Mayor Cory A. Booker announced today that the City of Newark partnered with Siemens Corporation and the Greater Newark Conservancy to provide Newark youth an educational three-day environmental program at the Conservancy's Outdoor Educational Center located at 32 Prince Street.

The partnership was powered by the Siemens "Caring Hands" program, which is the corporation's employee community service initiative. During a July 30 ceremony at the Conservancy's Outdoor Educational Center, Newark dignitaries, led by Deputy Mayor for Neighborhood Engagement Margarita Muniz, congratulated 150 Siemens corporate volunteers and the non-profit organization for their partnership. In addition, the Siemens Corporation made a $5,000 donation to the Greater Newark Conservancy.

"This alliance is another example of how Newark's non-profit community and our corporate leaders are working together to create a safer, stronger, and prouder City," Mayor Booker said in a statement. "This alliance has enabled our youth to learn valuable life lessons about the environment, community service, and the importance of volunteerism. I congratulate Siemens, the Greater Newark Conservancy and all of the volunteers who participated in the program to make this an enriching experience for Newark's youth."

"It was wonderful that our youth had the opportunity to interact and bond with so many positive role models from the Siemens Corporation. Newark's Conservancy is a hidden jewel in our City. On a daily basis they plant seeds of growth and leadership in the lives of Newark youth every day," said Deputy Mayor Muniz.

"We are so very grateful to the Siemens volunteers. Despite the boiling temperatures, the volunteers worked very hard and helped us improve our Outdoor Learning Center's teaching gardens to better serve Newark's schoolchildren," said Greater Newark Conservancy Executive Director Robin Dougherty.

The Greater Newark Conservancy is the region's premier urban environmental education center, offering a sensory garden and year round workshops at their center on Prince Street. In addition, the Greater Newark Conservancy works with approximately 3,000 youth per year, hosts an Urban Rangers program, and develops youth leadership through their after-school program, which has high school students involved in educating youngsters. The Conservancy also assists residents with community gardens throughout the City.

"It was very interesting to learn how to work with plants and it was very nice to see an area filled with flowers and plants in the middle of Newark. I have never seen anything like this before. We should have more places like the Greater Newark Conservancy around our City," said Erika Campos, a City of Newark Community Youth Mapping program participant who took part in the three-day initiative.

"The value of corporate volunteer programs cannot be underestimated. Hands on activities make a real difference to our city and to our lives," said City of Newark Sustainability Officer Chelsea Albucher. "Bringing corporate employees together with Newark youth to green our City is a valuable contribution to help grow an ethic of stewardship which is essential for sustainability."

"I look forward to growing partnerships that engage corporations in making a real difference in our city." Siemens' Caring Hands program brought over 150 corporate volunteers together with more than 50 Newark youth to work with the Greater Newark Conservancy over the course of three days. We applaud the Siemens Corporation for their community mindedness and challenge other entities to step up in the same manner," said Council Member-at-Large Donald Payne Jr.

Siemens AG is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, and operates in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. For more than 160 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions. With 428,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide sales of $116.6 billion in fiscal 2008.

"Siemens is excited to partner with the Greater Newark Conservancy. Its mission to improve the quality of life in New Jersey through environmental education aligns perfectly with our company values. As a leader in environmentally relevant businesses, Siemens knows the answers to tomorrow's critical environmental questions are in the minds of today's youth," said James Whaley, Siemens' Vice President of Corporate Communications & Marketing, Siemens Corporation.

With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens employs approximately 69,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. "Caring Hands" is Siemens' employee volunteer, giving, and disaster relief program. Siemens "Caring Hands" connects employee volunteers across the country through the belief that one inspired person can make a difference, but together we can change the world. Siemens employees donate thousands of volunteer hours each year. Last year, employees donated 70,000 hours of their time, which is a value of $1,700,000.

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of over 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation's largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its 6 major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.