Month: April 2025

Nature-based solutions for water play a significant role in the overall approach Dow takes to environmental stewardship. By valuing nature and building it into our business models, everyone benefits—our customers, our communities and the planet.

This article showcases some exemplary projects, partnerships and initiatives that highlight how industry can support resilient watersheds and healthy ecosystems by implementing robust water conservation initiatives and land management practices that conserve natural environments, enable business growth and deliver long-term value.

Take a tour of how Dow has supported and continues to support sustainable watershed management and habitat conservation around the world.

Water and ecosystem conservation projects in North America

Michigan: Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

Dow and Ducks Unlimited have announced a multi-year, multi-national partnership to restore and conserve natural habitats across North America. One of the initial projects from this collaboration includes the restoration the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, one of Michigan’s largest managed wetland complexes.

This initiative, focused in the area where the Tittabawassee, Shiawassee, Cass and Flint Rivers converge, aims to improve the resiliency of the region by increasing biodiversity, improving water quality and enhancing flood storage capacity.

Louisiana: Loch Leven project

In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Ecolab, the Caterpillar Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other partners, Dow supported the Loch Leven project, a conservation initiative in an area of the Mississippi River watershed located about 70 miles upriver of Baton Rouge.

The goal of this work is to restore and enhance 10,000 wetland acres and provide 12.1 billion gallons (45.8 million cubic meters) of flood storage capacity to local communities within the Mississippi River Delta’s Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley in Louisiana.

Arkansas: Mining site restoration

In Arkansas, Dow tackled the challenge of acidic water with high zinc levels seeping from an abandoned mining site. By constructing a sinuous channel lined with limestone, Dow increased the water’s alkalinity, which in turn raised the pH and created conditions for reducing metal concentrations through biological processes.

This innovative solution resulted in a natural streambed that requires no operational and maintenance costs, ensuring that the mine seep water is treated before reaching downstream creeks.

Kentucky: Wetland for fire prevention

The Dow manufacturing site in Elizabethtown needed a way to retain storm water and a barrier to help manage fires. Rather than constructing a conventional retention pond, they instead opted to construct a five-acre wetland.

This solution helps to reduce downstream flooding and filters storm runoff for cleaner water. The design also supports the containment of fires should the need arise.

Texas: Seadrift constructed wetlands

The Seadrift constructed wetlands project in Texas is an example of engineered natural technology. In 1996, the Dow Seadrift manufacturing site, located about 60 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, converted 110 acres of a water treatment pond into wetlands that have been fully compliant with regulations for almost 30 years.

These constructed wetlands have provided treatment for 5 million gallons of industrial wastewater daily as a natural filtration system. The land also serves as a wildlife refuge, supporting various species and local biodiversity.

This innovative project demonstrates how manufacturing can coexist with and even enhance natural ecosystems. It is also a proof point of valuing nature as a business strategy. The project cost about $1.4 million, a fraction of the $40 million price tag for an industrial wastewater treatment plant.

Michigan: Ash pond to wetland transformation

Utilizing the Ecosystem Services Identification & Inventory Tool, also known as the ESII Tool, developed by The Nature Conservancy and Dow, a restoration plan was developed for 23 acres adjacent to the Dow Michigan Operations manufacturing site.

Located along the Tittabawassee River, this project exemplifies the valuable transformation that is possible for industrial areas through sustainable land management practices. It involved excavating ash and soil for secure disposal and reintroducing over 25,000 native plants. The restoration improves water and air quality, supports biodiversity, and connects to a network of parks and trails in Michigan.

Louisiana: Coastal wetland restoration

Ducks Unlimited and Dow have partnered to enhance about 2,030 acres of coastal freshwater wetlands between Cameron Prairie and Lacassine National Wildlife Refuges in Louisiana.

This project aims to protect critical natural infrastructure, improve habitat for migratory waterfowl and wildlife, and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities. The first phase, completed in 2023, included infrastructure improvements like levee refurbishment and water-control systems.

Nature-based solutions and biodiversity projects in Latin America

Brazil: Erosion protection solution

In 2009, the excavation of an area on Matarandiba Island in Aratu, Brazil created 24-meter-high embankments that were slowly eroding and causing safety concerns. Rather that stabilizing the slopes with conventional solutions like concrete and tie-back anchors, the local team installed green gabion walls made from steel mesh and natural fiber filled with locally sourced stones. Native vegetation was planted over the top to create a living wall that protects against soil erosion.

The approach to this project reduced costs and the amount of energy and materials needed for the solution while enabling a lower-emissions scope for the project and more natural plants in the local area.

Brazil: Biodiversity assessment for eucalyptus farming

EcoMetrix Solutions Group, The Nature Conservancy and Dow have collaborated to develop tools for assessing biodiversity around the Dow Breu Branco site in Pará, Brazil. These tools help local businesses understand their impact on biodiversity so they can make informed decisions that support business goals and ecological health.

The project revealed that Dow’s eucalyptus plantations significantly improve biodiversity compared to the surrounding farmland through minimizing soil disturbance, carefully managing crop rotation and conserving natural corridors throughout the site. This initiative underscores the role that valuing nature has in achieving sustainable business practices.

Brazil: Amazon rainforest conservation initiative

Project Ybá is a collaborative initiative by Dow, Natura cosmetics, The Nature Conservancy, and the Peabiru Institute to conserve biodiversity and support sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest. The work focuses on the sustainable extraction of forest resources, such as Andiroba seeds, to produce bioactive ingredients for cosmetics, supporting a local community economically.

Through biodiversity mapping, sustainable harvesting training, and the breeding of stingless bees for honey production, this initiative aims to combine conservation with social transformation, promoting a sustainable bioeconomy in Brazil.

Sustainable water resource and habitat management in Europe

Germany & Netherlands: Protecting shared water resources

The Dow manufacturing sites in Böhlen, Germany and Terneuzen, Netherlands, have launched the Reshape Water Use Initiative to reduce freshwater intake intensity by 20% at key water-stressed sites. The project includes increased water recycling, digitalization, raising awareness about water resources, and local collaborations with stakeholders.

As part of this initiative, in tandem, Dow is taking part in the EU-funded AquaSPICE project to trial new water treatment technologies and develop a digital model of the water network for better decision-making. This initiative aims to sustainably reduce freshwater withdrawals, stabilize water supply, and enhance efficient use of natural resources.

Germany: Advanced wetlands as an additional freshwater source

As part of the Reshape Water Use Initiative, the Dow Böhlen site in Germany expects to achieve at least a quarter of its targeted water savings by treating captured rainwater through advanced wetlands and using it as an additional freshwater source. This project employs an innovative, close-to-nature technology for treatment, helping to secure an important resource for Dow in a water-scarce region. The wetlands are expected to enter test operation in the fall of 2025. Starting in May, more than 50,000 plants will be planted, which will grow over the summer and help treat the rainwater in the future.

Mangrove restoration and ecosystem conservation in Asia Pacific

Thailand: Mangrove forest conservation and restoration

The Dow Thailand team has been working for over a decade to protect and restore mangrove forests, which are crucial for coastal protection, water quality, and biodiversity. The Dow & Thailand Mangrove Alliance collaborates with local governments, communities, and NGOs to advance conservation efforts across five provinces, covering approximately 2,000 acres.

Initiatives include reforestation, promoting eco-tourism, tackling marine debris, supporting carbon credit mechanisms, and fostering young conservation leaders through mangrove camps and educational materials for students. These efforts not only support the environment but also create economic and social opportunities for local communities.

China: Conserving the Yangtze River’s tributary water source

In collaboration with local partners, the Dow China team has launched a project to support the water source area of Qingyi River, one of the tributaries of Yangtze River which plays a vital role in the history, culture and economy in China. Various wild animals live in and alongside Qingyi River. Chinese universities and government organizations have been involved in ecological studies of local species like giant salamanders, fishes, frogs, etc.

Twelve villages populate the surrounding area. Some families have been there for multiple generations. Since 2024, residents have participated in a local “River Inspection Team” to collect real-time data on water quality while cleaning the river and shoreline. Later this year, Dow will help support sustainable agriculture training sessions for local farmers, aiming to advance knowledge and best practices which supports the continuous improvement of local water quality.

Building a resilient future through sustainable water stewardship

Nature is a shared resource. Through implementing environmental stewardship projects and sustainable practices for its use and management, Dow not only helps safeguard the environment but also ensures long-term business value. In fact, ahead of schedule, Dow surpassed its 2025 Sustainability Goal for valuing nature by realizing $1.2 billion in net present value (NPV) from business-driven projects that enhance nature.

The work of water and land management requires understanding local dynamics, utilizing advanced technologies, and collaborating with others. The projects, partnership and initiatives reflected in this article not only preserve vital ecosystems but also offer economic and social benefits to the communities and collaborators. By working alongside one another, a holistic approach to sustainability helps ensure a resilient future for the planet and everyone who lives here.

#Sustainability

About the article

This case study was developed by a cross-discipline team representing geographic and sustainability expertise across Dow, Inc. To learn more about the many initiatives Dow is involved with that enable a sustainable future, visit the Company’s Purpose in Action pages.

GENEVA, April 16, 2025 /3BL/ – The Tire Industry Project (TIP) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its external Assurance Group, boosting its subject matter expertise. Formed in 2006, the Assurance Group guides TIP on vital environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics, bringing in an independent, external view. The Group is comprised of renowned experts from various scientific and academic fields, providing TIP with objective counsel on research and strategic initiatives.

“Ever since its inception, the Assurance Group has served as a solid sounding board as well as a check point, helping us stay on track in pursuit of our goals. Their multi-faceted advice over the years has strengthened our scientific understanding of key topics with an external perspective. We are now expanding the Assurance Group with specialist knowledge in the areas of ecotoxicology, human health, environmental impact and environmental policy, in line with our enhanced ambitions for TIP 2.0”, says Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP.

The new members of the Assurance Group were selected following a rigorous process, based on their scientific contributions, relevance to TIP’s focus areas and fitment within the Assurance Group.

The four new Assurance Group members include:

• Dr. Masaharu Motoshita: A Research Group Leader at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan, Dr. Motoshita is a seasoned researcher with a focus on sustainable industrial practices, including Life Cycle Assessment, environmental impact assessment, and supply chain management.
• Dr. Iseult Lynch: Chair Professor of Environmental Nanosciences at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK, Dr. Lynch is a leading expert in the field of nanotechnology and its environmental impact. Her research focuses on the safety of nanoscale materials and their interactions with biological systems.
• Dr. Oludayo Olusegun Dada: A lead expert and advisor to the African Region Group on Chemicals and Waste Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Dr. Dada brings over three decades of diverse experiences in developing sustainable solutions to both regional and global environmental challenges, especially around pollution control.
• Dr. John Bucher: An internationally known toxicologist and retired leader of the US National Toxicology Program, Dr. Bucher has studied the health effects of chemicals (including those used in tire manufacture) for over 40 years. He has served on the National Academy of Sciences, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and World Health Organization committees.

In addition to the above, the following Assurance Group members will continue advising TIP during the 2024-25 work cycle:

• Dr. John Spengler: A professor of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, Dr. Spengler has done pioneering work on the impact of environmental pollution on humans. He also served as an advisor to the World Health Organization for air and indoor pollution.
• Dr. Emeric Frejafon: Currently at Bureau des Recherches Géologiques et Minières, France, scaling up industry innovation, besides being the Chairman of the European Committee for Standardization on Nanotechnologies, France. He specializes in environmental risk assessment, has won multiple awards for metrology and is the owner/co-owner of several world patents.
• Dr. How Yong Ng: Adjunct Professor at National University of Singapore (NUS), Changjiang Scholar Professor at Beijing Normal University, China, Fellow of Academy of Engineering Singapore and International Water Association (IWA), and Chair of the IWA Membrane Technology Specialist Group, focusing on sustainable water management and removal of emerging pollutants. Dr. Ng has over 500 publications and received multiple awards.

While welcoming the new members of the Assurance Group, TIP also expresses its sincere gratitude to the outgoing member Dr. Masahiko Hirao (University of Tokyo, Department of Chemical Systems Engineering School of Engineering, Japan), for his invaluable contributions since 2019.

“With the expanded Assurance Group now in place, we are better poised to pursue a sustainability agenda that is science-based, innovative and pragmatic”, comments Kryachkova.

About TIP

Formed in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) is a voluntary CEO-driven initiative with a mission to anticipate, understand, and address global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues relevant to the tire industry and its value chain. TIP acts by commissioning independent research of the highest standards, collaborating on sectoral solutions, and engaging with external stakeholders. The organisation currently brings together 10 leading tire companies that represent more than 60% of the world’s tire manufacturing capacity. For more information, visit The Tire Industry Project.

Traditional recruiting does not always enable people who are neurodiverse to demonstrate strengths and qualifications. That’s because while many people with neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia have extraordinary skills, many struggle to feel comfortable in a company’s hiring process.

Benefits of neurodiversity

Research shows there are business benefits to hiring employees with autism. People on the spectrum often demonstrate exceptional trustworthiness, sharp abilities to remember, reliability, adherence to rules and attention to detail.

They are also often good at coding, a skill that is in high demand at Rockwell and in many talent markets. Strong coding skills include “pattern recognition,” “strong attention to detail” and a “very direct” communication style. People with autism have special gifts when it comes to thinking outside the box and can be extremely creative.

Rockwell’s focus on neurodiversity

Rockwell partnered with CAI Neurodiverse Solutions, a neurodiversity employment program that brings neurodivergent people into the workforce.

Program participants begin as contractors at Rockwell. Two employees hired on full time through this program commented on its strengths and unique approach:

“I am surprised at how good I feel working here,” said Alice Ruel, a senior technician in Rockwell’s Mequon, Wisconsin manufacturing facility. “It is comforting to know my talents and skills are in full use here.”

“I am very proud to work with such a renowned company assisting in the development of technology that drives industry and improves lives across the globe,” added Craig Benedict, a senior technician also in Mequon.

“An important part of our culture is to empower every one of us—and our unique talents—because inclusive thinking drives both our engagement and innovation,” said Gabe Kinzer, team lead at the Rockwell Mequon facility. “Through this program, applicants engage in an extended interview process that focuses on workability, team projects, and skills assessment. This approach relieves candidates of the time pressures and anxiety of having only one chance to impress.”

Our neurodiversity hiring pilot program has had 100% success in the retention rate of new employees hired through this partnership.

Covia Mexico recently celebrated its 70th anniversary with a commemorative tour of three key plants in southern Mexico. The event was an opportunity to honor the company’s heritage and recognize the remarkable accomplishments of its plants and team members because of their hard work and dedication. The tour was attended by Covia’s Executive Leadership Team, who expressed pride, gratitude and encouragement to the local teams, reinforcing the company’s commitment to its employees and their contributions.

Covia’s Ahuazotepec Plant is recognized as Plant of the Year for the second consecutive year 

The celebration began at the Ahuazotepec plant with a sense of pride. For the second year in a row, this plant was recognized as the Plant of the Year. The event brought together the plant’s leadership team, who recognized their employees for their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results in quality, efficiency and culture. The team was congratulated for their hard work, leadership, and the significant impact they continue to make on the plant.

20 Years Accident-Free at Covia’s Tlaxcala Plant 

The second stop was the Tlaxcala plant, where a remarkable achievement was celebrated: two decades without a lost-time accident. Team members were recognized for working tirelessly to foster a strong safety culture. Covia’s leadership truly values this achievement, as it is a significant reflection of the dedication, responsibility and commitment to health and safety of every employee at the plant.

70th Anniversary of Operations at Covia’s Jáltipan Plant 

The last stop was Covia’s Jáltipan plant, which celebrated its 70th anniversary, a significant milestone for the plant. The event brought employees together, fostering a sense of community and shared history. During the celebration, a powerful message was delivered, emphasizing that this achievement is the culmination of the collective dedication of generations of team members who have shaped who we are today. The tour not only honored 70 years of history but also celebrated the employees who contribute to the company’s future every day.

DENVER, April 16, 2025 /3BL/ – Arrow Electronics recently teamed with the Colorado Rockies to champion Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver and its innovative approach to building affordable housing.

On Opening Day, Arrow and the Rockies celebrated the nonprofit by highlighting its newest local development, Mountain View Community Homes – Habitat’s first affordable smart home project. Habitat is developing the community in collaboration with Arrow. The company is working with its suppliers and customers to equip each of the community’s 20 homes with a bundle of smart home products designed to enhance security and safety, save energy, conserve water, improve air quality and reduce energy costs.

“We’re so proud to be working with Habitat to build the first affordable smart home community in its history. The technology we are deploying in this community will improve the performance of the homes and enable residents to live more comfortably and safely,” said Arrow President and CEO Sean Kerins.

Arrow employees also contributed over 700 hours building homes and training residents to use the technology. The community’s first residents will begin moving into the three-and-four-bedroom duplexes in May.

A mother of five and first-time homeowner, will soon call the Mountain View community home. As part of the Opening Day festivities, Yareni and her daughter threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Coors Field to kick off the 2025 Colorado Rockies season.

“Opening Day was a great celebration of Habitat’s partnership with Arrow, and our collaboration to build affordable and smart homes for families in our community,” said Jaime G. Gomez, CEO of Habitat Metro Denver. “The energy and excitement of the home opener and first pitch mirrors our excitement for the 20 homeowners who will soon buy and move into their new Habitat smart homes at Mountain View.”

Arrow has served as an official sponsor of the Rockies for a decade and has worked with the team to highlight organizations who have positively impacted the local community.

Habitat has helped more than 2,200 Denver-area families build and buy affordable homes over the last 46 years.

About Habitat for Humanity 

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is part of a global, non-profit housing organization that seeks to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership, founded on the belief that everyone needs a decent place to live. Habitat homeowners help build or repair their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage or reduced cost for repairs. To learn more, visit HabitatMetroDenver.org.  

About Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics (NYSE:ARW) sources and engineers technology solutions for thousands of leading manufacturers and service providers. With global 2024 sales of $28 billion, Arrow’s portfolio enables technology across major industries and markets. Learn more at arrow.com.

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Originally published in Sysco’s 2024 Sustainability Report

Now in its 20th year, Sysco’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program encourages responsible growing practices. This includes using pesticide and nutrient inputs responsibly, conserving energy and water, and minimizing waste. It applies to Sysco Brand canned and frozen foods, such as frozen fruits, vegetables and potatoes. As of FY2024, the program included more than 17,600 growers and 59 suppliers covering more than 1 million acres of field. Overall, growers who applied IPM principles reported avoiding 6.1 million pounds of pesticides throughout the growing season.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 76,000 colleagues, the company operates 340 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 730,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2024 that ended June 29, 2024, the company generated sales of more than $78 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2023 Sustainability Report and 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, can be found at www.sysco.com.

 For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

To learn more about Sysco’s commitment to sustainability, visit our webpage

For full details about Sysco’s 2024 Sustainability Report, visit here.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 16, 2025 /3BL/ – Discovery Education presents a new collection of free, high-quality digital resources and a unique virtual event to support students’ exploration of the natural world on Earth Day and beyond. Discovery Education is the creator of essential K-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world.

The resources in Discovery Education Experience, the essential companion for engaged K-12 classrooms, include:

• Earth Day Channel: This curated collection features on-demand events, videos, images, Virtual Field Trips, and fun activities, empowering students to explore environmental issues in the classroom for students of all ages.
• Fix-it: Taking Care of Earth: In this lesson, 1-2 grade students practice properly using commas while learning about taking care of Earth.
• Celebrate Earth Day Holiday Lesson: Students in grades 3-5 celebrate Earth Day’s history and influence, and learn about Earth’s natural resources.
• Celebrate Earth Day Teacher Choice Board: Use this choice board for students to explore Earth Day topics. Students in grades 6-8 can demonstrate understanding by completing one of the recommended activities.

Users of the award-winning Mystery Science by Discovery Education can access 5-minute mini-lessons in the Celebrating Earth Day collection designed to inspire K-5 students to ask questions about Earth’s natural processes and diverse lifeforms.

Discovery Education also offers free resources created in collaboration with corporate partners to celebrate Earth Day. These resources include:

• Video Topic Series: This 3-part video topic series, created with Trane Technologies, showcases the human imagination, ingenuity, and passion behind environmental initiatives. Accompanying classroom and at-home resources take learning even further, inspiring students to learn, explore, and innovate.
• Digital Lesson Bundles: This collection of standards-aligned classroom lessons and educator guides helps students create a more resourceful world through STEM investigations. Created with Itron, these resources are designed to help foster dialogue on the importance of energy and resource utilization.
• Career Videos: This collection of career videos of employees working for the planet supports educators’ efforts to drive deeper student engagement by connecting classroom lessons to the real-world. This content is available from the STEM Careers Coalition, an alliance of industries and non-profit organizations, reaching 11M+ students with equitable access to STEM resources and career connections since its launch in 2019.

In addition, the Environmental Education Initiative – the first-of-its-kind effort to help students engage in environmental science – offers a new collection of resources. The new content includes a video series that introduces students to regional facts and knowledge, as well as student-driven videos showcasing authentic stories of everyday students tackling problems. Additional resources include ready-to-use lessons and student activities exploring subjects such as energy, forestry, water, and more.

Finally, elementary and middle school educators and students are invited to the Earth Day Career Connect Spotlight Event on April 25, 2025. Starting at 10 AM ET, students will have the opportunity to connect with leaders from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Mount Washington Observatory, the LEGO Group’s Build the Change, Bat Conservation International, and more. During these connections, students will discover various career paths as they learn about important scientific topics, such as vulnerable species, manufacturing, and weather. This event is brought to you by Discovery Education’s award-winning Career Connect feature, which is now available to all users of Discovery Education Experience. Learn more and register here.

“Discovery Education is thrilled to provide students with dynamic digital resources that encourage them to be curious about the world they live in,” said Lance Rougeux, Senior Vice President of Curriculum Instruction and Student Engagement at Discovery Education. “This new collection of resources empowers educators to engage their classrooms in explorations of nature and connect what is learned in the classroom to the wider world.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, K-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and strategic alliances, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences that engage all students and support 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. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts
Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email: gmaliska@dicoveryed.com