“By bringing the values of conservation and good environmental stewardship to participants' backyards, the program teaches children, even those who don't live near a national park, to share in the ownership of these fabulous public spaces.”
–Mrs. Laura Bush
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- National Park Foundation Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush Introduces First Bloom Program In Dallas
National Park Foundation Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush Introduces First Bloom Program In Dallas
DALLAS, TX – National Park Foundation President and CEO, Vin Cipolla and the Foundation’s first Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush today introduced the First Bloom program to Dallas, Texas with twenty-six sixth grade students from Williams Preparatory School for a lesson about native plants, sustainable garden design, and the national parks. Teaching kids and families how they can support the environment is an increasingly important job these days.
“Through First Bloom we are connecting kids to the national parks through the native plants that they can find in their neighborhoods and backyards, “said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “Through the planting process we are encouraging responsibility and environmental stewardship at a young age so that as adults they will have a strong conservation ethic.”
The Williams Prep students will participate in day-long First Bloom lessons and plant seeds from Texas natives, the Bluebonnet, the Black-eyed Susan, the Purple Coneflower and the Indian Blanket in compostable ecotainer cups, donated by International Paper. Many of these seeds will be transplanted in a new native plant garden at the school designed by the students and some will be planted in the First Bloom native plant gardens at LBJ National Historical Park in Austin.
First Bloom was launched in 2007 by the Foundation's Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush at the historic National Park Foundation Leadership Summit in Austin Texas. The program provides children who may have limited access to the outdoors with the opportunity to get their hands in the dirt and experience planting and gardening for the first time in their neighborhoods and our national parks. The program partners include the National Park Service, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and community organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs that serve children in local communities.
First Bloom connects the legacy of two great Texan First Ladies - Lady Bird Johnson, whose conservation leadership helped establish the green movement in our country, and the legacy of another First Lady, National Park Foundation Honorary Chair Mrs. Laura Bush, who shares Mrs. Johnson’s love of native plants and wildflowers. Mrs. Bush has also used her public platform to shine a light on our national parks and create opportunities for all of America’s children and families to explore them through programs like Junior Rangers.
In addition to the plantings, the National Park Foundation also announced a grant that will allow the school to plant the garden they have designed and take the students on a field trip to LBJ Ranch National Historical Park.
With $1 million in initial funding secured by ARAMARK through the Yawkey Foundation, in 2008, First Bloom is launching in the following cities this spring: Austin, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
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. 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.
Contact Information
Anne Marek, National Park Foundation
(202)354-6480, amarek@nationalparks.org
