ConservationStrategy®  DESIGNS DIVERSITY PROGRAM FOR UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact:     Mark Van Putten                                   ConservationStrategy                            (703) 444-1522                      Reston, Virginia (December 10, 2004) – ConservationStrategy announced today that it has been retained by the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment to design a "Conservation in Black & White" program for the School's January 2005 celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. The program is scheduled for January 11-12, 2005, at the Ann Arbor, Michigan, campus of the School of Natural Resources and Environment. Activities will include: A public presentation at 3:00 p.m. on January 11, 2005, by Jerome Ringo and Mark Van Putten on the future challenges faced by the environmental movement in diversifying its constituency and support; A case study of the School's successful work with inner-city Detroit high school students in restoring Riverside Park; A workshop on career opportunities in conservation for people of color; A panel discussion of the myths and barriers related to the interest and involvement of people of color in environmental issues and organizations. "We're excited about the opportunity to work with the UM School of Natural Resources and Environment on this important project," said Mark Van Putten, Principal of ConservationStrategy. "The future of the environmental movement depends on reaching out to people of color to identify common concerns and to expand the base for conservation." # # #