NEW YORK, NY (September 24,
2008) – The spirit of America’s beautiful, wild
places blossomed at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers on
Wednesday evening, as the National Park
Foundation, charitable partner of the National
Park Service honored Mrs. Laura Bush and Discovery
Communications at the Foundation’s annual black-tie
“Expedition America!” gala and
fundraiser that raised $2.2 million to support the
national parks. Former Governor Pataki was also in
attendance, as conservation and nature were
celebrated at the beautiful river-front venue.
The National Park Foundation
recognized Mrs. Laura Bush with its highest honor,
the National Park Foundation Founders Award,
for strengthening the connection between the
American public and their national parks. Through
pioneering programs like First Bloom
and Junior Rangers, Mrs. Bush is
working to improve the natural habitats in our parks
and urban communities, and nurture a conservation
ethic in America’s youngest citizens.
Earlier in the day, Mrs. Bush helped the
Foundation make one of its three major investments
in New York City to connect urban youth to the
environment with a First Bloom
celebration at Hamilton Grange National Memorial.
Mrs. Bush has been a park enthusiast since her first
visit to Carlsbad Canyon as a girl scout. In October
2007, she presided over the National Park Foundation
Leadership Summit on Partnership and Philanthropy
which resulted in $54 million in new philanthropic
support for our parks. She has served as Honorary
Chair of the National Park Foundation since 2004.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding
leadership of our Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush,”
said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National
Park Foundation. “Through her support, Mrs. Bush has
helped us create opportunities for all of America’s
children to explore and experience the national
parks. It is a wonderful opportunity to recognize
someone who has done so much for our country, our
parks and as Honorary Chair of the National Park
Foundation.”
The National Park Foundation also presented David
Zaslav of Discovery Communications with its
Corporate Stewardship Award for Discovery’s
more than a decade of corporate stewardship for
parks, including its new Planet Green initiative
that deeply connects citizens to the environment and
unites us all in celebrating, preserving and
protecting the planet. Since 1996, Discovery has
contributed more than $30 million to support the
national parks.
“We are proud to honor Discovery for their
extraordinary commitment to the national parks,”
said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National
Park Foundation. “For more than 12 years, Discovery
has supported important projects like restoring the
Washington Monument, raising funds for the Flight 93
Memorial Campaign, and bringing about a new vision
for the National Mall. The company has, and
continues to produce captivating programming that
connects millions of new citizens to the national
parks.”
Regan Gammon, Vice Chair of the National Park
Foundation said, “This gala has raised an amazing
$2.2 million including a generous contribution from
the Bank of America Foundation to help launch
education initiatives for the National Parks
Centennial. I want to thank all of the individuals
and organizations that participated in this
evening’s event, the most successful fundraising
event in National Park Foundation history.”
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 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. For more information visit
www.nationalparks.org