Arbor Week Fun is "Out of this World" at The Morton Arboretum

LISLE, IL (March 12, 2009) - Arbor Week at The Morton Arboretum (April 18-26) is packed with fun, family events that bring to life the many and varied benefits of trees. These events build on the Arboretum's 87-year commitment to greening by helping people appreciate and interact with trees and plants. After all, even one tree makes a difference in keeping our world greener and healthier.

Don't miss an exciting and unique chance to meet former NASA astronaut Mark Lee, a veteran of four space flights who has traveled over 13 million miles in space. He has planted more than 140,000 trees on his farm! Find out what occurred during his spaceflights that motivated him in "Observations From Space," April 19, at 1 and 3 p.m. Lee will show behind-the-scenes video of what it's like to train for a space shuttle flight and fly a mission. Afterwards, he'll be available for pictures with your family in his flight jacket. Tickets are $12/person, which includes Arboretum admission (discounts for Arboretum members).

See gorgeous, high-fashion clothes for women made of bamboo, hemp, special Japanese paper, herbs, and other natural products. Eco-fashion designers on the cutting-edge reveal their stunning creations during the brand-new "Earth Day Green Tea." As models show off the fashions, guests will relax and sip specially-blended teas and enjoy a variety of treats from local and organic food sources. Hear an informative presentation that explains all the "green" buzzwords, such as "sustainable." Tickets are $50. April 22: 1-3 p.m.

Share your thoughts with others about the importance of trees in the "Treewhispers" project. Help create cards from recycled paper, and then write an environmental message on them-even incorporating leaves, grasses, or other natural items. We'll hang the completed cards on trees in the Visitor Center for all to enjoy. April 24-26: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Kids make all sorts of discoveries about spring trees, and pot a seedling to take home (while supplies last), April 25-26 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., in the award-winning Children's Garden. Kids can also make a plant container out of newspaper and plant a tree seed in it to grow at home during "The New Tree Times" in the Children's Garden, weekends in April: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting)

Enjoy the inspirational life story of one of our country's most famous naturalists, in "Mountain Days-The John Muir Musical." The show, featuring poetic lyrics and a sweeping score, reveals the early founder of the national park system as a conflicted man, trying to balance his love of family with his compulsion for the outdoors while being unwillingly drawn into the politics of preservation. Mountain Days book and lyrics by Mary Bracken Phillips, music and orchestrations by Craig Bohmler, originally produced by the Willows Theatre and the Chronicle Pavilion Associates. April 26: 1-3:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-25 (includes Arboretum admission); to order, call 630-968-0074.

A cherished event is the Arbor Day Plant Sale. Visitors can choose from a variety of high-quality, cutting-edge plants that are hardy for our environment. All Ages, Visitor Center parking lot. (Open to Arboretum members only April 24-25)
April 26: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Immerse yourself in "The Green Boutique," an eco-experience featuring many of the latest green choices in the marketplace, including environmentally-friendly products for home décor, cosmetics, luxury apparel and more. April 19: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Show your support for trees in the traditional Arbor Day tree-planting ceremony at the Arboretum. All ages. Check at Visitor Center for location.
April 24: 11-11:30 a.m.

Meet Jim Ballowe, author of "A Man of Salt and Trees: The Life of Joy Morton." Jim will sign copies and answer questions about his book documenting the life of Joy Morton, founder of the Arboretum and the Morton Salt Company. April 25: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Those visiting The Arboretum Store will receive the gift of nature: free with every $25 purchase, a free acorn planting to celebrate Arbor Day! April 24: 10am - 5p.m.

Arbor Day Admission (April 24) is free to all. Otherwise, unless a fee is specified, all Arboretum events and destinations including the Children's Garden are free with Arboretum admission. The 2009 rates are:
$11/adult, ($7 on Wednesday), ages 18-64
$10/senior, ($6 on Wednesday), ages 65 and over
$8/child ($5 on Wednesday), ages 2-17
Under age 2 is free
Parking is free

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges JEWEL-OSCO as the Supporting Sponsor of Arbor Week.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 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, click About, and then Press Room, or call to learn more.

Media Contact: Gina Tedesco, 630-725-2103, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it