U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
95/APRIL:  EARTH DAY 25 -- SERVICE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 



                     SERVICE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
             AN EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE BEGINNING EARTH DAY 25


Summary

In honor of the 25th anniversary of Earth Day and annually, dedicate the 
period from Earth Day 25 (April 22) to World Environment Day '95 (June 
5) to "Service for the Environment" involving schools worldwide and 
engaging young people in the spirit of environmental involvement.  
Encourage ongoing learning, service and sharing via an Internet 
connection called "GreenServe" and with educational materials. 
 
When 
	Begin with the period from Earth Day (April 22) to World 
Environment Day (June 5) as a special annual season for environmental 
service.  Foster ongoing efforts to serve the environment all year 
round.         
 
Participants 
	Primary, secondary and college level schools overseas that are 
affiliated with U.S. public and private institutions (DOD & State 
overseas schools, GLOBE schools, Peace Corps assisted schools, etc.), 
overseas international and local schools, voluntary youth and 
environmental organizations abroad with ties to American NGOs (e.g. 
Sister Cities, EarthWatch, National Geographic Society...), also schools 
and groups in the U.S. that want to participate. 
 
Format 
	(1)To foster global environmental involvement and awareness among 
young people, schools and youth groups are encouraged to engage in 
environmental service (from Earth Day to World Environment Day and 
ongoing) with projects of their choosing - such as the clean-up of 
special urban areas, parks or beaches, tree planting on community 
grounds, developing a local recycling program, or an outdoor 
environmental science project or contest. 
	 
	(2)Then schools and groups record their experiences and share 
lessons learned and ideas for service via "GreenServe" Internet, 
fostering distance learning about global environmental activity.  To 
participate in the Internet discussion group, send an Internet E-mail 
message to: "majordomo@econet.apc.org" and in the text of the message 
type: "subscribe greenserve". The initial phase of Internet interactions 
should occur by June 12, 1995. 
	 
	(3)In addition to the GreenServe Internet, link together via media 
coverage students internationally and in the U.S. that  participate in 
Service for the Environment to enable public awareness of their efforts. 
 
 
Facilitators 
Department of State, Peace Corps, AID, USIA, DOD, USDA Global Change 
Program, Department of Education, GLOBE, Americorps/Vista, Campus Green 
Vote, National Geographic Society, EarthWatch, The National 
Environmental Education & Training Foundation, Center for Environmental 
Citizenship, Center for Environmental Education, Sister Cities, others. 
 
	Responding to the new era of international cooperation and public 
participation,  where global communication is possible at the touch of a 
computer keyboard, the Department of State is committed to working with  
young people at home and abroad on the great challenges and 
opportunities we now face.  Among these, are a host of environmental 
issues that increasingly are engaging the imaginations and concerns of 
young people.    Linking our desire for outreach and our concern for the 
environment, the U.S. State Department and non-governmental 
organizations have begun a global educational initiative known as 
"Service for the Environment."  
 
	The goal is to help schools and youth groups around the world as 
they organize environmental service efforts throughout the school year, 
particularly during the special period from Earth Day (April 22) to 
World Environment Day (June 5).   "Service for the Environment" will 
help young people look for ways to work together with their communities 
in hands-on projects such as planting trees, or cleaning up streams. 
 
	An Internet system called GreenServe has been established to 
enable schools and youth groups participating in environmental service 
initiatives to share experiences and exchange ideas.  GreenServe will 
facilitate distance learning and awareness of the global environment. 
 
	 It is our hope that through service and the exchange of creative 
ideas, young people will learn more about the Earth's ecological systems 
and environment, and gain an appreciation for the rewards of civic 
involvement and responsibility.  After all, Earth Day is fundamentally 
about preserving the environment we pass on to future generations.  
Working together, children and adults, the public and private sectors, 
communities and states, we can demonstrate our commitment to the Earth's 
environment, as well as our ability to protect and preserve it.    
						 
						Timothy E. Wirth 
						Under Secretary for Global Affairs 
						Department of State