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Gas News Release
May 22, 1999
New Nature Trail Dedicated at Rachel Carson Homestead
Trail made possible by grant from Peoples Plus
SPRINGDALE, PA.-- A new nature trail designed to educate
and instill in others the spirit of Rachel Carson's dedication to environmental
stewardship was dedicated here today at the Rachel Carson Homestead.
Officials of the Rachel Carson Homestead Association, Allegheny
Valley School District and Peoples Plus, a Pittsburgh-based non-utility energy
marketer, officiated at the event. The trail traverses properties that were
once part of Ms. Carson's family farm and now are owned by the non-profit association
and the school district. Trail development and signage were made possible through
a $5,000 grant from Peoples Plus. State Representative Terry Van Horne (D-Arnold)
was also in attendance and read from House Resolution 148, declaring "Rachel
Carson Day" in Pennsylvania.
The quarter-mile-long "Wild Creatures Nature Trail"
has seven stations. At each station, an informative sign teaches a nature lesson
and describes what a young Rachel might have experienced. As a young girl, Ms.
Carson roamed the same grounds as she developed her love of the outdoors and
her philosophy that sound environmental stewardship springs from environmental
awareness.
The dedication occurred on the 10th annual "Rachel Carson
Day," which was also sponsored by Peoples Plus. In addition to the trail
dedication, a variety of events were held to celebrate Ms. Carson's birthday
as well as her work as one of the most influential people of the 20th Century.
Among Ms. Carson's works was "Silent Spring," the 1962 best-selling
book that awoke the world to the need to protect and preserve the environment.
"Rachel Carson began her lifelong wonder and fascination
of the natural world through her childhood excursions on these very grounds,"
said Mark Tomlinson, executive director of the Rachel Carson Homestead Association.
"Even at an early age, Rachel made detailed observations about nature that
formed the basis of her later work. We hope that this trail has the same lasting,
positive impact on the people who enjoy it today."
Mr. Tomlinson also thanked the Allegheny Valley School District
and Peoples Plus. "Without the cooperation and foresight of these two organizations,
this project could never become a reality," he said. "They are to
be commended for their valuable contributions to the community."
As part of the dedication ceremony, the joyful adventuring
of a teen-age Rachel and her dog, Pal, were recreated. A girl dressed in 1920s
attire read from one of Ms. Carson's earliest published works, "My Favorite
Recreation." The short story - printed in 1922 in the youth magazine St.
Nicholas - details a day-long "bird's-nesting" that a 14-year-old
Rachel and her dog conducted on what was then the family farm.
Philip E. Riley, Jr., senior vice president and general manager
of Peoples Plus, said his company is proud to help such a worthwhile project.
"As a part of Pittsburgh-based Consolidated Natural
Gas Company, we at Peoples Plus share a long history of environmental stewardship,"
Mr. Riley said. "We believe the Wild Creatures Nature Trail at the Rachel
Carson Homestead will be a valuable addition to the betterment and education
of Western Pennsylvanians for generations to come."
Peoples Plus provides competitively priced natural gas, electricity,
and related products and services to more than 150,000 residential and small-business
customers in western Pennsylvania. The donations for the trail work and sponsorship
of Rachel Carson Day were arranged by Peoples Plus through the Consolidated
Natural Gas Company Foundation, which is dedicated to the improvement of the
economic, physical and social health of the communities served by the CNG companies.
The Rachel Carson Homestead, located at 613 Marion Avenue
in Springdale, is Ms. Carson's modest birthplace and childhood home. Ms. Carson's
childhood in southwestern Pennsylvania nurtured a love and respect for nature
and natural things which would guide her the rest of her life. "Silent
Spring" warned of the dangers of indiscriminate pesticide use, and is credited
with sparking the modern environmental movement.
Guided tours of the house and grounds are offered year-round
on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Regular
museum admission is $4.00 for adults and $2.50 for children. Senior citizen
and group discounts are available. School field trips, scout badge programs,
public outreach programs and historical talks are also available by reservation.
Free family "Science on Saturdays" nature programs are offered on
the third Saturday of the month.
For more information about the Rachel Carson Homestead, call
724-274-5459, or visit the homestead's Web site at www.rachelcarson.org.
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For further information contact:
Dan Donovan
412-690-1370
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