Vin Cipolla, president and CEO of the National
Park Foundation and Roland Betts, Board member
of the National Park Foundation and owner of Chelsea Piers.
The
spirit of America's beautiful wild places blossomed at Pier 60, Chelsea
Piers on Wednesday, September 24 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 Bloomand 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.
The National Park Foundation also presented David Zaslav of Discovery
Communications with its Corporate Stewardship Awardfor
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.
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.
David Zazlav, president and CEO of Discovery Communications.
