Press Release

Simi Valley, CA, May 8, 2009 - In celebration of Earth Day, Waste Management and Wolf Den 5 from Pack 3663 planted historical trees at the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center’s new Pollinator Garden on April 24, 2009.

Pack 3663 is chartered through Simi Covenant Church. Wolf Den 5 was working on a conservation project to fulfill the requirements of earning the World Conservation Award. The five historical trees were planted to honor famous people and events that are an important part of our culture and American history.

Planted historical trees included an Andrew Jackson Southern Magnolia, Dwight D. Eisenhower Green Ash, Clara Barton Redbud, Gettysburg Address Honey Locust and an Elvis Presley Sweetgum.

“Our group took a landfill tour in January and asked if there were any projects the boys could do,” said Shannon Swingle-Gomez, Wolf Den Leader. “We are so grateful for WM including us in their tree planting effort. It’s been a great learning experience for all of us,” Swingle-Gomez said.

The Pollinator Garden, a two-acre outdoor educational arena, will provide the community an opportunity to learn about pollination, five local eco-systems including Chaparral, Woodland, Grassland, Venturian Coastal Sage and Riperian and recycling—it’s right here in our own backyard.

“We really appreciate the Cub Scouts for giving back to the community and the planet,” said Lisa Hemenway, Community Relations Manager for Waste Management. “The scouts had a great time planting trees and getting dirty in the mud.”

In celebration of the event, WM gave each Cub Scout a Certificate of Appreciation and a WM reusable bag filled with goodies. The Pollinator Garden is in the final stages and will be completed by the end of Summer 2009.

Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a “green power” program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website www.keepingventuracountyclean.com.