“Bridgestone Environmental Education Classroom & Habitat” Wins Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award Tennessee recognizes Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations’ Warren County tire plant for environmental education initiative
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 6, 2009) — Students from kindergarten through eighth grade have access to nature trails and a state-of-the-art science classroom, thanks to the Bridgestone Environmental Education Classroom & Habitat (BEECH) at the Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) plant in Warren County, Tenn. And now, those efforts to give students an opportunity for environmental education through hands-on science have been recognized with a Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in the Excellence in Environmental Education and Outreach category.
“We are proud that the classroom and teaching trail help students learn to appreciate the environment, get time outside in nature, and expose them to science concepts that are often included on standardized tests,” said Ron Brooks, Warren County Plant Manager. “We are honored our program was recognized with the Governor’s award, but most of all we are proud to say that in one year our efforts have helped more than 4,000 students, parents and teachers gain a greater appreciation for their environment.”
The Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards program recognizes exemplary voluntary actions in the state of Tennessee that improve or protect the environment and natural resources. Deputy Governor John Morgan joined Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke and Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan recently to present the awards to BATO and 13 other recipients in Tennessee.
Instruction at the BEECH facility takes place on outdoor nature trails and in the advanced hands-on classroom, which is equipped with live and mounted animals to observe. Students who visit the BEECH facility learn about local wildlife, habitats, pollinators, forests, soils, water and the air, as well as important lessons about recycling, conservation and the shared responsibility to protect the environment.
The BEECH facility is part of BATO’s commitment to “One Team, One Planet,” a global environmental initiative of Bridgestone Corporation, Bridgestone Americas and its family of companies.
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.