KINGSTON, R.I. – June 10, 2011 – The University of Rhode Island Transportation Center is offering a free summer program for high school students who are interested in sustainable landscape architecture. The Green Design Academy will be held July 11-15, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the URI Kingston campus. This is the first time the academy has been offered.

The Green Design Academy will feature examples of sustainable development projects and career options via classroom instruction, guest speakers and field trips. Topics will include: Sustainability on Foot, Sustainability on Wheels, Sustainability on Tracks, Design and Communication, Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Community and Coastal Ecology.

Field trips will include: the South County Bike Trail, Boston, Block Island and Wakefield. Free transportation will be offered daily from a central pick-up location in Providence.

Other free summer programs run by the URI Transportation Center include the Construction Academy, the Engineering Academy, the Business Academy and the Summer Transportation Institute. All of the programs are available to high school students, except for Summer Transportation Institute, which is open to middle school students.

Enrollment is limited. For more information on any of the Center’s free summer programs, or to receive an application, contact Tory Perrotta at 874-7075 or toryp@mail.uri.edu. Information is also available at www.uritc.org.