Omaha Will Host UN World Environment Day 2009 in North America

[Leo 9]

Omaha Will Host UN World Environment Day 2009 in North America

OMAHA, Nebraska, April 14, 2009 (ENS) - North American celebrations for World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, will center on Omaha, Nebraska, the United Nations Environment Programme announced Monday.

Businesses, organizations and individuals in Omaha will work with the UNEP Regional Office for North America to schedule a series of events for World Environment Day, as well as activities for the six weeks between Earth Day on 22 April and World Environment Day.

"While UNEP thinks globally, we must act locally by engaging partners from all sectors of society, including cities, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, youth, and the media," said Amy Fraenkel, who directs UNEP's North American Regional Office, based in Washington, DC.

"It is important to bring this message to all parts of the United States, and we are proud to be partnering with the City of Omaha on World Environment Day 2009," Fraenkel said.

Bayer Corporation, UNEP's World Environment Day partner in North America, will sponsor the youth program for World Environment Day, which includes the opening of an exhibition of the International Children's Painting Competition at the Children's Museum and an awards ceremony for ICPC North American winners.

An interactive environmental workshop for Omaha students led by Mae Jemison, a physician and NASA's first African-American female astronaut, will be part of the World Environment Day youth program.


With a population of about 433,000, Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska. (Photo by Ron Reiring)

The Omaha city government is not involved in the World Environment Day celebrations and no statement was issued by Mayor Mike Fahey or any member of the City Council about the selection of Omaha for the role of host.

Instead, Mary Daugherty, a civic volunteer, spearheaded Omaha's selection as a host city.

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http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2009/2009-04-14-092.asp