Oyster Bay, NY, June 13, 2008 -- The Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center received a generous legislative member item of $30,000 from State Senator Carl Marcellino (R - Syosset) to help improve fuel efficiency when conducting outreach programming. The funds were used to purchase a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid.
“We are very fortunate to have a legislator like Senator Marcellino who is compassionate about the environment, our wildlife, and values the educational programs needed to create the next generation of conservationists,” said Aaron Virgin, Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center.
Considered the most fuel efficient sports utility vehicle on the planet, the Escape Hybrid averages 32 miles per gallon (mpg), with 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. This is a welcome change to the 16 mpg vehicle the Escape Hybrid has since replaced. “As an environmental organization it is important that we practice what we preach,” said Ralph Fumante, Board President.
The better gas mileage when driving in the city is due to the addition of an electric motor. The heat energy generated when braking is captured and stored in a battery pack located in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. When driven under normal conditions below 40 mph, the electric motor powers the car thus saving gasoline consumption in the conventional combustion motor. At stoplights, the conventional motor will turn off and remain idle when the battery pack is completely charged. “It was startling at first and seemed like I lost power in the vehicle completely. Sure enough, when the light went green the vehicle was on and ready to go,” Virgin explained.
In addition, innovative eco-friendly seating fabric is comprised of 100% of post-industrial waste plastics and polyester fibers that would have otherwise ended in landfills. The back seat fully folds down, allowing 2/3 of the vehicle to be filled with the resident program wildlife, including large transport carriers used for the Sanctuary’s birds of prey.
“Senator Carl Marcellino has been a true friend of Audubon and the environment of New York State, and we greatly appreciate his strong support of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center,” said Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of Audubon New York the state program of the National Audubon Society. “Through his generosity, the Audubon Center will be able to connect even more children to the wonders of nature on Long Island with their first class education programs.”
Today, the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center, one of nine Audubon New York nature centers, and is one of the largest providers of environmental education in the region, reaching over 100,000 children and adults annually, while working with over 500 schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as the five boroughs of New York City. For more information on education programs offered by the center please contact them at 516-922-3200 or at trsac@audubon.org.
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