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NEWS RELEASE
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Angie Helton
Northeast Media Associates
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2006

COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS GATHER FOR ISLAND CLEANUP RODEO FOR RIPPLEFFECT

PORTLAND, ME (May 8, 2006) – Rippleffect, a community-based non-profit organization promoting positive youth development through ‘learning adventures in living classrooms’, celebrates their fifth consecutive year of leading area island aficionados, outdoor enthusiasts and conservation buffs with an extended list of island cleanup dates. Since the purchase of Cow Island in 2001 new trails have been created, campsites established, exotic invasive eradicated and poison ivy removed. A record four clean-up rodeo days set aside in May for similar activity has the Rippleffect staff confident that this year they will realize even greater significant positive changes to this historic community resource.

New this year will be the introduction of native species in areas that have been cleared in years past, laying gravel on trails throughout the island in an effort to reduce the wear and erosion from foot traffic and the creation of several more public campsites. Activities will be lead by Evan Grant recently hired to manage a new division at Rippleffect known as the ‘Cow Island Conservation Corp’ a body of young people both college and high schools students who will map and manage various conservation projects on island and ultimately throughout the bay.

Grant reached by phone said of this initiative: “we are very enthusiastic about this project which will enable us to restore Cow Island’s unusual ecosystem to its more natural state, to the benefit of future generations of Mainers increasingly divorced from their heritage; coastal Maine. Volunteers are an essential component.”

The word rodeo implies competition but in the Rippleffect lexicon it is another word for team work requiring leaders and followers, skilled labor and simply hard workers eager to resurrect an island long overdue intentional planning. Rippleffect in the last five years has seen unprecedented interest from area residents eager to participate in environmental projects to the benefit of the general public. Employees from MarTel, RSN, LeggMason, Diversified Communications, and Pierce Atwood – as well as youth from area group homes-have all made annual pilgrimages to Cow Island lending time and talent enabling seemingly impossible tasks to be completed in a two or three days.

“The energy, commitment and drive that our volunteers have exhibited in recent years has been incredible,” said Aaron Frederick, Executive Director of Rippleffect. “We are looking forward to another season of productive and enjoyable days on Cow Island.”

Rippleffect is hosting four clean-up rodeo days: May 13, 14, 18 , 20 and 21. Each of these days involves initiatives that will ready its “Island Classroom” for attendance by students beginning in mid-June. If one is interested in volunteering for Rippleffect an online registration form can be found at www.rippleffect.net under “Fort Lyons Adult Programs”. Dates are listed as “Cow Island Clean-Up 1, 2, 3 & 4”.



About Rippleffect
Founded in 1999, Rippleffect is a community-based youth development organization specializing in adventure and wilderness experiences that build confidence and self-esteem. Rippleffect now manages two island facilities on Casco Bay. Although area teens from all walks now have the opportunity to enjoy the Maine Coast, Rippleffect’s unique programming complements the efforts of area social services dealing with youth in crisis. Additionally, Rippleffect now provides adventure programming with adult groups through its Fort Lyons programs.