“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 Honorary Chair Mrs. Laura Bush Introduces First City-Wide First Bloom Program In Boston
National Park Foundation Honorary Chair Mrs. Laura Bush Introduces First City-Wide First Bloom Program In Boston
Published on 06/22/2008
BOSTON, MA – In a place best known as “The Cradle of Liberty,” the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution and home to a brave many who fought for the belief that freedom can be extended to all, National Park Foundation President and CEO Vin Cipolla and the Foundation’s Honorary Chairwoman Mrs. Laura Bush today kicked off the first city-wide First Bloom program in Boston with more than one hundred students from Warren Prescott School and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston.
"Today I'm pleased to announce that Boston will become the site of
the first metro-wide First Bloom program in the nation. The city of Boston has a strong commitment to supporting its parks and
getting kids involved in their stewardship," said National Park Foundation Honorary Chair Mrs. Laura Bush. "First Bloom will add to
these efforts by bringing together the national parks and youth
organizations across Boston to help children learn more about the
importance of native species and how they can preserve their public
lands."
Joined by National Park Service Rangers from Boston area national parks and mentors from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston children spent time with Mrs. Bush, planting native Echinacea plants in a newly designed garden outside the Commandant’s House in Boston National Historical Park. These students are the first Boston group to begin working with First Bloom and they will help the children in other areas of Boston as they begin their own First Bloom programs and garden designs.
To kick off the event, kids had the opportunity to participate in First Bloom lessons and activities like “Shake a Shrub,” planting native seeds in compostable ecotainer™ cups, and learning about the basics of composting and of rope making.
“As we gather in Boston National Historical Park today, surrounded by more than three hundred and fifty years of American history, I am proud to announce that Boston has been designated as the first First Bloom city,” said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “We're thrilled to have the inspiration of our Honorary Chair Mrs. Laura Bush and the enthusiastic support of National Park Service Rangers and all of these young people to make these national parks in Boston greener. By planting seeds native to the area in a public garden, they are doing more than creating a beautiful space, they are helping to create a healthier environment.”
Today's event marked another landmark success for the First Bloom program, launched in 2007 by the Foundation's Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush, at the historic National Park Foundation Leadership Summit in Austin, Texas. Since the Leadership Summit, Mrs. Bush has helped introduce the First Bloom program to children and communities across the country. First Bloom kids have had the opportunity to plant native plants in New York City's Battery Park, to “Shake a Shrub” and plant natives in ecotainer™ cups at the first designated First Bloom school in Dallas, re-introduce native plants to an area of Everglades National Park overrun by invasive plants, and plant hundreds of native plants at the annual White House Garden Tours.
With $1 million in initial funding secured by ARAMARK through the Yawkey Foundation, in 2008, First Bloom launched in the following cities this spring: Austin, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The next planting event led by the Foundation's Honorary Chair Mrs. Laura Bush is scheduled for fall 2008 in Los Angeles.
"We are so honored to have been chosen to pilot the First Bloom program in the Boston area National Parks," said Terry Savage, Superintendent of Boston National Historical Park. "Mrs. Bush's passionate stewardship of the national parks is inspiring to all of us who work in and love these special places."
First Bloom 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.
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. In 2007, the National Park Foundation gave 44 million dollars to the National Park Service to support parks. 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
