Month: May 2023

Cummins

COLUMBUS, Ind., May 19, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Global power technology leader Cummins Inc. and Heliox, a supplier of fast-charging solutions, have signed an agreement to provide both the sale and service of electric vehicle chargers in North America.

The collaboration marks a significant step forward in providing EV charging solutions for diverse markets and customers.

The agreement will bring both a mobile 50 kW DC charger, Mobile 50, and a stationary 180 kW DC charging system, Flex 180, to market. The Mobile 50 is an innovative, reliable solution that easily plugs into 480V AC wall sockets and can be used anywhere there is a compatible power source. Its portable design does not require fixed installation, which will save fleets thousands on infrastructure costs as they transition to battery electric vehicles.

The Flex 180 solution provides up to three dispensers capable of static, sequential, and dynamic charging for optimal flexibility in charging for fleet customers. Dispensing options can come in both plug and pantograph options for transit bus customers.

“We have a storied history of building innovative partnerships that combine strengths to create incremental value for our customers,” said Zach Gillen, General Manager of Cummins Sales and Service North America. “Our relationship with EV charging partners builds on this legacy, and we are excited to work together to better serve customers who rely on battery electric technology.

“It’s yet another step in our journey to Destination Zero,” Gillen added, referring to Cummins’ product decarbonization strategy. “Our collaboration with Heliox will deliver a reliable solution to support fleet customers in reaching their sustainability and emissions goals.”

Heliox CEO Michael Colijn is also excited about the agreement.

“We look forward to working with Cummins to accelerate their efforts to provide electric vehicle charging solutions for fleets,” Colijn said. “Charging infrastructure is a critical component in adopting electrified technology, and we’re proud to play a role in helping Cummins customers on their journey to zero emissions vehicles.”

The collaboration between Cummins and Heliox reinforces the companies’ shared commitment to supporting customers in the energy transition. Recently, Cummins launched Accelera by Cummins, rebranding its New Power segment, to bring zero emissions solutions to markets even faster.

Both EV charger products are available through Cummins’ North America distribution network. Cummins Sales and Service, North America has the experience to deliver fast, high-quality repairs and planned maintenance for EV chargers as it does for power generation products and EV powertrains today throughout its more than 180 service locations in North America.

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2023 /3BL Media/ – A color-changing lizard, a thick-thumbed bat, a poisonous snake named after a Chinese mythological goddess, an orchid that looks like a muppet, and a tree frog with skin that resembles thick moss are five of the 380 new species described by scientists in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia in 2021 and 2022, according to a new report released today by WWF. With many of the species already under threat of extinction from human activities, WWF is calling on governments in the region to increase protection for these rare, amazing creatures and their habitats.

The report documents the work of hundreds of scientists from universities, conservation organizations and research institutes around the world who discovered 290 plants, 19 fishes, 24 amphibians, 46 reptiles and one mammal in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. This brings the total number of vascular plants, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals described in the Greater Mekong region since 1997 to 3,389.

“These remarkable species may be new to science but they have survived and evolved in the Greater Mekong region for millions of years, reminding us humans that they were there a very long time before our species moved into this region,” said K. Yoganand, WWF-Greater Mekong regional wildlife lead. “We have an obligation to do everything to stop their extinction and protect their habitats, and help their recovery.”

Highlights of the report include:

The Cambodian blue-crested agama, an aggressive lizard that changes color as a defensive mechanism and was identified by studying lizards found near an Angkor era archeological site.Hayes’ thick-thumbed myotis, a mouse-eared bat with unusual fleshy thumbs that was named a new species after a specimen sat in a Hungarian museum for 20 years.Khoi’s mossy frog, a large, spectacular find that is mossy-green colored, which helps it blend into the lichen and moss-covered stony, leafy background.Dendrobium fuscifaucium, a miniature orchid with brilliant pink and bright yellow coloring that resembles the beloved “Mah na mah na” muppets.Suzhen’s krait, an extremely venomous snake, named after Bai Su Zhen, a snake goddess from a Chinese myth called the Legend of the White Snake.Cleyera bokorensis, an evergreen shrub threatened by a Cambodian casino, dam and residential development.Viet Nam’s Thai crocodile newt is threatened by agricultural encroachment and logging, and collection by communities as a traditional cure for abdominal pain and parasitic infection.Thailand’s bent-toed gecko was named after a mythical tree nymph – Rukha Deva – that lives in trees and protects the forests. Discovered in the Tenasserim Mountains bordering Myanmar, It aggressively opens its mouth and waves its tail side-to-side when threatened.A new species of gecko discovered in Laos’ capital city Vientiane, whose home is being fragmented by construction projects.A semi-aquatic snake, Hebius terrakarenorum, found in the Dawna-Tenasserim Landscape between Thailand and Myanmar, is 650 mm long and was identified entirely from road-kill specimens collected over a decade and a few photos.

“While the Mekong region is a global biodiversity hotspot, it is also experiencing a vast array of threats,” said WWF-US Asian Species Manager Nilanga Jayasinghe. “We must continue to invest in the protection and conservation of nature, so these magnificent species don’t disappear before we know of their existence.”

In his foreword to the report, Dr. Truong Q. Nguyen with the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, notes that immediate action and the increased use of new technologies such as bio-acoustics and genetic sequencing are needed to help scientists discover more species in this biodiversity hotspot. “To reverse the rapid biodiversity loss in the region, more concerted, science based, and urgent efforts need to be made and conservation measures need more attention from governments, NGOs and the public,” he said.

WWF works with government, non-profit and private partners across the five Greater Mekong countries on conservation strategies designed to protect these species and their habitat. They protect flagship species such as Asian elephants, Irrawaddy dolphins and tigers, as well as the forests, rivers and oceans they depend on. To stop wildlife declines, WWF is strengthening protected areas, and tackling the snaring crisis, illegal wildlife markets, online wildlife trade, and the financial crimes associated with wildlife trafficking.

Notes to Editors:

Download photos and video here.To see the full species list for 2021 and 2022, go here.Spokespeople available on request.Scientists typically wait to reveal new discoveries until a species is officially described as a new species – a time-consuming process – hence the lag between the initial discovery and announcement for some species spotlighted in the report.This is the latest in a series of reports highlighting new discoveries in the Greater Mekong region. For past reports, go here.

Media Contact 
Amy Fallah 
Senior Specialist, Media and External Affairs 
amy.fallah@wwfus.org 
(703) 473-1442 

Irene Serrano 
Specialist, Media and External Affairs 
irene.serrano@wwfus.org 
(202) 352-0744

Franklin Templeton employees commemorated Earth Day in a variety of ways, including planting trees, cleaning up parks and beaches and participating in educational events. Some set up a personal challenge, such as no emissions for a day or committing to walk, bike or take public transit.

Earth Hour

Franklin Templeton participated in Earth Hour, a symbolic event meant to catalyze positive environmental impact and bring attention to collective action. For one hour on Saturday, March 25, between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. local time, Franklin Templeton facility managers turned off office signs and lights. Only security lights remained on. Employees participated in this simple initiative with their families or friends by turning off their lights and sharing the moment in global solidarity for the environment.

Earth Week 

Franklin Templeton sponsored the planting of trees through WeForest and featured the organization in an employee matching gifts campaign for the month of April.

Between April 17 and April 23, employees joined the healthy habit challenge on the Virgin Pulse (VP) app and avoided using disposable items for the whole week.

On April 26, employees joined Christyn Oda, Franklin Templeton’s Fitness and Wellness Consultant, in the “How to Go Green” wellness webinar to learn about how to preserve the environment, their health and their wallets.

Employee Engagement

Stamford Beach Cleanup

A team of Stamford employees celebrated Earth Week by volunteering for a beach cleanup at a local municipal park. The cleanup ended with a tour of SoundWaters’ new center that, in partnership with the City of Stamford, is cleaning up and transforming the park. The tour included an overview of their environmental and work-ready programs that bring generational care and focus to the health and economy of Long Island Sound.

Poznan Green Walk Around the Block

On April 22, Poznan employees went for a “Green Walk Around the Block” and cleaned the local municipal forest. For the third time, Franklin Templeton joined forces with Poznan-based companies and fellow members of the local ABSL CSR community, to contribute to a cleaner environment, raise ecological awareness and gather people passionate about it.

Employees from participating companies voted for their favorite green project submitted by local nonprofits as part of the “Green Walk Around the Block” mini-grant competition. The winning project will receive funding from the ABSL CSR community.

Brandywine Global Earth Week

Brandywine Global Environmental Group planned Earth Day celebrations alongside Franklin Templeton. Brandywine Global kicked off its annual Earth Week activities with a focus on action through the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices, meeting needs today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Each day, the Global Environmental Group featured a different sustainability focus: at the office, at home, in communities and in the kitchen.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 155 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers boutique specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, multi-asset solutions and alternatives. With offices in more than 30 countries and approximately 1,300 investment professionals, the California-based company has 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of April 30, 2023. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 22, 2023 /3BL Media/ – To help educators prepare for the next school year with the latest and best practices in teaching, Discovery Education presents a curated collection of professional development resources covering an array of topic areas. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.

Discovery Education’s dynamic professional learning strengthens teachers’ use of digital resources to improve student engagement and address the needs of the whole child. Users of the award-winning Discovery Education K-12 learning platform have access to the Professional Learning NOW channel. The collection features short and convenient microlearnings connecting educators to professional development sessions spanning topics such as best practices in teaching and learning, English Language Learners, Health, and Wellness, STEM, and more. Each microlearning provides a 3-5 minute burst of personalized, guided learning that seamlessly fits into a busy schedule.

“Discovery Education has given me professional learning that challenges me and gives me confidence. Discovery Education has changed my life professionally and I am a better educator because of my network,” said Abigail Schiferl, a Middle School Technology Teacher in South Carolina.

In addition, Discovery Education offers educators nationwide free professional learning resources created in collaboration with social impact partners across various topics, including:

Literacy 
Discover new ways to teach literacy essentials in this series of microlearnings from Discover Literacy – a program with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the National AfterSchool Association. Educators can create everyday connections to the five foundational keys of literacy with on-the-go microlearnings and flexible instructional support. These hands-on resources provide an explicit, systematic approach to instruction and opportunities to practice applying new skills.

STEM 
Data is a critical element—used across all professions—to solve problems and innovate solutions, and Discover Data is a library of resources that connect educators across subjects with real-world data that can be used to support a variety of classroom concepts and subjects. In the program’s new two-part Master Class series, educators learn how they can leverage data in the classroom to drive meaningful student discussions and bridge diverse topic areas. Accompanying educator guides, editable presentations and an on-demand webinar take the learning further. This series is from Discover Data—a data literacy initiative powered by the Nielsen Foundation in collaboration with Discovery Education and the National AfterSchool Association.

Most U.S. high schools do not currently offer biotechnology classes, limiting students’ ability to gain the skills and experiences necessary for careers in science and medicine. To support educators looking to infuse biotechnology into their teaching practice, Futurelab+, developed in partnership with Genentech, offers a comprehensive, two-year curriculum that includes hands-on labs, interactive resources, and career exploration tools. One of those tools, the Master Class series, provides a multi-faceted look at how three unique educators have brought biotechnology into the classroom. Through the series, educators can discover how to apply biotechnology principles in diverse learning environments using a simple framework to develop instructional practices.

Health and Wellness 
Deepen educator support around health and wellness in a variety of learning environments with professional learning resources. A network of partners committed to bringing important mental health resources into core instruction, this coalition supports educators and students nationwide.

Create teaching strategies that incorporate support for students’ mental health with on-demand e-learning modules. Designed in collaboration with Ready, Set, RISE! – an educational initiative with Kaiser Permanente and an Alliance for a Healthier Generation (Healthier Generation) – these resources help create student-centered and trauma-informed learning environments.

Finally, with a Master Class series from Amazing Me – a program with the Dove Self-Esteem Project – educators can gain the skills they can use to encourage kindness and open communication in their classrooms that reduces weight-based bullying and instilling body confidence. The series is hosted by Marisol Perez, a clinical psychologist and researcher at Arizona State University and The Institute for Research and Education Advancing Children’s Health (REACH).

“As a former educator, and a lifelong learner, I know first-hand how important professional development is,” said Lance Rougeux, Discovery Education’s Senior Vice President of Curriculum Instruction and Student Engagement. “At Discovery Education, we work to ensure educators have exactly what they need to keep their teaching skills sharp as to best engage students for lifelong success.”

The Discovery Educator Network (DEN) Community offers educators one of the most thriving professional learning networks in the world. As a global network of education professionals, the Discovery Educator Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds—and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn.

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About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts 
Grace Maliska 
Discovery Education 
gmaliska@discoveryed.com

As visitors enter the town of Flanders, New York, they’re greeted with a sign that features “The Big Duck,” a white, Peking duck not unlike the one featured in Aflac’s logo.

For more than two decades, the sign has paid homage to the town’s duck-farming history, but earlier this year, it went missing. Knowing the importance of this town icon and, of course, sharing an appreciation for ducks, Aflac Market Director Trevor Fennell stepped in and offered to replace the sign on behalf of Aflac.

“For Flanders residents, it is a familiar welcome home, and it’s a friendly greeting for visitors to this lovely community,” said Fennell. “At Aflac, we believe in doing the right thing, and this was, without a doubt, the right thing to do for such a wonderful town.”

On May 15, at the corner of Pleasure Drive and County Road 104, representatives from the town of Flanders and from Aflac gathered together to unveil the new sign, so that town visitors and residents will once again be greeted by a familiar, welcoming face as they drive into Flanders.

Aflac | Aflac NY | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

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