Earth Day Dallas, Inc. (EDD) has a very special relationship with DISD. It started years ago through Environmentalist and Earth Day Dallas Founder, Trammell S. Crow.  Crow’s love for education and persistence has created a wonderful partnership between EDD and DISD. 

In April 2011, EDD hosted the second largest Earth Day celebration in the country. On the first day of the event 10,000 DISD students were given the opportunity to experience a festival unlike any other. The festival provided the students with a forum to learn the importance of the environment and how their actions can make a difference. 

EDD supplied 100 buses for the DISD students to be transported from school to the festival. The 10,000 students in attendance ranged in age from elementary to high school and were accompanied by teachers and chaperones. 

During the event students were given the opportunity to experience an outdoor, eco-friendly, educational festival with interactive exhibits and live entertainment. Popular stops for all ages were the Dallas Zoo and The Texas Honey Bee Guild.  The younger children were interested in the arts and crafts provided by the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center.

As EDD prepares for its 2012 festival in Fair Park, EDD’s ties remain close with DISD as the District launches new math and science campaigns for its 240 schools. 

Over the past several months EDD and DISD have worked together to create the launch for the DISD’s African American Female Success Initiative (AAFSI). The AAFSI is a mentor program from African American DISD girls; grades 4 – 9, to further interest them into math and science. In 2010, the African American Male Taskforce was conceived and has proven to be successful. Therefore, the need has arisen for women to lead young women towards math and science career paths. 

The program will be an outlet for additional education, personal development and community service. It will be put into affect at all DISD schools, and will have a teacher advocate coordinate the program on-site. 

The launch will take place on Saturday, October 29, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at TBAAL in downtown Dallas. At this time 1,500 girls are registered to be present at the launch. They will be attending with their campus advocate or parent. EDD has sponsored the venue and coordinated t-shirts for the girls. 

The AAFSI program will help young women see the different career paths available and enable discussion for future planning at a younger age. With education being the prime focus of EDD, it hopes to continue to support and promote DISD through alternative educational efforts. Stay tuned for future announcements about the EDD and DISD partnership.