.
ATLANTA, Nov. 18, 2008 - Softscribe Inc., a technology public
relations firm focused on driving sales for companies targeting the
green hospitality
and tourism, U.S.
government and related vertical markets, today announced it will sponsor
the Georgia Department of Natural Resources� annual Youth
Birding Competition again next year. 2009 will mark Softscribe�s fourth
consecutive year to sponsor the Competition, beginning with the event�s
inception in 2006.
The 2008 competition drew more participants than ever�126 young people
ages three to 18. All across Georgia, they spotted or heard approximately
200 bird species during the 24-hour event in May, and raised $3,642 to
support the state�s conservation efforts. The event concluded with a banquet
and awards ceremony at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center near Mansfield,
Georgia, for which Softscribe provided prizes�copies of the popular reference
book, The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley (ISBN 0-679-45122-6).
�Our program would not be possible without the generous support of our
sponsors, including Softscribe, The Environmental Resources Network, The
Georgia Ornithological Society, and the Atlanta Audubon Society," said
Tim Keyes, Georgia DNR wildlife biologist
in charge of the Youth Birding Competition and founder of the event. �Thanks
to them, the Competition continues to grow every year. We added an art
competition this year for T-shirt designs, and next year we will add a
journaling component to encourage writing, sketching and careful observation
of species throughout the year.� The 2009 Youth Birding Competition is
scheduled for April 25-26.
| Julie Keyser-Squires, vice president
of Softscribe Inc. which does marketing
for hospitality and tourism, said the firm�s sponsorship reinforces
its commitment to help young people develop good habits in the digital
age. �We love technology. It is our livelihood,� she said. �But we also
understand that technology is meant to free us, not consume us. When children
devote all their after-school hours and Saturdays indoors with video games
or TV, they are losing something very precious�not only a connection to
the natural world, but also the ability to nurture lifelong learning skills
that can enrich their lives into adulthood.�
A birder herself, Keyser-Squires volunteers at the events, as does Michael
Squires, Softscribe�s president. �Everyone has seen the movement toward
�green� today, as corporations do their part to protect the environment
and parents and teachers encourage fitness and healthy eating habits among
children,� said Michael Squires, who co-founded and volunteered at the
School by the Chattahoochee River science program for teens several years
ago. �To help children carry the green movement with them into the future,
they must interact with the natural world around them now; programs like
the Youth Birding Competition can help. We are also big fans of Tim
and Alice Keyes, and appreciate their work with young people.� |
Julie Keyser-Squires and Michael Squires,
Softscribe Inc.
|
.
Keyes� motivation for launching the Georgia Youth Birding Competition
was frustration in being the youngest person at birding events, until he
competed in the World Series of birding in New Jersey several years ago.
He was impressed by the number of children also competing; there were about
20 youth teams. Shortly afterwards, he secured grant funding for the Georgia
event.
For more information on the Youth Birding Competition and how to participate
in the 2009 competition, contact Tim Keyes: (478) 994-1438 or [email protected].
 About
Softscribe® Inc.
Founded in 1999, Softscribe Inc. imaginatively blends emerging new
media with traditional public relations + software development (need a
widget?) to help companies targeting the green Hospitality and Tourism,
US government and related vertical markets drive sales and reach their
strategic business objectives. The company does this with an emphasis
on relationships, deep industry expertise and a strong history of proven
results. Softscribe�s best-in-class clients include Aptech Computer
Systems, Inc., Gold Key Solutions, Flyte Systems, Hawaiian Mahogany, JDA
Software, NORTHWIND Maestro-PMS, The Rainmaker Group, SRA International,
TravelCLICK and many other leading technology and service companies.
For more information please visit http://www.softscribeinc.com/.
|