Posted: April 23, 2008 2 a.m. EDT
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| Two clouded leopard cubs were among the guests of honor in Washington last week. |
Clouded leopard cubs were among the guests of honor last Wednesday on Capitol Hill to help promote environmental education. The purpose of the event was to rally for passage of The No Child Left Inside Act, a new $100-million-a-year initiative to strengthen environmental education programs and reconnect more children with the outdoors.
The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, seeks to authorize $500 million over five years to help states make environmental education a bigger priority in
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| A flamingo flaps its wings during a speech at the event. |
America’s classrooms.
Key backers include the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
In addition to the clouded leopard cubs, other animals featured at the event included alligators, a flamingo and a palm civet — a rare, catlike tree animal. Jackie Marks, a spokeswoman for AZA, said the event was a “great success.”
Reed also attended the event, as well as local school children, animal ambassadors from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and leading environmentalists.
For more information, visit The No Child Left Inside Coalition page on the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s website.