This month's newsletter by: Melissa Eckmann

Spotlight

A concrete-like compacted dirt roadway transformed into a sapling forest of native trees during the Ironwood Festival of the Tucson Audubon Society on May 15th. GSA-USA's locally-based carbon credit program, The Local Trust, provided some muscle and the trees that will store Tucsonan's carbon while providing badly-needed urban habitat for local bird species.

Events

The North Face Endurance Challenge 2010 
For the second year, the Ecoflag flew at The North Face Endurance Challenge at Bear Mountain State Park in New York. May 8-9, volunteers from GSA Fieldstone and GSA New York teamed up to support TNF on their "Journey Towards Sustainability." GSA volunteers diverted recyclable materials to the Ecoflag Recycling Tent and performed other "environmental impact" assignments.

TNF's Endurance Challenge has been named the "Greenest Racing Series" by Trail Runner Magazinebecause of its many environmentally responsible actions, such as promoting reusable sports bottles. We look forward to continuing our support at future events.

New World Record Set at World Environment Day
Global Sports Alliance USA was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 5 to celebrate the 37th annual World Environment Day. Established in 1972, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. Pittsburgh was selected as the North American host city by GSA partner United Nations Environment Programme.

The city hosted a series of events beginning on Earth Day (April 22) and culminating on WED. With thousands of events worldwide, World Environment Day is considered one of the largest environmental events today.

One of the main events organized for WED was Paddle at the Point, where participants set out to create the world's largest flotilla—a free-floating raft of kayaks and canoes held together by hands. The previous record has been 1,104 boats in Inlet, New York. Although the final total is still being tallied, it is estimated that 1,800 boats came together at Pittsburgh's Point State Park! Visit Paddle At The Point's website to view the amazing photos and read more about the event in this National Geographic Traveler article.

GSA Ambassador and New York Team Captain Kevin Trotta represented GSA at the Ecoflag Tent, where Paddle At The Point visitors could learn more about us, WED, and the International Year of Biodiversity, another GSA partner.

Later in the day, Kevin attended Love Your Watershed Day, sponsored by the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association. The event celebrated the successes the association has had in Pittsburgh community of Wilkinsburg. 

Golf Tournament Supports At-Risk Youth
The GSA Ecoflag flew June 5 at the 2010 Birdie for a Kid golf tournament, supporting The Youth Corps of America. This nonprofit operates in southern Arizona and aims to increase resiliency, self-confidence, and life skills in youth residing in stressed neighborhoods.

Funds raised at the tournament will help support TYCOA's successful Survival Wilderness Adventure Training program, which takes at-risk youth into outdoor settings to teach life skills and leadership.

Penfield Little League Goes Green
GSA flew the Ecoflag at Penfield Little League's opening day in New York. The league's “Go Green” project is now in its second year. Prominent signage reminds visitors to recycle, and recycling totes are made readily accessible for participants and fans. Go Penfield!

University of Rochester Recycles Equipment
University of Rochester (UR) is replacing its pool lane lines and thanks to Brenda Mickolichik at UR, the plastic and wire materials will be recycled. A local company called Sunking Recycle will be accepting the materials and removing the metal waste from the lane lines.

GSA Recycling Coordinator Amy Kadrie is leading the way in sustainability at UR. The school always strives to be environmentally conscious with its sports equipment.

Xtreme Bicycling Reduces Environmental Impact
Xtreme Bicycling's annual Elephant Head Mountain Bike Challenge was a great success. On May 1-4, dozens of riders participated in the scenic mountain ride at the Madera Canyon Preserve in the Santa Rita Mountains, just south of Tucson.

Event organizer Oscar Corona is committed to reducing the environmental impact of the Challenge and preserving the local area. His steps included:

• Diligently protecting the natural area and trails from event damage
• Prominently displaying the Ecoflag to remind participants to protect the environment
• Encouraging youth involvement
• Providing recycling arrangements
• Utilizing online registration to reduce paper
• Reducing material consumption by renting and borrowing infrequently used equipment
• Reducing gasoline consumption by organizing carpools and utilizing a shuttle system for riders and their bikes
• Sourcing locally produced food for participants

Congratulations to rider Andrew Meyer for winning a copy of Champions for Change at the event. Next year's plans include a longer ride that will finish at an area resort. Everyone had a great time and a full stomach thanks to homemade food cooked by Corona's mom. 

African Tennis Players Experience Many “Firsts”
They say there is a first time for everything, and the emerging talent from Malezi School in Sadili, Africa, recently experienced a ton of firsts. The GSA Malezi School Team took a trip to the UK and for most travelers, it was the first time on an elevator, first time on an airplane, first trip outside of Africa, first indoor tennis experience, first game on grass, first ride on a train, first time eating pudding, and… you get the point!

Enjoy the team's short report—they look forward to doing it again next year! Check out the tour trip log.

Attention All Cyclists!
On Saturday, November 20, more than 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities will participate in University Medical Center's 28th annual El Tour de Tucson presented by Diamond Ventures. Come join the GSA USA team and ride in one of the top organized rides in the country. GSA is geared up to have several riders on its team this year. For more information contact our El Tour Liaison or download a registration form.

Volunteer Spotlight

For the past two years, GSA Ecoplayer Mary MacFarlane has been the face of GSA that thousands of runners see at The North Face Endurance Challenge at Bear Mountain State Park in New York. GSA has assumed responsibility for managing recyclables at the event. Mary has logged more than 25 volunteer hours as a recycling coordinator and aid station captain. Park officials have been impressed with the event's low environmental impact, and much of the credit goes to Mary and other Ecoplayer volunteers from GSA Fieldstone and GSA New York.

Help us welcome our new volunteers! We're happy to have you aboard!

• Samir C. — El Tour   
• Lynn M. — Bookkeeping
• Melissa E. — News

June Birthdays
Best wishes to Nancy Huff! 

Volunteer Needed – Champions for Change Program
A volunteer is needed to lead our Champions for Change education program. This pilot program, geared toward middle school youth, brings activity, wellness, science, and life skills to the classroom. The volunteer will be involved in the management and administration of program materials, communication with teachers, and coordinating athlete classroom visits. This is an exciting opportunity to get involved with what is set to be a national educational program. Please contact GSA's Volunteer Coordinator for more information.

Eco-Tips

Get Out of Your Car!
As we watch the horrible aftermath of the BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast region, many people are reconsidering their own oil dependence.

Think about the difference we could make if each person committed to an alternate form of transportation at least once a week. Options may include walking, cycling, carpooling, or using public transportation. The benefits are numerous:

• Increasing your physical activity
• Lead a healthier and more active lifestyle
• Reduce pollution
• Help reduce our country's dependence on oil
• Save money on gas and car maintenance
• Increase interaction with your community
• Decrease stress caused by commute traffic
• Save time by using carpooling lanes
• Know you're doing something great for the planet and yourself!

The smallest change can make a huge difference when everyone bands together. Commit to not driving just one day a week, and reap the benefits!

New Partnership

Environmental Education for Cyclists
Race Across America (RAAM) is partnering with GSA USA to bring environmental education and action to their cycling fans. Check out the RAAM website  for information on the organization, and stay tuned for more details on this exciting new partnership.

A no-cost way to raise money for non profits.
Go to www.goodsearch.com and enter Global Sports Alliance USA as your non-profit of choice. Every time you goodsearch instead of using other search engines to surf the web, money goes to GSA (or any other nonprofit you would like to help out). Please ask your friends to do the same. It adds up fast, and is a great way to help non-profits in this difficult economy.