On
Wednesday, September 24,
2008, the spirit
of America’s beautiful
wild places will blossom
at the Pier 60, Chelsea
Piers, as the
National Park Foundation
honors Mrs. Laura Bush
and Discovery
Communications at the
annual black-tie “Expedition
America!”
gala and fundraiser.
The
National Park Foundation
will present Mrs. Laura
Bush with the
illustrious Founder’s
Award. As the
Foundation’s Honorary
Chair, Mrs. Bush has
been instrumental in
spreading the ethics of
environmental
stewardship and
preservation in America,
and in connecting youth
to our country’s natural
and historic heritage.
In 2007, Mrs. Bush
launched First
Bloom with the
National Park
Foundation, in honor of
the late Lady Bird
Johnson, as the first
nation-wide program
designed to give
children a chance to get
in touch with their
natural environment by
reintroducing and
cultivating native
plants in urban areas.
First Bloom
programs are now
thriving in five pilot
cities: Austin, Los
Angeles, New York City,
Philadelphia, and
Washington, DC.
The
National Park Foundation
will also present
Discovery Communications
with its Corporate
Stewardship Award,
for its steadfast
partnership in working
to protect and preserve
some of America’s
greatest places.
Through authentic and
compelling storytelling,
Discovery Communications
has fueled America’s
passion to learn more
about our planet. Since
1996, Discovery's
contribution to the
national parks has
topped $30 million in
value and has supported
specific initiatives to
restore the Washington
Monument, raise funds
for the Flight 93
Memorial Campaign, and
bring about a new vision
for the National Mall.
Discovery has connected
millions of new citizens
to the parks through
captivating programs on
their channels and
through park visitor
films called ParkDocs
featuring nearly eighty
of our national parks.
Today Discovery
continues to demonstrate
its leadership with the
historic launch of
Planet Green, the
company's new initiative
that deeply connects
citizens to the
environment and unites
us all in celebrating,
preserving and
protecting the planet.
More than 600 guests
representing business,
philanthropy, education,
preservation,
environmental
stewardship, recreation,
youth, the arts, and
national, state and
local government, will
join Mrs. Bush and the
National Park Foundation
to celebrate the spirit
of conservation that
protects and enriches
America’s magnificent
wild landscapes. Guests
will enjoy cocktails,
dinner and entertainment
overlooking the
breathtaking views of
the Hudson River. All
proceeds benefit the
National Park
Foundation.
Chartered by Congress in
1967, 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 to continue a
century-long tradition
of private philanthropy
ensuring funding to
preserve and enhance the
legacy of our national
parks.
WHAT:
The National Park
Foundation honors
Mrs. Laura Bush, the
Foundation’s Honorary
Chair, and Discovery
Communications at the
annual “Expedition
America!”
black-tie gala and
fundraiser.
Where:
Pier 60,
Chelsea Piers
23rd
St and the Hudson River
When:
Wednesday,
September 24, 2008
6:00 p.m. – Cocktail
Reception
7:00 p.m. – Dinner and
Awards Ceremony
SPONSORSHIP:
·
$100,000 –
National Park
Trailblazer
- 2 tables for 10 in
premier location;
prominent recognition
from podium at dinner;
logo on screen at event;
listing in marketing
materials and press
release; listing in
invitation and program;
recognition in National
Park Foundation annual
report
·
$50,000
– National
Park Explorer
- table for ten in
premier location;
prominent recognition at
reception; recognition
in Parks
magazine; recognition on
the National Park
Foundation Website;
listing in invitation
and program; recognition
in National Park
Foundation annual report
·
$25,000
– : National
Park Pioneer
- table for ten in prime
location; recognition on
the National Park
Foundation Website;
listing in invitation
and program; recognition
in National Park
Foundation annual report
·
$10,000
– National
Park Adventurer
– table for ten;
listing in invitation
and program; recognition
in National Park
Foundation annual report
***For event and
ticket information,
please contact Betty
Hallman at 202.354.6476,
or via email at
bhallman@nationalparks.org