EARTH DAY 2008 EFFORTS OF EMBASSY VILNIUS

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000322 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ADM KPAO SENV SUBJECT: EARTH DAY 2008 EFFORTS OF EMBASSY VILNIUS REF: STATE 27697 ¶1. SUMMARY. For Earth Day 2008, Post organized a park clean up, the Ambassador participated in a tree planting, and several sections began plans to "green" the Embassy. End Summary. ¶2. Post's CLO office co-organized a park clean up on April 22 with the American International School in Vilnius near a prominent tourist attraction, the Hill of Three Crosses. The students and volunteers from the Embassy, aided by a truck provided by GSO, helped pick up tons of trash, literally. ¶3. The Ambassador took part in a tree planting in the city of Siauliai in northern Lithuania on April 24. The event was part of a celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of Siauliai University. The Ambassador spoke to various media outlets about Earth Day and the importance of protecting our environment in conjunction with the tree planting. He planted an American oak tree to signify the enduring relationship between the U.S. and Lithuania. ¶4. The MGT, P/E, and PAO sections began planning how to "green" the Embassy. MGT has taken several steps, such as improving the recycling program, an internal information campaign about conservation, and informing staff of the actual costs of home utility bills. The collaborative effort will continue and will include creating an action plan with goals to be reached by next year's Earth Day. CLOUD