News Releases from Region 06

TOMORROW: USEPA Administrator and Dallas Mayor Dedicate Water Efficient Classroom and Student Garden

DALLAS - (April 8, 2015) Dallas Independent School District, Toyota North America and the Wyland Foundation are teaming up with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a ground breaking event to celebrate sustainability at Cochran Elementary School. On Thursday, April 9, 2015, the group will join Toro Company, Texas Land Care, WaterSmart Software, Bytelaunch and the National League of Cities to dedicate the outdoor classroom and student garden.

The project demonstrates how simple, inexpensive changes can beautify a landscape with minimal water usage. The project also uses native Texas trees, plants, grass, decomposed granite pathways, low-cost water efficient irrigation and weather sensors.

In 2014, the city of Dallas, led by Mayor Mike Rawlings, won the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, a community service initiative to promote smart water use in the U.S. As part of the prize organizers donated the water efficient makeover to Dallas the winning city. The challenge encouraged businesses, families and students to rethink how they use water by making a series of simple action pledges online at www.mywaterpledge.com.

WHO: U.S. EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy
Dallas Mayor, Mike Rawlings
DISD Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Desiree Arias
Toyota Chief Environmental Officer, Kevin Butt
Artist and Conservationist, Robert Wyland

WHEN: Thursday, April 9, 2015
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CST

WHERE: Nancy J. Cochran Elementary

6000 Keeneland Parkway

Dallas, Texas

Media wishing to attend should RSVP to 214-665-2200 or email r6press@epa.gov.

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm