ACES Expands Full-Time In-School Environmental Science Program at Crystal River Elementary School

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Press Release: Aspen, Colorado, August 22, 2013 — Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) and Crystal River Elementary School (CRES) have partnered to bring full-time, in-school environmental science education programming to all CRES students, kindergarten through fourth grade, when classes resume on August 26.

Principle Heather Cremeans, new this year to CRES, is pleased to fulfill teacher and parent requests to have ACES’ full-time environmental science at their Carbondale elementary school. CRES students will now attend a weekly, one-hour science class as one of their “specials.” The full-time CRES program will also include 2-3 field trips per year to ACES’ Rock Bottom Ranch and Hallam Lake sites, or Aspen Mountain.

Just last year, ACES expanded their nationally acclaimed science program to Basalt Elementary School (BES), providing a five-fold increase in environmental science programming at BES. ACES has provided full-time, curriculum-integrated science education at Aspen Elementary School for 36 years and provides environmental science education programs and field trips for over 42 schools in the region.

According to Crystal River Elementary School principal Heather Cremeans, “Having ACES full time at CRES was the unanimous goal for staff, administrators, parents, and students! We are thrilled to move forward with this collaboration and look forward to seeing the impact it has on the students at CRES.”

ACES CEO, Chris Lane said, “Research has proven that students engaged in environmental science education develop increased enthusiasm for learning and improved performance on standardized tests. Access to nature contributes to the health and well-being of young people in our community and helps to form a foundation for the development of responsible environmental behavior.”

Whole Foods Market Roaring Fork will once again help support ACES’ Children’s Education Fund, which funds all of ACES’ environmental science programming. Sarah Innerarity, Marketing Director of Whole Foods Market Roaring Fork, “Whole Foods Market is proud to support local non-profit organizations through our Community Giving Days. On Wednesday August 28th we will donate 5% of our store sales to ACES and their Children’s Education Fund. This program provides environmental education to children throughout the Valley, which aligns with Whole Foods Market’s core value of caring about our communities & our environment. We are proud to partner with ACES and hope to see valley citizens in the store on August 28th to support this valuable program!”

ACES still needs additional donations to complete the funding for the 2013-2014 school year programs at Crystal River Elementary and Basalt Elementary School and is seeking major supporters for subsequent years. Interested donors can contact Chris Lane at ACES or email clane@aspennature.org. All community members and businesses can participate in supporting these educational programs by making a donation online at www.aspennature.org.

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is a non-profit environmental science education organization with four sites in the Roaring Fork Valley. This summer, ACES celebrates its 45th year of service to the community, working to promote ecological literacy by building a community of knowledgeable, capable and motivated environmental stewards.

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