GLASSLANDS COLLECTION - Mark Raynes Roberts and The Natural Step Canada focus the lens and bring clarity to strategic sustainability education at the Green Living Show

April 13, 2011, Toronto, Canada--Renowned Canadian crystal artist, Mark Raynes Roberts, and one of the world's leaders in sustainability education, The Natural Step Canada, are jointly developing an exciting new strategic sustainability education program uniting art with nature.

Their first shared initiative is the artist-inspired GLASSLANDS Collection of photographic images, which will debut at the Green Living Show:

• April 15-17
• Booth #816
• Direct Energy Building, Exhibition Place
• Toronto, ON

Raynes Roberts' crystal art pieces have been presented to royalty and global leaders in business, the arts, sports and sciences.  His proposed GLASSLANDS Collection - made up of 10 optical crystal/reclaimed glass sculptures installed in natural settings - embody his artistic passion and tap themes closest to his heart.  The GLASSLANDS themes include Interconnection, Balance, Limits, Industry, Fragility, Urgency, Transformation, Innovation, Cooperation and Harmony.  A comprehensive suite of educational materials supplied by The Natural Step Canada will support the exhibition uniting art and nature.

"Mark Raynes Roberts' GLASSLANDS collection offers a unique lens through which we can view our beautiful but fragile environment," says Kelly Hawke Baxter, Executive Director of The Natural Step Canada. "It inspires us to see the world differently and understand the need for greater sustainability in our lives and in our work."

"The GLASSLANDS Collection initiative," Hawke Baxter continues, "provides an exciting opportunity to engage Canadians in addressing the most critical sustainability challenges facing the planet and finding solutions together. We look forward to supporting and participating in this inspiring and hopeful project."

"I am very honoured to be working in conjunction with The Natural Step Canada," says Raynes Roberts, "and believe the GLASSLANDS Collection can become a valuable asset and unique visual conduit for clear communication on the issues of sustainability education."

The Natural Step Canada is a dynamic non-profit organization with over a decade of experience helping organizations and individuals understand and make meaningful progress toward sustainability. Through award-winning learning programs and advisory, coaching and process facilitation services, The Natural Step Canada translates the fundamentals of sustainability into practical steps businesses and communities can take to achieve lasting change.

The organization has worked with hundreds of corporations, municipalities, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations who have proven that moving strategically toward sustainability leads to new opportunities, reduced costs, and dramatically reduced ecological and social impacts. They are part of a growing global sustainability network with projects in 18 countries.

Raynes Roberts' newly designed  Scotiabank EcoLiving Awards will also be unveiled at the Green Living Show with a gala event planned for June 2, recognizing three leading Canadians who are making a significant contribution to the environmental world.

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For further information:

Heather Kirk
Immedia PR
Tel: 416 500 1752
heather@immediapr.com

Mark Raynes Roberts
GLASSLANDS - Founder & Artist
Tel: 416 962 2100 
mark@raynesandco.com
www.markraynesroberts.com

Josh Snider
Manager, Communications
The Natural Step Canada
Tel: 613 748 3001 
jsnider@naturalstep.ca