Creating A Greener Future: Conservation Leadership Corps Gives Hands-On Work Experience To 70 Detroit High School Students

DETROIT, July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer just got a little greener for 70 Detroit public high school students participating in the Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC), a summer jobs program created and sponsored by Johnson Controls, Inc. in partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and The Greening of Detroit. In its fourth year in Detroit, the CLC promotes environmental conservation and development of professional leadership and job skills, while students complete fundamental environmental projects in local community parks.

"The Conservation Leadership Corps provides a unique learning opportunity for high school students. During the six-week program we will provide these 70 students with valuable work experience and introduce them to the importance of environmental conservation," said Jennifer Mattes, director, global public affairs for Johnson Controls.

Over the course of the program, which kicks off this week, students will work with 15 crew leaders and focus their efforts at Detroit-area parks, Rouge Park, Belle Isle Park, Brightmoor Chalfonte Farmway and Calimera Park. Student crews will participate in a series of projects, including native planting, new trail development and maintenance, outdoor classroom and native timber bench construction, invasive species removal and garden installation. They also will receive job-readiness skills instruction, including help with resume writing, interview skills and personal finance management.

CLC participants were selected from 350 applicants based on their successful completion of a three-step, two-month tryout process. Student candidates were assessed on work ethic, leadership ability, civic engagement and commitment to the environment.

On August 3, Johnson Controls employees will learn from the students as they volunteer to work in the field alongside the CLC teams at several Detroit-area locations for an environmental learning experience. Activities will include planting, developing and maintaining trails and removing invasive species.

On August 12, the students will participate in a professional development day – hosted by Johnson Controls' Automotive Experience business in Plymouth, Mich. – where they will learn the importance of sustainability, energy efficiency and renewable resources in the fields of automotive interior design and engineering, building efficiency and hybrid battery technology.  Career-focused information from each of Johnson Controls' businesses – Automotive Experience, Building Efficiency and Power Solutions – will be presented.

The program will culminate in a graduation ceremony on August 19 at Belle Isle Park, where the CLC students, crew leaders and community partners will acknowledge and present awards to the CLC teams.

Additional support for the program is being provided by the City of Detroit CDBG/NOF Block Grant; Grow Detroit's Young Talent and Initiative of City Connect Detroit; SAP America, Inc.; The Skillman Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful.  In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.

About the Student Conservation Association

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is a nationwide conservation force of college and high school-aged members who serve America's parks, forests, refuges, seashores and communities. Since 1957, SCA's active, hands-on practice of conservation service has helped to develop a new generation of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save the planet.  SCA is a nonprofit organization with offices in Boise, ID, Charlestown, NH, Oakland, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, Seattle, WA and Washington, D.C. For further information, visit www.thesca.org.

About The Greening of Detroit

The Greening of Detroit is devoted to guiding and inspiring the "greening" of the city of Detroit through planting projects, environmental education, environmental leadership, advocacy and by building community capacity. Since 1989, The Greening has planted 64,737 trees, engaged thousands of young people in its mission and supported the production of tons of produce through urban agriculture programming. For more information, visit www.greeningofdetroit.com.

SOURCE Johnson Controls, Inc.