Take Pride Statewide – The Conference for Litter Prevention

Presented by Auntie Litter, Inc.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED,
COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT ALABAMA HONORED AT
AUNTIE LITTER'S 2010 TAKE PRIDE STATEWIDE CONFERENCE

Birmingham, AL- The Aldridge Botanical Gardens and Guntersville High School students were two of the nine recipients honored at Auntie Litter's 2010 Take Pride Statewide Conference in Birmingham on August 18-19 for litter prevention and conservation efforts. Their programs were recognized for integrating the values of the Take Pride Statewide Campaign through litter prevention education, waste reduction and recycling.

To kick off the anticipated Keynote Session, Governor Bob Riley addressed conference attendees via video applauding Auntie Litter, Inc. for its efforts in promoting a clean and healthy Alabama (to view, visit www.TakePrideStatewide.org). Executive Director and Founder, Pat Mitchell, then introduced Keynote Speakers Dr. Robert Bentley and Commissioner Ron Sparks, giving each a call to action to address waste reduction, increased funding towards litter-prevention education and recycling, the future of the Forever Wild program, options for mass transit, and the water dispute. Each candidate delivered motivational speeches addressing the issues and encouraged each attendee to continue the push to protect Alabama's natural environment. Following the presentation, Program Director Julie Wade presented nine communities in Alabama the 2010 Take Pride Statewide Awards in the following categories: Litter Prevention Education Program for Children, Special Event Program for Litter Prevention and Community-wide Program for Litter Prevention.

Auntie Litter, Inc. also awarded the William R. Ireland, Sr. Make a Difference Award in memory of the late Mr. William R. Ireland, Sr., who helped the Auntie Litter program grow from a one-woman campaign to a national award-winning nonprofit organization providing environmental education programs to thousands of children throughout Alabama. Mr. Ireland believed in improving the quality of life for Alabamians and protecting our environment through education. Based on these ideals, the organization established the award in 2009. This year, the honor went to Vestavia Hills resident, Julie Danley, for her outstanding contributions to environmental education and awareness. This prestigious award was presented by Executive Director and Founder of Auntie Litter, Inc., Pat Mitchell, and John Ireland, a son of William Ireland, Sr.

Along with Dr. Bentley and Commissioner Sparks as the Keynote Speakers, conference presenters included Griffin Lassiter, Senior Project Manager with City of Birmingham, Elise Warren, founder of Technical Knock Out, Eric Kolb, Municipal Marketing Manager for Allied Waste, L'Tryce Slade, founder of Slade Land Use, Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos, David Johnson, Market Manager for Wal-Mart, Danny Patterson, President of the WRATT Foundation, Roald Hazelhoff, Executive Director of the Southern Environmental Center, Binnie Myles, Communications Manager for the Birmingham Water Works Board, PR Consultant James Sutton, FOX6 Good Day Alabama Co-anchor, Rick Journey, David Griner, Social Media Strategist for Luckie & Company, and Julie Levinson-Gabis, Senior Account Executive for al.com.

Conference workshops focused on litter-prevention education and related environmental issues that affect communities statewide. Participants learned strategies from presenters such as how to determine sources of funding, as well as how to develop a network for idea sharing and problem solving. At the close of the conference, attendees received thousands of educational and campaign materials to implement environmental efforts in their respective communities.

Registered attendees from 120 cities represent their communities on beautification and recycling boards, as educators, government officials, environmental organizations, business and industry representatives, association and civic leaders, and concerned individuals.

2010 Take Pride Statewide Award Winners

Best Program for Children
1st Place - Aldridge Botanical Gardens
2nd Place - Guntersville High School
3rd Place - Keep Phenix City Beautiful, Inc.

Best Special Event
1st Place - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful
2nd Place - Tallassee Chamber of Commerce
3rd Place - City of Tuscaloosa

Best Community-wide Program
1st Place - Southern Environmental Center
2nd Place - Green Resource Center for Alabama
3rd Place - City if Anniston

2010 Take Pride Statewide Sponsors

The William R. Ireland, Sr. Family, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, The Susan Mott Webb Foundation, Alabama Power Foundation, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, The Daniel Foundation, Alabama Beverage Association, Legacy, Inc. Partners in Environmental Education, Publix Super Market Charities, al.com, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Alabama Cooperative Extension Service and Samford University.

For media inquiries or more information, contact Auntie Litter, Inc. at 205-879-3009 or e-mail LaShanna R. Tripp at LTripp@AuntieLitter.org.

Happy 20th Anniversary Auntie Litter!

Auntie Litter, Inc. is proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary. A national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Birmingham, AL, Auntie Litter, Inc. is dedicated to promoting a clean and healthy environment. Founded in 1990, the organization has been honored with numerous awards for its innovative educational programs based on the anti-litter character, "Auntie Litter." Through live presentations, educational workshops, and comprehensive teaching strategies and tools, young people, their families, and educators learn how to conserve our natural resources, eliminate litter in our communities, and become good stewards of the environment. Its efforts have been featured on nationally-televised shows such as CNN Headline News and ABC's Good Morning America.