USDA AND MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY TO JOIN FORCES IN D.C. EFFORT

                                              Release No. 0242.97
MEDIA ADVISORY

                                  Jill Cherpack  (610) 975-4186
                                  Rick Alexander (202) 205-1134

USDA AND MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY TO JOIN FORCES IN D.C. EFFORT

Community Pride Day to Feature Neighborhood Cleanup Projects

     WASHINGTON, July 21, 1997--U.S. Department of Agriculture employees,
including Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck, will join community members in a
neighborhood clean-up project in the Mount Pleasant area of the District of
Columbia on Wednesday morning, July 23, 1997.  The event is part of the
Clinton Administration's plan of action for the District.  Participants will
help with tree care, debris removal, and painting the trim on the Mount
Pleasant library.

     Wednesday's neighborhood clean-up is part of USDA's Urban Environmental
Resource Initiative, an effort to improve the natural resources in the
District and foster volunteerism, community service, and conservation
education.  Through the initiative, USDA will work with partners to revitalize
open space and neighborhoods, improve wildlife habitat, improve water quality
by planting trees along streams and rivers, and develop neighborhood tree and
shrub nurseries.  The initiative was formally kicked-off by Agriculture
Secretary Dan Glickman on April 24 at the John Burroughs Elementary School in
Northeast. 

Who:  Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck and volunteers from USDA and the Mount
Pleasant community.

What:  Community Pride Day featuring neighborhood clean-up project

When:  Wednesday, July 23, 1997  8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Where:  Participants will gather at Lamont Park (corner of Lamont and Mount
Pleasant Street, NW) and will move to activity sites along Mount Pleasant
Street and at the following:

Corner of Lamont and 16th Street, NW (Mount Pleasant library)
Corner of Park Road and Mount Pleasant Street
Corner of Lamont and Mount. Pleasant Street, NW
Corner of Lamont and 17th Street, NW
Corner of 17th and Lamont Street, NW

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