WHAT: An opportunity to meet Green Tree Academy students—who are at-risk adults between the ages of 18 and 24---and shadow them as they learn about tree removal and work with removal equipment. Media can expect great visuals and audio of Academy students and will have the opportunity for one-on-one interviews with Comptroller Darlene Green; AmerenUE representatives; Academy students; and other partners.
WHO: St. Louis City Comptroller Darlene Green; AmerenUE Manager of Community Relations Otie Cowan; Representatives from the City of St. Louis Forestry Division; Academy students
WHEN: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 – 10 a.m.
WHERE: 6700 Block of Fyler, in south St. Louis.
Background: The academy is a job training program created by Comptroller Green to provide training, internships, job placement assistance and college enrollment opportunities to inner city adults interested in arboriculture (tree care). Classes last for 10 weeks and include classroom, field and life skills training. The classroom and field training is taught by certified arborists with decades of experience in their field. AmerenUE is involved by helping students observe tree trimming professionals and gain a greater understanding of the importance of planting the Right Tree in the Right Place to improve reliability by avoiding power outages due to trees growing into power lines. St. Louis Community College supplies life skills instructors for the program. For more information, visit http://www.stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/comptroller/greentreeacademy.html.
Partners: The St. Louis Comptroller’s Office, the St. Louis Forestry Department, St. Louis Community College, Living Tree Care, Inc., Forestry Consultant Services and AmerenUE
CONTACT: Lori Light, 314.554.2681, or Susan Gallagher, 314.554.2175, both of AmerenUE