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del.icio.usNational Park Foundation Honorary Chair Mrs. Laura Bush Invites Kids to Participate in First Bloom Lessons at White House Garden Tours
Published on 10/18/2008
WASHINGTON, DC – At the invitation of National Park Foundation Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush, children and mentors from the Culmore Character and Alexandria-Olympic Boys and Girls Clubs today participated in the third installment of the First Bloom program at The White House Garden Tours.
The children are part of the first Washington, DC group to begin working with First Bloom and have been learning about the program and the importance of environmental stewardship over several weeks of curriculum-based lessons. Today, First Bloom kids had the opportunity to put their knowledge and skills to work as they guided children visiting The White House Garden Tours through a hands-on pollination lesson designed with the Pollinator Partnership and planted hundreds of native Black Eyed Susans in compostable and biodegradable ecotainer™ cups. As part of First Bloom, the children will care for these seeds at home and will ultimately plant them in their own backyards.
“We are thrilled to be bringing First Bloom to the backyard of our Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush for the third time,” said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “Through her leadership and support, Mrs. Bush has helped us create opportunities for all of America’s children and families to explore and experience the national parks. We hope that the First Bloom program will inspire America’s children to get outdoors and experience the natural world, following in the footsteps of a great First Lady and becoming connected and invested in the world around them.”
“Incorporating pollinators into First Bloom is a natural,” said Laurie Davies Adams, Executive Director of the Pollinator Partnership. “Animal pollinators, bees, butterflies, birds, bats and others are essential to the reproduction of 80% of the world’s flowering plants!”
Launched in October 2007 by Mrs. Laura Bush, First Bloom is a national conservation education program from the National Park Foundation that reaches out to urban youth in their communities to teach them the science of native plants, encouraging them to protect the environment in America’s celebrated national parks and in their own backyards. First Bloom was created by the National Park Foundation to honor the conservation legacy of Lady Bird Johnson and connect it with the legacy of another First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush, the first Honorary Chair of the National Park Foundation, and a passionate champion of America’s national parks. Partners in the initiative include the National Park Service, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and several local Boys and Girls Clubs.
With $1 million in initial funding secured by ARAMARK through the Yawkey Foundation, in 2008, First Bloom launched in the following cities: Austin, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The National Park Foundation plans to expand the First Bloom program to 19 U.S. parks in 2009.
One exciting aspect of the partnership between the National Park Foundation and the Pollinator Partnership is the opportunity to engage the over 120 partners of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) which is managed by the Pollinator Partnership. Together they will work to educate and engage the youth and public of this country in the critically important job of building pollinator habitat through the use of native plantings. Free, 24 page regional-specific pollinator friendly planting guides are available to everyone from NAPPC and the Partnership at www.pollinator.org/guides.htm.
About the National Park Foundation The National Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy ensuring funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the National Park Foundation does not receive federal appropriations for their support. In 2007, the Foundation had its best fundraising year ever bringing in $43 million dollars in support. The National Park Foundation serves to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant.
About the Pollinator Partnership For over a decade, the Pollinator Partnership has focused the world's attention on the growing plight of pollinators. Pollinators, essential components in the reproduction of most flowering plants and crops, bring us an estimated one out of every third bite of food. As an international nonprofit, the Pollinator Partnership is dedicated to supporting sustainable ecosystems and agriculture through the connections between people, plants and pollinators. Sponsored by tax-deductible donations, this work makes flowers and habitat bloom, bees and butterflies stay healthy, and food come safely to our tables. Our future flies on the wings of pollinators, and the Pollinator partnership works to ensure that healthy future for all.
Contact Information
Anne Marek, National Park Foundation
(202)354-6480, amarek@nationalparks.org
