The Morton Arboretum Receives Environmental Award

Tree Museum Also To Join Global Conservation Effort

LISLE, IL (March 27, 2008) – The Morton Arboretum has received the Earth Flag award for environmental practices, and is taking part in a global effort to reduce energy use and thereby, reduce carbon emissions.

DuPage County Tuesday awarded the Earth Flag, and presented a commendation citing the Arboretum’s “exemplary efforts” in recycling and “overall environmental concern.”

The Arboretum has set “an extraordinary example for everyone within the County and beyond,” said Robert Schillerstrom, DuPage County Board Chairman, at ceremonies in the county complex in Wheaton.

The nonprofit organization, S.C.A.R.C.E. (School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education) operates DuPage County’s environmental education program, and presented the Earth Flag to Arboretum employees. The three-foot-by-five-foot Earth Flag is made from recycled soda pop bottles, and features a blue background with a representation of the earth.

S.C.A.R.C.E. recommends to the county which organizations should receive an Earth Flag, and the group’s founder, Kay McKeen, said she recommended the Arboretum because:

• It provides an ongoing, “comprehensive” recycling program for the entire Arboretum
• It buys only 100% recycled paper
• It retrofitted lighting fixtures to utilize more energy-efficient lighting
• It allows bicycling, and maintains a no-idling policy for buses, both of which reduce air pollution
• S.C.A.R.C.E. trained at least 75 percent of Arboretum staffers on environmentally-friendly practices

The Arboretum, which has been “green” for 85 years, plants approximately 400 trees every year. Among the many benefits, trees filter pollutants from the air, reduce greenhouse gases, help prevent floods, and reduce heat.

The organization’s parking lot is a model of stormwater management. Rainwater filters through the paver bricks, which trap debris and contaminants. This results in clean water flowing into nearby Meadow Lake. In turn, this water, rather than potable water, is used to irrigate trees and other plants in the Arboretum’s central area. Inquiries about the parking lot come in every week, according to Peggy Pelkonen, who heads the Arboretum’s Resource Conservation Committee. S.C.A.R.C.E. brings teachers and community officials to see the parking lot several times a year.

The Arboretum also lends its support to global efforts on energy conservation. This Saturday, March 29, it will take part in “Earth Hour,” extinguishing lights on Arboretum grounds from 8 – 9 p.m., including those illuminating the familiar Arboretum signs along Interstate 88 and Route 53. The Arboretum is also encouraging its members and all others to join in the “lights off” effort as well. The aim is to raise awareness about the need to reduce greenhouse gases, and to inspire organizations and homeowners to make changes that will result in reduced energy conservation throughout the year.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,134 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074 to learn more.

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