ACT Recipient of Nature's Path 2009 Envirokidz Giving Back Award
July, 2009
July 15, 2009 - 
The Amazon Conservation Team (ACTTM), whose mission is to work in partnership with indigenous people to protect the rainforest, has announced that it has been named a recipient of Nature's Path Organic Foods' 2009 EnviroKidz Giving Back Award. The Giving Back Program donates money to nonprofit organizations such as ACT that support endangered species, habitat conservation and environmental education for children.
"We are thrilled to be recognized with the 2009 EnviroKidz Giving Back Award," said Dr. Mark J. Plotkin, President of ACT. "The funds support ACT's innovative program that brings indigenous youth and elders together so that environmental and cultural knowledge can be passed on to the next generation, educating indigenous students to become conservation leaders."
As part of ACT's commitment to protecting the rainforest by working in partnership with its indigenous peoples, ACT established a cooperative program with the Surinamese state-sponsored elementary school in the village of Kwamalasamutu. Officially incorporated in the state school curriculum, the project enables the ACT-sponsored traditional school to host approximately 100 children between the ages of 8 and 16 two days a week. The students learn from the village leaders about the use of medicinal plants, traditional handicrafts, and their native culture. The school year ends with excursions, led by community elders, to culturally and ecologically significant sites that aid in the students' traditional education and give them a better understanding of the intrinsic value of their ancient cultures and the fragility of their local environment.
According to Dr. Plotkin, "With the support of Nature's Path, ACT Suriname is able to continue the successful school outings and expand the program to include an additional 80 students from the nearby village of Tepu."
"We are committed to leaving the world a better place than we found it by supporting organizations like Amazon Conservation Team," said Arran Stephens, President and Founder of Nature's Path Organic Foods. "We are extremely proud to be able to give back to this dedicated and hard-working group and are grateful to the consumers who have supported our EnviroKidz line and made this possible."
Nature's Path, North America's number one organic cereal manufacturer, is celebrating the 10- year anniversary of its EnviroKidz Giving Back Award this year. For more information, please visit www.naturespath.com or www.envirokidz.com.
About Nature's Path
Founded in 1985, Nature's Path Organic Foods is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia and employs around 350 people at its four facilities in Canada and the United States. The privately held, family-owned company produces breakfast foods and snacks sold in specialty foods stores and retailers in 40 countries around the world. The company's innovative brands include Nature's Path®, Flax Plus, EnviroKidz®, Weil by Nature's Path TM, and Optimum®. Visit Nature's Path online at www.naturespath.com.