweet me:The Freeport-McMoRan Foundation in Chile helps Renovate the Central Market of Calama, Chile http://bit.ly/2Rf72jl #copper #ICMM

KEYWORDS: FCX, El Abra, Calama, Latorre Commercial District, renovation, Commerce, NYSE:FCX, Freeport-McMoRan

Leaders in tree planting, conservation and environmental stewardship from around the country and world to be honored through the annual Arbor Day Awards

SOURCE:Arbor Day Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

LINCOLN, Neb., January 15, 2019 /3BL Media/ – The Arbor Day Foundation has announced finalists for its annual recognition program with the winners to be announced prior to National Arbor Day on April 26, 2019. Since 1972, the Foundation has presented awards for work at the international, national, state and community levels to recognize conservation efforts such as tree planting and care, Arbor Day celebrations, education, community projects and roadside beautification. This year 25 finalists have been identified for six awards including:

The Spirit of Arbor Day award, which recognizes an organization or community that fulfills the Foundation’s mission through programs and activities that have been implemented within the past five years.

• Ballet in the City, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio:
  “Plant a Tree for BIC,” an initiative started in 2018, encourages dance volunteers and community ambassadors to plant trees in their home community to reduce the impact of tree loss in urban areas.
• City of Kalispell, Montana:
  Arbor Day is a big deal in Kalispell, Montana. In 2018, every third-grader participated in a day-long educational event at a city park, while volunteers planted 24 new trees. The city capped the day off with a tree distribution to residents, sponsored by a local brewery.
• City of Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board—Forestry Department, Minnesota:
  For 40 years, “Elmer the Elm Tree” has spread a positive message about caring for trees, during community Arbor Day celebrations, neighborhood festivals, school carnivals and parades. It is estimated that Elmer’s message of tree care has reached over one-half million residents since 1978.
• Beyond Housing, St. Louis, Missouri:
  Since 1975, Beyond Housing has served to build community, as well as affordable housing, in 24 municipalities in St. Louis County. Their “24-to-1” initiative now includes a professional urban forester to guide urban tree management, enrollment in the Tree City USA program and the celebration of Arbor Day.
• Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Grand Rapids, Michigan:
  The Urban Forest Project works toward reaching a goal of 40% tree canopy in Grand Rapids through a variety of training programs and educational events, including Kids to Parks Day, BBQ & Beautify, Fall Family Park Fest and Winter West
• TreeFolks, Inc., Austin, Texas:
  Through two multi-year initiatives in Bastrop and Hays Counties, Texas, TreeFolks has planted more than 2.5 million trees in communities devastated by wildfire and flood, restoring hope to more than 800 families.

The J. Sterling Morton award, which recognizes an individual who has had a positive impact on the environment due to his or her lifelong commitment to tree planting and conservation. The individual will have demonstrated a commitment to advancing tree planting and care through a record of education, work experience, talent and temperament.

• Dr. Kathleen Wolf, Seattle, Washington:
  Kathy Wolf’s research focus at the University of Washington is to better understand how people’s perceptions, attitudes, emotions and even their mental and physical wellbeing are influenced by interactions with nature in cities and towns. Her work is nothing short of revolutionary, and thanks to Kathy we now use the phrase ‘nearby nature’ to help describe the social benefits of urban forests.
• Dr. Edward E. Louis, Jr., Omaha, Nebraska:
  Using his expertise as a veterinarian and geneticist, Ed Louis has embraced the island of Madagascar’s biodiversity and the challenge to conserve it. The programs he developed have helped plant more than 2 million trees, discovered more than two dozen animal species, supported 68 graduate students, employed 166 Malagasy people full-time and 207 part-time and engaged more than 3,000 Malagasy citizens in planting trees and monitoring lemurs.
• Jim Rooni, Austin, Texas:
  Jim Rooni has spent his 35-year career in forestry with a dedication to community, partnerships and trees. As chief regional forester for the Texas A&M Forest Service in Austin Texas, Jim spearheaded community and landscape restoration efforts following wildfires in Bastrop County and flooding along the Blanco River. He established the Emerging Communities program to address urban expansion into rural landscapes and led the West Texas partnership to restore native populations of ponderosa pine.

The Trailblazer award, which recognizes an individual under the age of 35 who has demonstrated leadership in forestry, community forestry, research or tree care during the past five years.

• Tom Ebeling, St. Louis, Missouri:
  Tom Ebeling leads community outreach and education for Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, along with management of the organization’s volunteer tree nursery. Through his efforts to promote the “Plant MOre Trees” app, Tom is helping Forest ReLeaf and its partners plant and record the locations of 1 million native trees across Missouri by 2020.
• Jessica Sanders, Washington, District of Columbia:
  Jessica has a passion for the urban forest and leads research at Casey Trees, focusing on enhancing urban forestry practices. Under her tenure, she created citizen-science initiatives to engage the public in tree planting, maintenance and research. Over three years, she has leveraged the time and labor of nearly 500 volunteers to inventory public park and school properties across the District of Columbia.
• Lee Mueller, Grand Rapids, Michigan:
  Lee brings his experience as a non-profit tree planting coordinator—in cities, large (Detroit) and small (Grand Rapids)—to his new role as an urban forestry consultant for Davey Resource Group. He believes his responsibility is to help communities advance their community tree programs by using his experience and ideas to solve local problems—using trees.
• David Moore, Oakland, California:
  The title of Senior Tree Supervisor at the City of Oakland, California, belies David Moore’s age and accomplishments. During his tenure at New York City Parks, David developed a sophisticated system of tree procurement that is a model for urban foresters across the country, and he served as co-chair of the MillionTreesNYC committee. He also served as president of the New York State Urban Forestry Council from 2015-17, where he was highly regarded for his organizational and leadership skills.
• Caroline Coster, Santa Monica, California:
  A growing school needs new buildings, and the Santa Monica High School (Samohi) campus is no exception. So, Caroline Coster created a student-run nursery to propagate trees and other nursery plants for adding new shade during each phase of construction over the next 25 years. Her “Branching Out” program engages students in the Samohi Gardening Club to grow the trees from seed and seedling, along with materials and support from Tree People in Los Angeles.

The Headwaters award, which celebrates innovative programs—in rural or urban areas—that support the improvement of water quality and quantity through forestry activities.

•  Northwest Florida Water Management District, Havana, Florida:
  Healthy forests produce clean water, and since 1993 the District has planted more than 15 million longleaf pine seedlings to improve the native forest landscapes within the Ecofina Creek Water Management Area, which provides drinking water for residents of Bay County.
• Friends of the Rappahannock, Fredericksburg, Virginia:
  The Chesapeake Bay region needs 900 miles of new streamside forest buffers to stay on track to meet pollution reduction goals. The “Headwater Stream Initiative,” a partnership led by Friends of the Rappahannock, provides 100% cost sharing for installing buffers in six Virginia counties that make up the Upper Rappahannock River watershed. To date, 500 volunteers have planted more than 7,500 trees on 30 acres of new streamside habitat.
• Team Willamette, Portland, Oregon:
  This collaborative team of non-profits, state and regional agencies share messaging and resources as members of the Willamette River Initiative. Over the past seven years, Team Willamette has planted more than 3.9 million trees and shrubs for water quality and habitat improvement in the Willamette Basin.

The Champion of Trees award, which recognizes a government entity, community-based organization, or partnership among such groups that has demonstrated exemplary leadership to develop and implement new policies and practices for municipal tree planting and care, natural area stewardship or arboriculture.

• Macomb County Dept. of Planning & Economic Development, Mt. Clemens, Michigan:
  As one of the most developed areas of Michigan—with the least tree cover—the County Planning Department has established the Green Macomb Urban Forest Partnership to plant trees in communities with low canopy cover, high population density and highly-impacted watersheds. Since 2016, the initiative has fostered networking among 12 communities, conducted ten planting events and planted or distributed 1,400 trees.
• City of Charlotte, North Carolina:
  Charlotte’s Tree Canopy Preservation Program (TCPP) preserves natural areas in the city through voluntary purchases or easements, paid for by fees collected from developers. Since 2014, the city has protected 221 acres, an area three times larger than what would have been protected through traditional tree preservation codes, and acquisitions are targeted rather than left to developer choice.
• Tucson Water, Tucson Clean & Beautiful, and theCity of Tucson, Arizona:
  This partnership is led by Tucson Water with the goal of capturing stormwater at the neighborhood scale to clean runoff before it enters streams and rivers. Trees for Tucson, a program of Tucson Clean & Beautiful, administers the program and enlists neighborhood volunteers to plant and water the trees, many of which are planted in city parks.
• Western Reserve Land Conservancy and Holden Arboretum & Gardens, Cleveland, Ohio:
  As active members of the Cleveland Tree Coalition, Western Reserve Land Conservancy joined with Holden Forests and Gardens (HFG) to establish the Sherwick Tree Steward training program to educate residents and community members about the importance of trees, seek input on tree planting sites within their neighborhoods, empower them to plant trees and teach them how to provide ongoing tree care.
• South Dakota Resource Conservation & Forestry Division, and the City of Mobridge, South Dakota:
  Through South Dakota’s first Community Forest Initiative, the City of Mobridge now has the services of a certified arborist to assist with all tree-related issues, from employee training, disease identification and control, to conducting a public tree inventory and writing a long-term Master Tree Plan. At each budget cycle, the city has funded the program, proving the value of the partnership to city leaders. More trees are being planted, the city is once again in the Tree City USA program and was the first South Dakota city to receive a Tree City USA Growth Award.
• Village of Hazel Crest, Illinois:
  This program of natural area stewardship has transformed a 53-acre tract from a landscape dominated by invasive European buckthorn to a public open space with a diversity of more than 100 species of trees and shrubs. The property is now a focal point for recreation, volunteer engagement and civic pride.

The Friend of the Forest award, which recognizes a corporation and its leaders for their commitment to using trees and forests to achieve corporate sustainability goals and targets.

• International Paper, Memphis, Tennessee:
  For 110 years, International Paper has based its business model on the sustainability of forests. Not only does the company follow sustainable forestry practices on its timberlands and through its supply chain, but it also leads forest conservation efforts even in countries in which it does not operate.
• Verizon Communications, New York, New York:
  Employee engagement is central to Verizon’s sustainability efforts in the U.S. and in 37 countries around the world. Their “Green Teams” include almost 30,000 employees, who serve as ‘green ambassadors’ in their home communities. Planting trees is a core activity for these employees, and since 2009, Green Team employees have planted more than 685,000 trees, on target to exceed the company goal of planting 2 million trees by 2030.

More information about the awards and past winners can be found at arborday.org/programs/awards.

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About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. During the last 45 years, more than 250 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty and hunger.

As one of the world’s largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees.  More information is available at arborday.org.

Tweet me:Check out the finalists for @arborday awards. http://bit.ly/2sfKmoI

Contact Info:

Danny Cohn
Arbor Day Foundation
+1 (402) 473-9563
dcohn@arborday.org

KEYWORDS: Environmental Awards, conservation efforts, Arbor Day Foundation

Follow SCS as we verify a carbon offset project

SOURCE:SCS Global Services

DESCRIPTION:

Since 2008, SCS Global Services has conducted hundreds of assessments of carbon offset projects around the world. Our role is to conduct independent audits and inspections to ensure that offset projects comply with standards and accomplish their carbon sequestration goals.

Third-party verification is a prerequisite for the sale or trade of credits on carbon markets. Carbon offsets and Cap and Trade programs incentivize companies to reduce their emissions, and give landowners investment resources to continue their sustainable forestry practices.

“Prior to carbon offset projects, the majority of ways to generate revenues from the forests were to cut the trees and send them to the mill, or to cut all the trees and convert the forest to something other than forestland,” says SCS Forester Francis Eaton.

“This way, we still get to enjoy the forest, and the forest gets to perform its role: sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and providing oxygen for us to breathe.”

In this video, we follow Francis at an offset project in Northern California as he evaluates the amount of carbon being sequestered in a 9,000-acre property.

Carbon offset projects help safeguard forests, protect wildlife, provide economic benefits to communities, and advance global climate objectives. Worldwide, nearly 300 billion tons of carbon are being sequestered in the planet’s forests, although only a fraction of that amount is verified and available for trading on mandatory and voluntary carbon markets.

Over 10 years, the McCloud River Forest Project has increased its carbon dioxide sequestration by over 450,000 metric tons. That additional amount offsets the energy consumption of 50,000 homes for an entire year. The timberland is managed by Campbell Global and is registered under the Climate Action Reserve as an Improved Forest Management Project with the help of Bluesource, a carbon offset project developer.

Visit our Forest and Land-Use Carbon Offset Verification page to learn more about how projects like this one provide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Tweet me:VIDEO: Learn how carbon offset projects safeguard forests, protect wildlife, provide economic benefits, and advance global #climate objectives. #SCSKingfisher http://bit.ly/2AOcT9w

Contact Info:

Alona Rivord
SCS Global Services
+1 (510) 452-8032
arivord@scsglobalservices.com

KEYWORDS: forests, forest carbon, climate, climate change, Climate Action Reserve, cap and trade, SCS, scs global services, bluesource, campbell global

SOURCE:Nestlé

DESCRIPTION:

VEVEY, Switzerland, January 15, 2019 /3BL Media/ - Nestlé today laid out its broader vision to achieve a waste-free future and announced a series of specific actions towards meeting its April 2018 commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, with a particular focus on avoiding plastic-waste.

Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider said, “Our broader vision and action plan outline our commitment and specific approach to addressing the plastics packaging waste issue.

While we are committed to pursuing recycling options where feasible, we know that 100% recyclability is not enough to successfully tackle the plastics waste crisis. We need to push the boundaries and do more. We are determined to look at every option to solve this complex challenge and embrace multiple solutions that can have an impact now. We believe in the value of recyclable and compostable paper-based materials and biodegradable polymers, in particular where recycling infrastructure does not exist. 

Collective action is vital, which is why we are also engaging consumers, business partners and all of our Nestlé colleagues to play their part. 

You can count on us to be a leader in this space!”

Addressing the multifaceted issue of plastic pollution requires a holistic view and a well-orchestrated effort. To realize this objective, specific actions are required. In line with this approach, Nestlé today announced tangible steps to pioneer alternative materials, shape a waste-free future and drive behavior change.

Pioneering alternative materials

In December 2018, Nestlé announced the creation of its Institute of Packaging Sciences to evaluate and develop various sustainable packaging materials and to collaborate with industrial partners to develop new packaging materials and solutions.

Between 2020 and 2025, Nestlé will phase out all plastics that are not recyclable or are hard to recycle for all its products worldwide. In doing so, Nestlé is rolling out alternative packaging materials across its global product portfolio and establishing partnerships with cutting-edge packaging specialists:

• Starting in February 2019, Nestlé will begin to eliminate all plastic straws from its products, using alternative materials like paper as well as innovative designs to reduce littering.
• Nestlé will also start rolling out paper packaging for Nesquik in the first quarter of 2019 and for the Yes! snack bar in the second half of 2019. Smarties will start rolling out plastic-free packaging in 2019 and Milo will introduce paper-based pouches in 2020. 
• Nestlé Waters will increase the recycled PET content in its bottles to 35% by 2025 at the global level and will reach 50% in the United States, with a specific focus on its iconic brand Poland Spring. In addition, Nestlé Waters will increase the recycled PET content for its European brands Acqua Panna, Buxton, Henniez and Levissima to 50% by 2025.
• Successful recycling requires an adequate infrastructure, which is currently not always in place. Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences is exploring new paper-based materials and biodegradable/compostable polymers that are also recyclable, among other alternatives. This could become a valuable option in places where recycling infrastructure does not yet exist and will not be available for some time. 
• Nestlé is also collaborating with external partners. The Company has formed a global partnership with Danimer Scientific to develop a marine biodegradable and recyclable bottle for its water business. Danimer Scientific, based in Bainbridge, GA, is a pioneer in creating more sustainable and more natural ways to make plastic products.
• Furthermore, Nestlé initiated a collaboration with PureCycle Technologies to produce food-grade recycled Polypropylene (PP). PureCycle Technologies is commercializing ground-breaking recycling technologies which can remove color, odor and contaminants from plastic waste feedstock in order to transform it into virgin-like resin. Polypropylene is a polymer commonly used for packing food in trays, tubs, cups and bottles.

Shaping a waste-free future

Over and above delivering on its 2025 commitment, Nestlé has a longer-term ambition to stop plastic leakage into the environment across its global operations. This will help avoid further accumulation of plastics in nature and achieve plastic neutrality. 

Plastic waste in the ocean poses a particular threat to Indonesia as well as other Southeast Asian countries. Nestlé has therefore become the first food company to partner with Project STOP, which was launched in Indonesia in 2017. Project STOP is a leading initiative to prevent the leakage of plastic into the ocean by developing partnerships with cities and governments in Southeast Asia. Project STOP is creating sustainable, circular and low-cost waste systems that capture as much value from waste as possible. It supports the many existing local initiatives and informal waste pickers in Indonesia’s coastal areas. Over the coming months, we will take the learnings from this project to other countries where we operate in an effort to deliver ‘plastic neutrality’ in those markets. Nestlé will provide more details at the appropriate time.

Driving new behavior

Addressing the plastic waste challenge requires behavior change from all of us. Nestlé is committed to leading lasting and impactful change. We know there is no better place to start than from within our own Company.

All 4,200 Nestlé facilities worldwide are committed to eliminating single-use plastic items that cannot be recycled. These items will be replaced by materials that can easily be recycled or reused. We encourage the consumption of all of our products at our locations. For recyclable materials such as PET and aluminum, we will ensure that the proper means to collect and handle are available where consumed and our commitment to recycling is well communicated.

Nestlé employees in all locations worldwide and at all levels will dedicate their volunteering days to the removal of litter and participate in clean-up activities on World Ocean Day on June 8, 2019. To lead the way, Nestlé’s Executive Board and employees at the Company’s global headquarters in Switzerland will volunteer to clean the shores of Lake Geneva in May 2019.

Responding to the plastic waste challenge and striving for zero environmental impact in its operations is an integral part of Nestlé’s commitment to creating shared value for shareholders and society. Nestlé is particularly dedicated to accelerating action in tackling the plastic waste issue and report on the Company’s progress publicly.

This press release is also available in French (pdf) and in German (pdf).

Tweet me:.@Nestle lays out vision to achieve a waste-free future with series of specific actions towards meeting 2018 commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, with particular focus on avoiding plastic-waste http://bit.ly/2sqIvgW

Contact Info:

Christoph Meier
Media
+41-219242200

KEYWORDS: Nestle, plastic waste, Institute of Packaging Sciences

Tony Hernandez, founder of Jax Media, says taking a 'gamble' on people is the best way to get more diversity both behind and in front of the camera.

SOURCE:Viacom

DESCRIPTION:

By Nicole Bitette

Tony Hernandez was a line producer on “Louie” when he realized there was an opportunity to create talent-driven comedic series that could be produced for a fraction of the budget of typical broadcast network comedies. The idea led him to found his production company, Jax Media, and a long-running partnership with Viacom networks, producing hits like “Broad City,” “Inside Amy Schumer,” and “Younger.”

Hernandez is of the mindset that risks are the best way to implement diversity, both behind and in front of the camera. Mandates aren’t enough. “The real change is going to come in a farm system, in letting people get the [talent representation] to get the job, or taking real risks on people. Your episode might be messed up because the person’s a rookie, but, without that, we’re going to keep pulling the same 20 diverse directors,” Hernandez explains. “We all need to take a little bit of a gamble to fix the problem, and it’s not that crazy.”

He add that the showrunners of the series he’s currently working on, Broad City, First Wives Clubs and Florida Girls have put a firm policy to employ a crew that’s diverse.

He says that Jax hires diverse individuals who might only have had one or two experiences to give them opportunities to build their skills “since no one is giving them a chance to build their resumes.” He also chooses projects that elevate minority voices and speak to audiences that are underserved.

“We want our slate to reflect our thinking,” he says. “We’ll automatically do anything that’s indisputably good, and then after that, it’s, ‘let’s find a good show that speaks to this group of people and has these faces in it.’”

Tweet me:Tony Hernandez, founder of @Viacom partner @Jax_Media, says taking a 'gamble' on people is the best way to get more diversity both behind and in front of the camera http://bit.ly/2SKrBpg

KEYWORDS: Viacom, NASDAQ:VIA

SOURCE:Sysco

DESCRIPTION:

Sysco is starting off the year focused on the big issues!

Through extensive engagement with internal and external stakeholders, our materiality process identified 10 critical issues that are material to the future our business and the needs, interests, and concerns of Sysco's stakeholders. Check out the infographic above to see how we're Delivering A Better Tomorrow.

To learn more about Sysco's commitment to Delivering A Better Tomorrow, read our 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility report here.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 67,000 associates, the company operates approximately 330 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 600,000 customer locations. For fiscal 2018 that ended June 30, 2018, the company generated sales of more than $58 billion.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoCorporation or Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sysco. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. Investors should also follow us at www.twitter.com/SyscoStock and download the Sysco IR App, available on the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Market. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

Tweet me:.@Sysco is starting off the year focused on the big issues! Learn more about their commitment to #DeliveringABetterTomorrow: http://bit.ly/2SXhBsA

KEYWORDS: NYSE:SYY, Sysco, Delivering A Better Tomorrow

SOURCE:Discovery Education

SUMMARY:

- In Support of Core Instruction, Multiyear Partnership Introduces Career Explorations, Curricular Tools, and Classroom Project Starters Based on MLB’s Vast Archive and State-Of-The-Art Tracking Technology - 

- Baltimore County Public Schools Host National Launch Event -

DESCRIPTION:

SILVER SPRING, Md., January 15, 2019 /3BL Media/ – Major League Baseball (MLB) and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital curriculum, content, and professional development for K-12 classrooms, today announced the launch of a new, multiyear partnership that brings Major League Baseball’s dynamic content into Discovery Education’s Science Techbooks. The partnership launched during a special event in the Baltimore County Public Schools’ Deep Creek Middle School, during which Nicole Sherry, Head Groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles, worked alongside area students as they analyzed turf samples taken from Baltimore’s Oriole Park at Camden Yards.  

Through the collaboration between MLB and Discovery Education, educators using Discovery Education’s Science Techbooks have been empowered with new digital resources that help students connect the world of baseball to key science and STEM concepts through real-world data and exciting gameday experiences that fuel deeper engagement.  During this initial phase of the partnership, a variety of MLB-themed content has been integrated into Discovery Education’s STEM Connect and Steaming Plus services.

“Continuously finding new and exciting ways to engage my students in science and STEM lessons is one of the biggest challenges I face as an educator,” said Michael J. Fuchs, the 7^th grade Science Teacher whose classroom hosted today’s event at Deep Creek Middle School. “The new Major League Baseball-themed content now available in Discovery Education’s digital services give me some powerful new tools and resources I will use to create immersive science lessons for my students.” 

The new resources, which have real-world applications and are now available to teachers and students nationwide through the MLB- Discovery Education Partnership, include:

• Major League Baseball-themed Career Videos
  
  • The videos, which were produced by Discovery Education, showcase a variety of MLB careers and help students connect what they are learning in school to multiple career options in Major League Baseball, such as a groundskeeper, data analyst, and baseball operations executive. These resources will be available in the middle school and high school editions of Discovery Education’s Science Techbook, Discovery Education’s STEM Connect, and the Discovery Education Streaming Plus supplemental content service. 
     
• STEM Project Starters
  
  • Features authentic data from MLB’s StatCast, the state-of-the-art tracking technology that allows for the collection and analysis of a massive amount of baseball data. The baseball-focused STEM Project Starters challenge students to solve real-world questions, such as “how does stadium altitude affect the number of home runs hit there?” or “how does playing surface impact player speed?”  These resources will also be available in the middle school and high school editions of Discovery Education’s Science Techbook.
     
• STEM in Action
  • Leveraging information from baseball-focused STEM career videos and other primary sources, students are challenged to solve authentic problems as a professional in the “real world” would. In this series, they must design a way for players and coaches to communicate in real-time in order to accomplish the following:  inform player performance, use data to compare field conditions at different ballparks, and answer questions about subsystems that are needed to run a stadium. These resources will be available in the middle school and high school editions of Discovery Education’s Science Techbook.

In addition, Discovery Education Streaming Plus will be home to a new MLB-focused Content Collection, which will house a variety of baseball themed curriculum assets—including “best of” videos and images from the MLB archives—all available for educator use and their seamless integration into classroom instruction. Additional dynamic content will be available in Spring of 2019.

“Major League Baseball is excited to launch this innovative partnership with Discovery Education, which reflects our shared goals of engaging students across the country, particularly in science and STEM,” said Barbara McHugh, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Major League Baseball. “We believe this high-quality digital media learning tool will offer educators an opportunity to drive greater understanding of science and STEM, particularly in their application to careers within our sport, and help students discover the beauty of our game year-round.”

"At Discovery Education, we believe a strong background in science and STEM is critical to today’s students’ future success,” said Discovery Education President of K-12 Education Scott Kinney. "Major League Baseball shares this belief, and we are honored to partner with their talented team to bring students and teachers unique, relevant, real world content that drives the deeper student engagement in science and STEM that we know leads to improved academic achievement."

Currently used by approximately 5.6 million students across all 50 states and Canada, Discovery Education’s award-winning Techbooks are fully interactive, comprehensive digital textbooks.  pdated regularly at no-cost, all Techbooks are standards-aligned and provide educators a complete digital curriculum that includes detailed lesson plans, hands-on activities, digital simulations, and robust teacher support that immerse students in instruction.

Discovery Education’s Science Techbook series empowers educators to transform science instruction through rich content such as video, audio, text, interactives with hands-on activities, and virtual labs that help educators differentiate instruction and provide a rich and engaging learning experience for students. Additional student features include Spanish/English text-to-speech and leveled reading tools and note-taking and highlighting capabilities.  The Science Techbooks series also includes valuable STEM resources including STEM Project Starters that encourage students to connect math, technology, and engineering to their understanding of science concepts to produce creative solutions to real world problems. In addition, the STEM In Action resources help students connect their work to STEM careers, which promotes a clearer understanding of how skills used in school can be applied to jobs “in the real world.” 

Discovery Education’s STEM Connect is a cutting-edge, web-based, interdisciplinary K-8 supplemental resource that helps students develop the creative, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills they need for success beyond graduation. Featuring flexible, modular learning units, STEM Connect provides students an easy-to-follow educational experience that includes real-world challenges, career connections, and hands-on activities.

Discovery Education Streaming Plus is an award-winning comprehensive digital service supplementing instruction across all K-12 curricular areas. The Streaming Plus helps build students’ mastery in interpreting, understanding, and evaluating information through a variety of digital assets including images, primary source documents, podcasts, oral interviews, articles, videos, interactives, and more.  A powerful suite of content creation tools within Streaming Plus help students create their own content, and additional tools help teachers and students safely and easily collaborate in real-time on virtual projects.

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital curricular resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @DiscoveryEd, or find us on Instagram and Pinterest.

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About Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Major League Baseball is the best-attended sport in North America, and since 2004, MLB has enjoyed its best-attended seasons in the history of the game. Led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB currently features record levels of labor peace, competitive balance and industry revenues, as well as the most comprehensive drug-testing program in American professional sports. MLB remains committed to making an impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world, perpetuating the sport’s larger role in society and permeating every facet of baseball’s business, marketing and community relations endeavors. With the continued success of MLB Network and MLB digital platforms, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s National Pastime and a truly global game. For more information on Major League Baseball, visit www.MLB.com

About Discovery Education

As the global leader in standards-based digital curriculum and content for K-12 classrooms worldwide, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving more than 5 million educators and 51 million students, Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms and primary schools in the UK, and more than 90 countries around the globe. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.

Contact:

Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education
240-463-2894
Stephen_Wakefield@discovery.com
 

Maria José Sanabria, Discovery Education
240-477-9665
Maria_Sanabria@discovery.com

Steve Arocho, Major League Baseball
212-931-7581
Steven.Arocho@mlb.com  

Tweet me:HOME RUN ⚾️ @MLB and @DiscoveryEd team up to take students out to the ball game to create science and #STEM engagement directly from their classrooms, http://bit.ly/2DbrTQE.

KEYWORDS: NYSE:DISCA, Major League Baseball, baltimore, Science Techbooks, Teachers, students, STEM Project Starters

SOURCE:Aflac

DESCRIPTION:

What can you learn about benefits and employee concerns through casual conversations with people on the street? Find out by watching three new videos that take a lighthearted and humorous approach to benefits realities using questions from the 2018 Aflac WorkForces Report.

About Aflac  

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite. Through its trailblazing One Day PaySM initiative, for eligible claims, Aflac U.S. can process, approve and electronically send funds to claimants for quick access to cash in just one business day. In Japan, Aflac is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4 households. Aflac insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For 12 consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2018, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for the 20th consecutive year and included Aflac on its list of World's Most Admired Companies for the 17th time. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One Day PaySM, visit aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol.

Aflac herein means American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus and American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999.

Tweet me:What can you learn about benefits and employee concerns through casual conversations with people on the street? Find out by watching @Aflac's lighthearted and humorous approach to benefits realities using questions from the 2018 Aflac WorkForces Report http://bit.ly/2ALq23b

KEYWORDS: NYSE:AFL, Aflac, employee benefits, employee wellness

New carbon-neutral certified facility highlights signature kitchen suite, LG AI innovations, broad ENERGY STAR appliance portfolio

SOURCE:LG Electronics USA, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

NAPA, Calif., January 15, 2019 /3BL Media/ – LG Electronics USA has opened a first-of-its-kind sustainable facility designed to bring to life the built-in luxury Signature Kitchen Suite in unique culinary, design and technology experiences for retailers, designers and builders.

Located in the heart of culinary-centric Napa Valley, Calif., the multi-million-dollar “Experience & Design Center” was designed with environmental sustainability at its core, incorporating super-efficient LG commercial air conditioning and LG LED lighting systems. The center – a brand epicenter exploring the intersection between technology, sustainability and culinary innovation – features scores of ENERGY STAR^® certified LG home appliances.

The Experience & Design Center facility is 100-percent powered by renewable energy and carbon neutral certified, “further underscoring LG’s commitment to greener living,” according William Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics North America. LG Electronics joined MCE Clean Energy’s 100-percent-renewable “Deep Green” program, which sources power from wind and solar projects in California and supports the development of new, local renewable energy projects in the state. 

“We’re proud to participate in greenhouse gas reduction efforts in Napa County and greater California and to engage in green initiatives that support the communities where we operate,” said Cho. “Equally important, the opening of this sustainably designed facility marks a key milestone for LG home appliances in the United States, providing our partners with unique interactive brand experiences across our award-winning energy-efficient product portfolio.”

The centerpiece of the 23,000-square-foot facility is the high-performance Signature Kitchen Suite-equipped demonstration kitchen, which is one of 20-plus vignettes. Founded on the idea that better cooking is possible through better thinking, the Signature Kitchen Suite portfolio caters to a new generation of forward-thinking cooks called Technicureans,Ô combining their passion for food with their appreciation for innovation.

Product experts and onsite executive chefs will provide hands-on training that brings the Technicurean lifestyle to life, in partnership with local wineries and produce farms as suppliers, providing a world-class culinary counterpart to the award-winning cooking technology being demonstrated within various kitchen vignettes featuring ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator-freezers and dishwashers. Other vignettes feature LG’s “Ultimate Laundry Rooms” with the LG Styler clothing care system and dozens of LG ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers.

Another key feature of the design center is the AI Lifestyle Zone that showcases LG’s artificial intelligence technology and industry-leading smart home innovations. LG offers the industry’s broadest selection of Wi-Fi enabled appliances, and the Experience & Design Center will show how LG home appliances help enable designers, builders and dealers to create a smart home ecosystem for their clients.

Zach Elkin, general manager of Signature Kitchen Suite and LG for Builders, said, “Already one of the world’s foremost culinary destinations thanks to its top-rated wineries, restaurants and education centers, Napa Valley is the ideal location. Establishing our base here gives us unmatched access to the best vintners, farmers, ranchers, fisherman and other craftspeople that are living out a mission every day that is true to food.”

While spotlighting multiple Signature Kitchen Suite kitchens, the Experience & Design Center also features kitchen and laundry lifestyle vignettes with LG SIGNATURE, LG STUDIO and LG Brand home appliances. Beyond home appliances, the immersive experience at the design center is enhanced by advanced LG commercial displays (including dramatic LG OLED video-walls), surfaces by LG Electronics sister company LG Hausys, custom cabinetry and various surfaces and fixtures from Ann Sacks, Kohler and Waterworks, to name a few.

For more information on the broad array of Signature Kitchen Suite and LG energy efficient home appliance innovations, visit www.signaturekitchensuite.com and www.LG.com.

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $55 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, mobile phones, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, solar energy solutions and vehicle components. The “Life’s Good” marketing theme encompasses how LG is dedicated to people’s happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. LG is a 2018 ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence. www.LG.com.

Tweet me:.@LGUS's new Experience & Design Center is 100% powered by #RenewableEnergy http://bit.ly/2ssjXEf

Contact Info:

John I. Taylor
Media contacts
+1 (202) 710-3490
john.taylor@lge.com

KEYWORDS: KRX:066570, LG Electronics, Experience & Design Center, Carbon Neutral, Energy Star

SOURCE:Booz Allen Hamilton

DESCRIPTION:

Inclusion of women, people of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ community, and people in the workplace isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s good for business. According to the World Economic Forum, “individuals who work in open, diverse, and inclusive environments are usually able to perform better, because each individual is able to bring their authentic self to the workplace.”

Booz Allen’s efforts to celebrate and value diversity were recognized by Forbes for the first time, which named the firm to its list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity.

This is just one of Forbes’ many recognitions for Booz Allen. The firm has also been on lists including Best Employers for Women, Best Management Consulting Firms, and World’s Most Admired Companies (for the seventh year in a row) and ranked highly among Military.com’s Best Companies for Veterans list for the past four consecutive years.

“Our differences lead to unique ways of thinking and approaching challenges—something we truly value as a diverse community of problem solvers,” said Booz Allen Diversity and Inclusion Lead Cheryl Wade. “This recognition affirms the impact of our diversity and inclusion efforts to create an inclusive workplace experience that empowers our employees to change the world.”

“Diversity and inclusion isn’t about compliance or a ‘nice to have’ at Booz Allen - it’s a critical element of our business success,” said Booz Allen’s Chief People Officer Betty Thompson. “We believe collective ingenuity is grounded in the diverse perspectives and experiences of our employees, and our inclusive culture allows us to leverage these talents.”

To create this list, Forbes collaborated with analytics firm Statista to survey more than 50,000 U.S. employees of companies employing at least 1,000 people in their U.S. operations.

See the full Forbes list and learn more about diversity and inclusion at Booz Allen.

Tweet me:.@BoozAllen makes the list for #diversity and inclusion @Forbes http://bit.ly/2SWyG5U

KEYWORDS: Booz Allen Hamilton, workforce, recruitment, diversity and inclusion, Best employer, NYSE:BAH

Local projects will receive funds; contest ends in April

SOURCE:Consumers Energy

DESCRIPTION:

JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 15, 2019 /3BL Media/ – Consumers Energy is strengthening its commitment to rural Michigan communities by announcing a new competition to provide funding for projects that will help energize towns in the Lower Peninsula.

The “Put Your Town on the Map” competition will provide a total of $15,000 to three initiatives that are designed to build a stronger sense of community. Up to 10 finalist communities will compete for the funding at the 2019 Small Town and Rural Development Conference on April 17 in Thompsonville, Mich.

“Consumers Energy is committed to supporting vibrant, thriving communities of all sizes in Michigan. We have worked with small towns for over 130 years, and are excited to help support their community development,” said Roger Curtis, Consumers Energy’s vice president of public affairs, who also will emcee the contest. “We look forward to seeing ideas that will create even more excitement around the communities we serve.”

Consumers Energy created the competition to reward ideas and provide critical dollars for projects that are being developed in small towns throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Communities with a population of up to 10,000 have until March 1 to submit proposals. Consumers Energy and the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan will select 10 communities to make a pitch at the Rural Partners conference for a share of the grant money.

The “Put Your Town on the Map” competition aims to reward a variety of innovative ideas, such as those that attract visitors to downtowns, focus on  issues as housing, education or employment, create community pride and more. Community leaders can learn more and apply for the competition at http://rural.cedamichigan.org/conference.

Consumers Energy, its charitable foundation, employees and retirees contributed $18.5 million to support nonprofit organizations statewide last year.

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

# # #

Media Contacts: Brian Wheeler, 517-788-2394, or Terry DeDoes, 517-374-2159

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social MediaFacebook | Twitter | YouTube

Tweet me:.@ConsumersEnergy announces new competition "Put Your Town on the Map!" Michigan towns can now compete to receive #grants that bring their community development initiatives to fruition http://bit.ly/2ANzKSO #SocialImpact

KEYWORDS: NYSE:CMS, Consumers Energy

In new partnership Subaru asks college students to develop a marketing plan to effectively reach Millennial and Gen Z car buyers

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, January 15, 2019 /3BL Media/ - Effie United States, which recognizes marketing effectiveness, has announced that its ninth Effie Collegiate program will be in partnership with Subaru of America, Inc. Modeled after the Effie Awards, the Effie Collegiate program calls on the next generation’s brightest marketers to work on real world business challenges with a focus on creating marketing that really works.

Tweet me:.@Subaru_USA and @EffieAwards announce the 2019 Brand Challenge! College students can share their #marketing plans to effectively reach #millennials and #GenZ car buyers http://bit.ly/2P5ZYEu #subaru #advertising #branding

KEYWORDS: NYSE:FUJHF, Subaru of America, Effie United States, Effie Collegiate program, partnersips, millennials, Gen Z, marketing

The workforce is changing, and that has many people making sweeping generalizations about trends. PNC’s director of talent explains why it’s important to take a step back.

SOURCE:PNC Financial Services Group

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Over the past three decades, experts have had much to say about the changing workforce and the future of work. While trending topics vary over time, one thing is clear: talent– having the right people in the right roles at the right companies – is more important than ever. Even though most people can agree on that, you still hear about misleading “trends” that seem to predict doom and gloom for job seekers, employers and employees alike. However, Cat McLaughlin, director of talent and total rewards at PNC, says many “trends” are specific to certain industries or even outright myths.

McLaughlin sets the record straight on five common themes about the workforce.

1. Myth: Millennials change jobs more than any other generation.

McLaughlin explains that millennials who are in their mid-twenties right now do tend to change jobs frequently – but it’s not because they’re millennials seeking some utopian workplace. “What we’re seeing isn’t a millennial problem – it’s a mid-twenties problem. We see that all generations change jobs or even careers in their twenties,” she says. “It’s a natural age to make big changes. We need to understand and respond to that rather than paint a broad picture about a generation and their loyalty to employers.”

2. Myth: Massive numbers of retirees are going to disrupt the workforce.

Some regions and industries are facing more retirements than new employees, but certainly not all. Rust Belt cities like Pittsburgh and Cleveland generally predict more aging workers in the future, and are taking steps to attract younger workers who can help balance the population and prevent a widespread worker shortage before it happens, McLaughlin says.

“The first thing employers have to do is understand what your workforce looks like over time, learn the patterns, then adjust accordingly,” she says. “At PNC, our data says our age mix between 20 and 70 has been relatively stable over time. We have the same percentage of people over 40 as we did 10 years ago, so I don’t see this as an across-the-board issue that every single company or industry is destined to face.”

3. Myth: Automation will lead to massive layoffs.

The future of work involves automating systems, and it’s already begun. “For many companies, this isn't having a huge impact on the size and scope of their workforce. In the short term, most companies won’t see automation drastically reduce the number of jobs,” McLaughlin says.

When automation does become a core part of a company’s work, most, including PNC, are finding ways to use workers differently. McLaughlin says, for example, people might no longer build spreadsheets but instead review and analyze spreadsheets created through automation. “The thinking is that we can take the people we have, help train them to use their skills differently and prepare them to do the work of the future.”

4. Myth: There’s no such thing as an entry-level role anymore.

Most young job seekers will tell you how hard it can be to find a job with little experience, but that’s beginning to change. Many companies are catching on to the importance of internships for college students. Not only do internships give students the opportunity to learn job-specific skills, but they also allow companies to review their performance and consider them for future jobs.

“Every data point I have tells me to hire more interns,” McLaughlin says. “The interns we hire into full-time roles are more likely to perform well and advance in their careers more quickly than any other type of employee.”

On top of that, companies are finding they need to fill more and more entry-level roles. Some are creating training programs to help people develop the skills they need to fill those roles. PNC worked with other large companies to develop PartnerUp, a program that helps high school students learn about entry-level roles that have opportunities for growth and development. “We want young people to understand that there are great career opportunities at these employers. They just need to know where to look, so we’re helping with that” McLaughlin says.

Learn more about talent at PNC »

Tweet me:Four Myths about the Workforce, Myth: Millennials change jobs more than any other generation. http://bit.ly/2AOVNs7 via @PNCBank

by Federica Rabiolo, Global Impact, EMEA

SOURCE:eBay

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Just two short months ago local Wolverhampton businesses joined eBay for the first UK Retail Revival training event at the iconic Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton. Today, the 64 businesses participating in the program have reached £1M in sales on eBay, representing a 41% increase in sales for these businesses.

“As a business involved in the eBay Retail Revival program, the program has made a difference to our sales,” says Jamie Morgan, who works for Alliance Blinds. “Just goes to show that ecommerce and physical shops can run hand in hand and be a viable business model.”

The increase in sales and overall success the businesses have experienced bucks many of the woes faced by retailers across the UK in the face of reduced consumer confidence and increased economic uncertainty. The new figures cap off a huge year for eBay’s global Retail Revival scheme, which has seen eBay partnered with the cities of Akron, Ohio (US), Lansing, Michigan (US) and Wolverhampton, UK. Overall the program has seen 220 sellers take part globally, generating over 80,000 transactions to date - with roughly 10% involving cross border sales.

Another business who has benefitted in Wolverhampton is Toolsave, which sells products for home and garden improvements. Founder Fred Evans, whose brother David is also enrolled on the program, said: “Since enrolling on the Retail Revival program, there has been a noticeable buzz around Wolverhampton. I’ve known about eBay for years, and Retail Revival came at exactly the right time for my business. We have a great team at eBay who give us all the support we need and with their help, we think it’s realistic that we could double – or even triple – our turnover next year.”

Rob Hattrell, Vice President of eBay UK, said: “Last year was tough for UK retailers, but our partnership with entrepreneurs in Wolverhampton shows that British brands have a bright future. Small businesses have the creativity and entrepreneurial skill to create products needed and wanted all over the world – and eBay is helping them to sell in the way they want to online.

“I’m really proud to see the progress these businesses have made in reaching the £1 million milestone so quickly. Now is the time to empower them more – and over the course of 2019 we will work with Wolverhampton to do just that. I want the success of the West Midlands to act as a beacon to the retail sector up and down the country.”

eBay will continue providing support and training to Wolverhampton businesses through November 2019.

For more information on Retail Revival and the Wolverhampton program visit ebayinc.com/retailrevival

Tweet me:Three months after the @eBay #RetailRevival partnership with the City of Wolverhampton was announced, businesses like Toolsave have hit major sales milestone. #ecommerce http://bit.ly/2SWJBN8 @eBayNewsroom

KEYWORDS: Wolverhampton, City of Wolverhampton, Federica Rabiolo Global Impact EMEA, NASDAQ: EBAY, UK Retail Revival Program, eBay, eBay Retail Revival program, Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, Jamie Morgan Alliance Blinds, Toolsave, Fred Evans Toolsave, Rob Hattrell Vice President eBay UK