ATA World Magazine Article

ATA Green and Recycling was highlighted in the latest edition of the ATA World Magazine.

"Students ata ATA Martial Arts in Golden, Colo., are demonstration that the martial arts are not just about self-defense. They're also about defending the environemnt. Led by their school owner and chief isntructor, Mr. JeffPederson, these young leaders and their families have commited to performing 1,000 acts of "environmental self defense" this year. They're taking all sorts of approaches to reach that goal- from printing double sided documents to buying electric lawn mowers - documenting thier efforts on a special Green Team blog. actiongreenteam.blogspot.com

Pederson's studnets are also using their green awareness to improve thei community. ATA summer camp included a "litter walk" in the schools neighborhood. Students will plant trees all around their school in September. And the Student leadership team is working on adopting a highway in the area.

"Kids hear 'go green go recycle' all the time but they don't always understand how to do it." says Pederson. "Our students feel empowered. And because of their Taekwondo training, they know they can create change."

We're Back....

We're Back..... It has been months since our last ATA Green Post. Back in April I was made an honorary member of another green team the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. (I know how funny it may sound, I'm chuckling even as typing this) But seriously Myself and Mr. Mark Burns spent the entire summer traveling across the country with the TMNT on their 25th anniversary tour.

It was great being able to meet their fans as well as helping to coordinate martial artists to perform along side with their favorite Turtle and for huge crowds. Check out some of the awesome pictures on the ATA Tour blog as well as the official TMNT 25 Site.

This experience allowed me to meet many new Martial Arts instructors and spread the word about our Green Movement. The Response has been great! Families across the country have been very proactive and creating their own community projects and inspiring others to perform acts of environmental self defense. I look forward to receiving updates from all of the new schools on the team as well as personal stories from members. Each of these will get us one step closer to our goal of 40,000 acts of environmental self defense this year.

On another note we are working hard on a full release of our site which will include this blog and many new features.

-Jason Morgan