YOUTH VENTURE and DR. SEUSS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT    

Lorax Challenge Encourages Young People To Launch Their Own Environmental Organizations

ARLINGTON, VA  (April 21, 2008) – Youth Venture and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, in collaboration with Earth Island Institute, are launching the “Youth Venture Lorax Challenge,” a campaign to identify and inspire young people across the U.S. and Canada, whose ideas and initiatives offer local solutions to some of the most pressing environmental issues of our day.  

Based on the well-known Dr. Seuss character, The Lorax, the “Youth Venture Lorax Challenge” is a campaign to support 50 youth-initiated, youth-led ventures that address a range of environmental issues from climate change to environmental justice, and from green lifestyle choices to alternative energy products.  Staples Copy and Print Centers have generously supported the Challenge by providing in-kind printing services for all promotional material given to 500 schools throughout the U.S.

“Dr. Seuss and the Lorax are favorites of so many young people,” said Gretchen Zucker, Executive Director of Youth Venture.  “It is a natural fit to partner with Dr. Seuss Enterprises to inspire young people to launch environmental Venture teams.  We are also delighted to collaborate with Earth Island, a leader in supporting environmental innovation around the world, in our teen challenge.”  

High school students from across the U.S. and Canada are invited to form Venture teams (two or more teens), design a plan for their environmental organization, and present their idea to a panel of experts.  Approved teams are awarded up to $1,000 in seed funding, access to tools and resources from Youth Venture, media opportunities, and membership in a global community of young people leading their own ventures.  The top five Venture teams in the Lorax Challenge will be eligible for the Lorax Challenge Grand Prize:  two members from each winning team will receive an all expenses paid trip to the University of Florida in Gainesville this summer to attend an environmental entrepreneurship boot camp and awards event through the UF Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.  The Grand Prize Winners will be announced on July 31, 2008.  Information on the Lorax Challenge can be found at www.loraxchallenge.org.