8.09.2007 - 11:45am ET

(CSRwire) BALTIMORE - August 9, 2007 - Students from Baltimore high schools graduated today from Baltimore's Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC) after spending the past six weeks restoring city parks and learning about environmental conservation. An initiative of Johnson Controls, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and Civic Works, Baltimore's CLC was launched in April in conjunction with Mayor Sheila Dixon to provide meaningful summer jobs in conservation and leadership development to Baltimore youth.

After participating in a week-long job readiness class at the end of June, the students were led by eight crew leaders to build and maintain trails, repair damage to trails caused by erosion, remove invasive plant species and restore habitats in various Baltimore City parks, including Cylburn Arboretum, Herring Run Park, Clifton Park and Druid Hill Park.

"The CLC created a ripple effect with each student who participated in this program. By dealing with nature and the environment directly, students were positively impacted as individuals and passed on their learning and experiences to peers. Each became an environmental steward in his/her family," said Marcus Asante, Program Coordinator with the Student Conservation Association (SCA). "As the students' day-to-day mentors, CLC crew leaders were also transformed through this experience and interaction with students."

In addition to hands-on conservation projects in Baltimore parks, the program provided students with further opportunities to learn more about sustainability and to share their experiences with other Baltimore youth. As part of the program's Environmental Education Days, students visited the Johnson Controls Institute in Sparks, MD, where they learned about environmental sustainability and building efficiency. In late July, the students partnered with the Baltimore City Police Athletic League to mentor and teach youth about park conservation by completing a team project in Druid Hill Park before attending a Baltimore Orioles game at Camden Yards.

"All of the students have done a remarkable job preserving Baltimore's parks and open spaces," said Chuck Harvey, vice president of diversity and public affairs for Johnson Controls, a Fortune

100 company that creates smart environments for vehicles, homes and workplaces. "We are a proud partner in this effort to positively impact local communities, the environment and the lives of Baltimore youth."

Baltimore was the second of three pilot cities where Johnson Controls has launched the summer job program. The first pilot kicked off in 2006 in Milwaukee, where Johnson Controls has its global headquarters. Johnson Controls continued to sponsor the Milwaukee Conservation Leadership Corps this year, which was held concurrent to Baltimore's CLC. Similar to the Milwaukee program, Baltimore's Conservation Leadership Corps will be conducted annually and offered again next year.

Student Conservation Association (SCA) and Civic Works administered Baltimore's CLC program. The SCA is a nationwide organization that gives high school and college-age students practical conservation experience. Civic Works is a leading nonprofit youth service corps in Baltimore.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global leader in automotive interior experience, building efficiency and power solutions. The company provides innovative automobile interiors that help make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For buildings, it offers products and services that optimize energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson Controls also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with systems engineering and service expertise. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) has 136,000 employees in more than 1,000 locations serving customers within 125 countries. Founded in 1885, the company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For additional information, please visit http://johnsoncontrols.com.

About Student Conservation Association

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is a nationwide conservation force of college and high school volunteers who protect and restore America's parks, forests and other public lands. For nearly 50 years, SCA's active, hands-on approach to conservation has helped to develop a new generation of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save our planet.

About Civic Works

Civic Works, Baltimore's nonprofit community youth and service corps, provides critical services throughout the Baltimore area. Founded in 1993, Civic Works fosters individual growth and development in its corps members through team-based service projects in tutoring, community beautification, home re-building and workforce training.

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