The Wyland Foundation and Toyota will launch the second annual National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation from the nation’s capital, with support from Mayor Vincent C. Gray and city leaders from around the country. The challenge runs April 1 - 30 and asks residents to show their commitment to conserving natural resources by taking an online pledge at www.mywaterpledge.com. The Earth Month initiative will reward residents from cities with the highest percentage of participants with hundreds of environmentally friendly prizes, including a Toyota Prius c, water-saving fixtures and gift certificates to Lowe's stores. At the kick-off in Washington, D.C., renowned marine artist Wyland will join Gray, Nancy Stoner, acting assistant administrator for water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and representatives from Toyota, National League of Cities, CH2M Hill WaterMatch, DC Water and the U.S. Forest Service to discuss the importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Pete Dominick, longtime SiriusXM host, stand-up comic and CNN contributor, will also speak at the kick-off as the official spokesperson of Comics for Conservation, a series of public service announcements by well-known comics in support of the environment. During the event, Wyland will create a five-by-ten foot conservation-themed mural that will be awarded to one of the Mayor’s Challenge winning cities. “There has never been a more important time to make a commitment to conserving water in the District of Columbia and across the country,” noted Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “I proudly stand with the Wyland Foundation, Toyota and mayors from across the country to urge residents to conserve this important natural resource and build a more sustainable future.” The challenge divides cities into five population categories: 5,000 – 30,000 residents, 30,000 – 100,000 residents, 100,000 – 300,000 residents, 300,000 – 600,000 residents, and cities with more than 600,000 residents.One winning city will be determined in each of the five population categories. The grand prize of a Toyota Prius c will be awarded to one participant from a winning city by random drawing. A second prize drawing for a $1,000 Lowe’s shopping spree will be held among all challenge entries, regardless if a city is among the five winning cities. Participating mayors and elected officials can earn additional prizes for their residents if their cities win. In addition to Gray, other mayors who will encourage their residents to participate in the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation include:
- Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus, Ohio
- Mayor David Coss, Santa Fe, N.M.
- Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Denver, Colo.
- Mayor Mike McGinn, Seattle, Wash.
- Mayor Kasim Reed, Atlanta, Ga.
- Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Tucson, Ariz.
Presented nationally by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, with support from the National League of Cities, CH2M Hill WaterMatch, Rain Bird Corporation, Lowe's home improvement stores, the EPA, and the U.S. Forest Service, the challenge also provides residents with local resources to take their commitments of conservation even further. Regional water and energy resources to cost-saving tips at home are available at www.mywaterpledge.com. Organizers are currently leading an eight-state U.S. educational tour, visiting schools and community events to prime cities for the Earth Month initiative in which thousands of residents nationwide are expected to participate.
Courtesy of Toyota Press Room
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