FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2001
Organizations Pool Talents for the Environment
(COLUMBIA)--In an effort to better preserve, conserve and protect the environment in South Carolina, several federal and state agencies and organizations have united and will launch a public awareness campaign this spring.
To kick off their efforts, the group, called the Agriculture and Natural Resources Communicators for the Environment (ANRCE), is developing an S.C. Educational Television program entitled "Pass It On Down: Protecting South Carolina’s Special Places." The hour-long program, which will coincide with Earth Day observances, is set to air statewide April 20th at 9 p.m.
Staff from the organizations and agencies will also address environmental issues on Educational Radio’s "Your Day" program in April. In addition, the Department of Agriculture also is coordinating newspaper inserts for Farm Appreciation Week this spring that will address farm-related environmental issues.
"This is an important step for our agencies to combine our talents and resources to address common areas of concern for South Carolina," said Neil Ogg, director of Clemson University’s regulatory and public service programs. "We hope to have a significant impact on the public’s awareness of environmental issues."
Participating along with Clemson University in the project are the S.C. Department of Agriculture, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, the S.C. Forestry Commission, the South Carolina Farm Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development, and National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The focus of ANRCE will include many broad-based topics, each with its own significance to the health and well being of South Carolina’s citizens. Subjects to be addressed include:
Loss of wildlife and habitat protection
· Responsible pesticide use and monitoring
· Production management practices
· Biotech research
· The farmer’s role in environmental preservation
· Quality of life improvements for rural residents
· Increased awareness of invasive species
· Water quality protection
For more information on the ANRCE committee and its contributing agencies, please contact Don Munson at (864) 656-4741.