February 15, 2005

Dear Westchester High School Teachers:

The Federated Conservationists of Westchester County would like to inform you of
our extracurricular environmental education program created for and with high school
students, and aptly named the Westchester Environmental Student Council (WESC).
We are contacting teachers to help us encourage more students to participate, and
take advantage of the educational resources and experiences we offer. Below is a
schedule of upcoming programs organized by WESC.

As you may be aware, WESC focuses on environmental stewardship projects, education,
and advocacy. It offers a rich experience for students to get out in the real world
and learn valuable skills (see, e.g., air quality initiative below); enjoy the natural
world; and make friends outside their school settings. For more information on
WESC, please visit www.FCWC.org and go to the WESC page where you can also sign
up for weekly email bulletins from our list serve. The bulletins include relevant
scholarship, internship, and other learning opportunities for high school students,
as well as information about our programs.

The February and March programs are fast upon us. Any encouragement from you to
the students this week to attend these programs would be most appreciated.

When: February 17, 4 PM, or February 18, 4 PM, Where: At the FCWC office in the
E House, Pace University of Law, North Broadway, White Plains. What: Briefing/Planning
initiative for March 2 press conference. Students invited to attend either of two
briefing sessions re WESC led initiative for better air quality on school grounds.
(The building is behind the student center and has a boat on the lawn in front of
it).

When: March 2, 3:30 PM, Where: Steps of Michaelian Office Building, Court St. and
Martine Ave, White Plains. What: Press conference announcing WESC led initiative
to promote healthier air quality around our schools based on the recently released
Healthy Air Action Plan for Westchester. (See American Lung Association of NY State’s
website alanys.org).

When: March 12, 1-4 PM, Where: Westchester County Center, White Plains,. What: Pre-Earth
Day Summit Student reps from Westchester’s high schools will open with brief summaries
of their environmental-related activities and accomplishments of the school year
to date. Breakout sessions will follow to give background on the issues we will
lobby our legislators about on WESC Lobby Day in Albany. Guest speakers will discuss:
a) leading a successful regional campaign for the environment at the local level
b) how a successful campaign to institute air quality protection on school grounds
was recently achieved in the Port Washington School District.

When: April 12, 8am- 4pm Where: Albany, NY. What: WESC Albany Lobby Day, WESC students
will meet with their local Assemblymen and State Senators, and discuss environmental
issues important to them. This is our own Earth Day Lobby Day. Beforehand, we
will also meet with leaders of statewide environmental organizations who will coach
students for meetings with legislators. Tour of legislative chambers is also scheduled.

May and June programs will be finalized soon.

If you have any questions about the programs, please email me at riverliffey@earthlink.net,
or call me at (914) 666-3047. We would also very much appreciate any teacher chaperones
for the trip to Albany.

Sincerely,

Heather Baker-Sullivan

DIRECTIONS TO BRIEFING/PLANNING Meetings

By Auto From I-287. (Cross Westchester Expressway.) If traveling east, take Exit
6 and turn right at the light onto North Broadway (South 22). Proceed to the fifth
light and turn left onto campus. Bear left at the guard booth, down hill, and turn
left into first parking lot. The E House is on your left, up on a hill, with a
boat in a bush. Go in through the door on the right, make a right down the hall.
The conference room is at the end of the hall on your left.

If traveling west, take Exit 6 and turn left at exit light. Turn left at next light
onto North Broadway and proceed to sixth light. Turn left onto campus, left at the
guard booth, down hill, turn left into first parking lot. The E House is on your
left, up on a hill, with a boat in a bush. Go in through the door on the right,
make a right down the hall. The conference room is at the end of the hall on your
left.