The Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania (EFP/GreenWorks) is a 501©3 nonprofit organization. Formed in 1991, its goal is to educate, promote and broaden the financial support of volunteer based environmental, conservation and recreation organizations that work to directly benefit the health and quality of life of the people of Pennsylvania. The mission is fulfilled through communications programs such as the GreenWorks television series, documentaries, and companion websites and through the provision of media production services to other nonprofit organizations.

Since production began in 1997, the GreenWorks television series and GreenWorks documentaries have gained a statewide audience and have been recognized for excellence numerous times, including: national “Innovations Award” presented by the Council of State Governments (1998); Silver Award for “Green Building” at the Chicago International Film and Video Festival (1999); Emmy® Award for Outstanding Public Affairs Series Mid Atlantic Region (2000); and two firsts and an honorable mention in the EarthVision Environmental Film & Video Festival (2002).

The www.GreenWorks.tv website — which hosts the largest collection of environmental video programming on the Web as well as interactive educational programming, environmental workshops, live webcasts and more — has received comparable acclaim: Communicator Crystal Award of Excellence in the Interactive category (1999); PRC Environmental Achievement Award (1999); Council of State Governments E-Government Award for Innovation (2000). The GreenWorks site received more than one million unique visitors in 2002 and continues to grow.

GreenWorks television productions often reach more than ten million viewers through cable access and public television stations, and many more through video streaming on the web. GreenWorks web and television productions have been supported by funding from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, US Environmental Protection Agency, and numerous corporate and foundation supporters.

GreenWorks’ “people inspiring people” approach has created ripple effects outside of Pennsylvania, and the organization’s programming and communications expertise has been sought by partners from all across the nation. GreenWorks recently created a distribution and co-production agreement with a PBS station in Northern California; is working with the University of Nebraska to create a web-based video library and ultimately a localized version of www.greenworks.tv; and is in discussion with other potential partners, from Florida to the Great Lakes.

As it expands beyond the borders of Pennsylvania, GreenWorks is making the transition and by January, 2004, will be operating as GreenTreks Network, Inc. (stay tuned for more information). Learn more about the new GreenTreks Program from our informative brochure (PDF File, ~650KB. You need Adobe Acrobat to read this file)

More About the GreenWorks Program:
GreenWorks' mission is to spread one simple message: real people are making a difference to protect our environment-and you can, too! Through a combination of new and old media technologies, we share informative and entertaining stories that explain the many roles that individuals play in caring for our world. By doing so, GreenWorks inspires people every day to take part in the effort to make our planet a cleaner, healthier and happier place for everyone.

GreenWorks began in 1997 as a half-hour television series that spotlights the positive things people have done to help the environment. Over the years, this innovative series has told the stories of hundreds of everyday environmental heroes. From fencing instructor Mark Masters to lifelong farmer Bill Gunser, people have always been at the heart of this Emmy-award winning production.

From television, GreenWorks moved on to other forms of media. Our award-winning, interactive website-www.GreenWorks.tv-is home to the world's largest collection of online environmental videos. The site also hosts weekly features produced expressly for the Internet, as well as streaming wildlife webcams and exclusive webcasts of live events. GreenWorks.tv connects people from all over the world to over a thousand organizations working on green issues ranging on everything from environmental education to bicycle recycling to pollutant-free paints.

Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, a colorful and informative newspaper supplement known as the GreenWorks Gazette is now available. The Gazette is packed with short articles and advice columns on subjects as diverse as recycling motor oil to how to volunteer in a watershed cleanup. The Gazette puts practical, easy-to-understand environmental tips into the hands of literally millions of people statewide.

And media productions such as television programs, web communications, public radio and newspapers are just the beginning. GreenWorks has also developed a new membership program to provide our audience with even more useful environmental information-crafting our resources specifically to individuals' needs. And through our workplace giving and mini-grant program known as the Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania we have also had a direct hand in funding critical environmental work.

From Watersheds.tv to GreenWorks Video Productions, we always have new projects in the work… The point is that GreenWorks is an environmental education organization focused on providing ordinary people with realistic solutions. Everyone can make a difference for a healthier environment-and that includes you!

For information on becoming a member of GreenWorks, click here.

To learn more about the resources available on GreenWorks.tv, click here.