San Ramon Teacher wins ORCO Construction Supply Earthwatch Fellowship
Earthwatch Institute, Maynard, MA June 1, 2006 - Julie Bitnoff, 9th and 10th grade biology teacher at California High School, part of the San Ramon Valley Unified schools, has been awarded a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to join an Earthwatch Institute research expedition to survey the diversity of wildlife in the Amazonian forests of northeastern Peru.
The project is helping conserve and protect Amazon dolphins, giant river otters, monkeys and birds. Bitnoff's fellowship was sponsored by a grant to Earthwatch from the Livermore, CA-based ORCO Construction Supply, ORCO provides building materials and supplies to residential contractors in California, Nevada and Arizona and will be celebrating it's 50th anniversary in 2007.
Bitnoff will join other Earthwatch volunteers from across the United States, United Kingdom and Australia to live and work aboard a traditional Amazon riverboat. The 'live aboard' boat will allow the team access to remote regions of the Peruvian Amazon. The ongoing wildlife survey is directed by Dr. Richard Bodmer of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, with sponsorship by both Earthwatch Institute and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Bitnoff was a perfect candidate for the prestigious ORCO Earthwatch fellowship. She has already been active within her school in working with students conducting experiments concerning how various environmental factors affect local plant and animal life. Bitnoff has taught at California High School for the past 23 years. In addition she works part-time in the Conservation and Education Department of the Oakland Zoo, where she teaches Behavioral Observation Training to zoo docents and volunteers and coordinates the ChimpanZoo Program for the Jane Goodall Institute."
Robert Flaharty, Chief Financial Officer of ORCO, and himself a veteran Earthwatch volunteer from efforts to save endangered leatherback sea turtles on the island of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, said,
"A teacher's enthusiasm is so contagious. ORCO Construction Supply is pleased to make this grant to a San Ramon teacher, who in turn I'm sure will make dozens of students excited about how science can contribute to wildlife conservation. As a long time San Ramon resident, and parent of a Cal High graduate, I can't think of a better way to support science in the classroom and the global objectives of Earthwatch. My daughter, Elena, and I had such a terrific experience last year that I was compelled to be a more active member of Earthwatch. ORCO and I look forward to additional fellowship grants in the future."
About her upcoming expedition to the remote Peruvian Amazon, Bitnoff commented,
"I am so thrilled to be given this opportunity to realize a dream. Being a member of a research team will challenge me...but I welcome the challenge. Continuing education, lifelong learning is not even a choice anymore. I need it to feel alive."
The international Earthwatch Institute is a world leader in the field of experiential education providing opportunities in the field and online for volunteers to broaden their understanding of sustainability and support conservation research. No prior experience is necessary to join any of hundreds of teams worldwide which need support. Explore www.earthwatch.org or call 800-776-0188 for more information.
Photo copyright Mary Ellen Rowe - may be used to accompany this press release