USGBC’s Green Apple Bike Tour Rides from Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA, Hosting Local Green School Service Projects along the Way

Washington, D.C. – November 15, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Yesterday, nine USGBC Students and Emerging Professionals from across the U.S. joined the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) on an eight day bike tour to USGBC’s annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in Philadelphia.

Inspired by last year’s cross-country bus tour to San Francisco, the Green Apple Bike Tour will be making three stops at local schools between Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia to educate students on the importance of sustainability and provide hands-on help through service projects. The bike tour serves as an environment for college students and professionals to work together with K-12 and higher education communities toward sustainable changes that make a difference. Green Apple Bike Tour participants will then volunteer at Greenbuild, continuing their service at an international level.

“The bike tour is the perfect opportunity to bring students and young professionals together through our mission of green schools for all within this generation,” said Pat Lane, Green Apple manager at USGBC. “We want to show the world that where our students learn matters, and projects like the ones we’re doing on this bike tour are exactly the way we can make meaningful and lasting impact.”

Projects include:

• Winterizing Center City Public Charter School public garden in Washington, D.C., and building a living wall out of recycled plastic bottles the school has been collecting.
• A roundtable discussion at GW Carver High School, a STEM public school in Washington, D.C., about the importance of waste management
• A grounds cleanup of Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, PA
• A LEED Gold plaque ceremony for Bridesburg Elementary School in Philadelphia, PA

“I’m going on this trip because I want to support USGBC’s mission. I have and will dedicate my career to improving the sustainability of our communities and solving the environmental challenges we all face,” said Meg Cronin, an Emerging Professional and bike tour participant. “No progress is made on these fronts without informed, motivated and engaged communities as well as individuals.”

Now in its second year, the Green Apple bike tour aims to transform all schools into healthy, safe, cost-efficient and productive learning places where students have clean and healthy air to breathe, where energy and resources are conserved, and where they can be inspired to dream of a brighter future.

To learn more on the Green Apple Bike Tour, visit us online at mygreenapple.org/bikegreenapple. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching #bikegreenapple.

### 

About the Center for Green Schools at USGBC

The Center for Green Schools at the U.S Green Building Council is making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. From kindergarten to college and beyond, the Center for Green Schools works directly with staff, teachers, faculty, students, administrators, elected officials and communities to drive the transformation of all schools into sustainable places to live and learn, work and play. For more information, visit centerforgreenschools.orgor find us on Twitter and Facebook.

About Green Apple

Green Apple is an initiative of the Center for Green schools at the U.S Green Building Council to put all children in schools where they have clean and healthy air to breathe, where energy and resources are conserved, and where they can be inspired to dream of a brighter future. Green Apple gives individuals, companies and organizations the opportunity to transform all our schools into healthy, safe, cost-efficient and productive learning places, and is powered by volunteers who participate in community-based efforts; promoted by media partners, like-minded NGOs and high-profile ambassadors; and funded by corporate partners. For more information, visit mygreenapple.org and use the Twitter hashtag #greenapple.

About Greenbuild International Conference & Expo

The Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, presented by the U.S. Green Building Council and owned and produced by Hanley Wood, convenes the industry’s largest gathering of representatives from all sectors of the green building movement. The 2013 show will be held Nov. 20-22 in Philadelphia. Three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample networking events provide unrivaled opportunities to learn about the latest technological innovations, explore new products and exchange ideas with other professionals. Greenbuild is also a three-time recipient of IMEX Green Meetings Award. For more information, visit greenbuildexpo.org and follow us on Twitter @Greenbuild and Facebook at facebook.com/Greenbuild.

Contact:
Mallory Shelter
Communications Specialist U.S. Green Building Council