“I like the planting because I do a lot of planting with my grandma and I love pulling. I just like to plant when I’m bored.”
–Jordan Ross, Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, 4th grade
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- National Park Foundation Helps Independence NHP Teach Local Kids To Plant Native Flowers As Part Of First Bloom Program Supported By ARAMARK
National Park Foundation Helps Independence NHP Teach Local Kids To Plant Native Flowers As Part Of First Bloom Program Supported By ARAMARK
Published on 05/20/2008
Boys and Girls Develop Strong Conservation Ethic through the “First Bloom” Program
PHILADELPHIA, PA - In a place where the old cracked Bell still proclaims Liberty and halls will forever echo the words, “We the People,” National Park Foundation representatives and volunteers from ARAMARK today joined staff from Independence National Historical Park to participate in Philadelphia’s first planting of the First Bloom program with children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.
“The First Bloom program is an opportunity to provide all children with a meaningful outdoor experience,” said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “Through First Bloom, children are taught lessons of environmental stewardship at a young age so they can develop a strong conservation ethic and become connected and invested in the world around them. We thank ARAMARK for their generous support of this program and for their ongoing commitment to preserving our parks.”
The students have been learning about the First Bloom program over several weeks of curriculum-based lessons. Throughout spring, Independence National Historical Park and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Germantown and Nicetown participated in the First Bloom pilot program. The children explored the park's natural features, learned about the relationships between wildlife and native plants, and helped remove invasive non-native species in the park.
Today, joined by National Park Service Rangers from Independence National Historic Park and volunteers from ARAMARK, children shared the First Bloom garden designs they created and demonstrated what they have learned about native plants. Native plants that are especially attractive to birds, bees, and butterflies were planted in the area south of Carpenters’ Hall in Independence National Historical Park.
“ARAMARK is proud to support the National Park Foundation and our National Parks through the First Bloom project,” said Bruce Fears, president, ARAMARK Harrison Lodging. “Today’s youth represent our future environmental stewards and this program enables us to educate them about the importance of making a connection between the preservation of National Parks and protection of their local communities’ natural resources.”
The children planted more than eighty perennials native to Philadelphia including American Beautyberries, Summersweets, Sweet Azaleas, Lowbush Blueberries, Moonbeams, and Tiny Dancers in a section of the park adjacent to Carpenter Hall which hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774, and near the 18th Century Garden that displays a plaque honoring Lady Bird Johnson.
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, 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.
With $1 million in initial funding secured by ARAMARK, in 2008, First Bloom launched 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.
About ARAMARK ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. In FORTUNE magazine's 2008 list of "America's Most Admired Companies," ARAMARK was ranked number one in its industry, consistently ranking since 1998 as one of the top three most admired companies in its industry as evaluated by peers and analysts. ARAMARK also ranked first in its industry in the 2007 FORTUNE 500 survey. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 250,000 employees serving clients in 19 countries.
A unit of the National Park Service, Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA, was created by an Act of Congress on June 28, 1948. Independence NHP, accredited by the American Association of Museums, covers almost 54 acres in Philadelphia’s Old City, and includes Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, Franklin Court, and other historic buildings associated with the founding of the United States. The park is open daily with the exception of Christmas day. A visit to Independence National Historical Park should start at the Independence Visitor Center, located at 6th and Market Streets. Here, visitors can pick up a park brochure, park map, and free timed tickets for guided tours of Independence Hall.
Contact Information
Anne Marek, National Park Foundation
(202)354-6480, amarek@nationalparks.org
