April 26, 2010, Southold, NY – When William Goins of GoShow Entertainment (www.goshowent.com) was hired to produce a micro-documentary about the work of Group for the East End in 2009, he never expected that it would be the award-winning film it has become today. “You won’t believe it, but Faith in a Seed won the Platinum, Best in Show award in the category of Documentary Short Subject at the Houston International Film Festival on Saturday night,” Mr. Goins phoned to tell Group for the East End President, Bob DeLuca on April 19th, “And it beat out some serious competitors to do it!”

Over 100 films were entered into the Documentary Short Subject category at the Houston International Film Festival, including entries from Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund and Amnesty International. “Competitor entries are comprised of small filmmakers like myself,” said Mr. Goins, “but also producers like National Geographic and the Discovery Channel.” Faith won out against these tough odds at a festival that is 43 years old and one of the most recognized in the world. (See http://www.worldfest.org/)

The film has also been entered into various national and international competitions in the nonprofit and environmental documentary categories, as well as specific categories for music and cinematography. It won a Telly Award for its soundtrack and is now in the running for another Telly in the Nonprofit Documentary category as well. Since 1978, the Telly Awards have honored the best local, regional and cable television programming, as well as the finest video productions created for the Web. (See http://www.tellyawards.com/)

Also look for Faith in the July 9th Long Island International Film Expo, presented by the Long Island Film and TV Foundation, where past festivals have hosted from 50-155 short and feature-length independent films from all over the globe. This star-studded event has attracted the likes of Steve Buscemi and Billy Baldwin, who attended in past years. Whether it wins or not, each time Faith in a Seed is viewed by a festival crowd or a panel of judges, the organization gains valuable exposure outside of Group for the East End’s main service area, eastern Long Island. (See http://liifilmexpo.org/)

“Faith creates such a terrific emotional connection to the natural environment. It raises awareness of environmental issues and proves that local actions to protect nature can have a global impact,” Bob DeLuca noted. To view the film, visit www.youtube.com/groupfortheeastend.

Contact: Kate Schertel
631-765-6450, ext. 208
kschertel@eastendenvironment.org

# # #

MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Kate Schertel
(631) 765-6450, ext. 208
kschertel@eastendenvironment.org

SOUTHOLD CONSERVATION AGENDA TO BE RELEASED MARCH 12th
New Guide Addresses North Fork Environmental Issues Ahead of Comprehensive Plan
    

WHO:

Bob DeLuca, President, Group for the East End
Jeremy Samuelson, Environmental Advocate, Group for the East End
Representatives from the Long Island Community Foundation
Representatives from the Town of Southold
Representatives from local community organizations

WHAT:   

Press conference announcing the release of the Southold Conservation Agenda, a user-friendly, 15-page guide with fold out maps will assist residents, school groups and local government to explore the connections between the natural world, public policy and personal practices. New guide will inform the forthcoming comprehensive planning process in Southold Town and enable residents to be involved.

WHEN:   

Friday, March 12th, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:   

Group for the East End offices, 54895 Route 25 in Southold
(North side of the road, across from the Bridgehampton National Bank)

PHOTOS:   

Enlarged replica maps will be displayed for viewing and reference. Distinguished representatives from Group for the East End, the Long Island Community Foundation, the Town of Southold and local community organizations will speak about the project and its timely release as the Town begins its comprehensive planning process.

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Kate Schertel
(631) 765-6450, ext. 208
kschertel@eastendenvironment.org

88.3FM OPENS THE RADIO AIRWAVES TO GROUP FOR THE EAST END
New Radio Program Will Focus on “Going Green”

Join Group for the East End President Bob DeLuca as host of “Going Green,” a new radio program that explores what each of us can do to live a more environmentally conscious and sustainable life.

The program’s premier episode will air live on Friday, February 12^th at 9:00 a.m. on the East End’s new community-owned radio station, 88.3FM Peconic Public Broadcasting.

During this Friday’s show, Anita Wright and Mariah Bruehl will join Mr. DeLuca for a discussion of the issues, activities and experiences that shape and nurture a lasting environmental ethic, from children to adults.

More...

By Jennifer Skilbred

Did you know that Group for the East End coordinates education and outreach for the Peconic Estuary Program (PEP)? This year, we are disseminating information about the two most recently adopted management plans, working with PEP members to organize the 2010 State of the Bays Conference, and developing many other exciting outreach programs.  

Two Peconic Estuary Program management plans were approved in 2009 -- an updated version of the Habitat Restoration Plan and an Eelgrass Management Plan for the Peconics. The Group has weighed in on the development of both strategies and will continue to ensure that important recommendations move forward.
 
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By Jenn Hartnagel

On October 28th, I testified in opposition to a 128-unit condominium project known as Northwind Village.  The project is proposed for a 17-acre parcel of land located in the Town of Southold on Route 48, just east of Chapel Lane near Greenport.
 
The most reported and distinctive feature of the application is a request to incorporate the parcel into the Village of Greenport. Both Southold Town and Greenport Village must approve this annexation. If either municipality denies the request, the project as proposed will not be approved.

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By Anita Wright

To think that many of the East Hampton 5th graders, who participated in the first SEALS (Science Encompasses All Life & Systems) program thirteen years ago, have already graduated from college makes my head spin a little.   When I began at the Group in 1998, the SEALS program was already in full swing and being expanded to the sixth grade as the OWLS (Outdoors While Learning Science) program. Over the years, Group educators have had the opportunity to work closely with 5th grade teachers, John Ryan and Linda Cameron, and sixth grade teacher Brian Smith to design classroom lessons and field excursions that connect students to our natural world and inspire a conservation ethic.
 
This fall, the entire 5th grade team moved from the Middle School to their new wing at the John Marshall Elementary School. During the first SEALS classroom lesson in October, students acted as taxonomists and classified specimens of local animals (turtle shells, bird mounts, skulls and seashells as well as spider, ant and beetle specimens in collection jars) into groups according to common traits. 
 
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By Kate Schertel

Over the years, Group for the East End has sponsored and worked with many interns and volunteers. We have found some extremely special and inspiring people along the way, and why not shine the spotlight their way in gratitude? We thank them for their dedication, but also for helping our organization realize its vision to inspire people to embrace a conservation ethic.

As an intern from 2007 through 2008, Katie Magee was involved with almost every aspect of Group for the East End's programs. Her accomplishments ranged from securing an appointment to the Mayor's Greening Task Force in Sag Harbor, to reviewing development projects and providing testimony before governing boards, to securing a full spread of exclusively "eco-friendly" sponsorship items for the goody bag at our annual summer benefit.

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