CHILDREN'S GARDEN RECEIVES NAVISTAR DONATION
THE MORTON ARBORETUM CHILDREN’S GARDEN DRAWS LARGE DONATION
Navistar Providing Significant Contribution For Children’s Science Education
LISLE, IL (January 17, 2011) – The Morton Arboretum Children’s Garden, which has attracted more than 1.5 million visitors and won six prestigious awards, has now received a $75,000 donation from Navistar to help children develop a lifelong love of nature through early experiences.
“As the Morton Arboretum’s new neighbor, Navistar is proud to partner with this prestigious organization to engage and inspire visitors in the Children’s Garden and show our commitment to the community,” says Don Sharp, Navistar Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “Navistar has a strong commitment to the environment as demonstrated by the very significant investments we make in our emissions-compliant products, and we’re pleased to further extend this commitment through our support of the Arboretum.”
Susan Wagner, Arboretum Vice President of Education and Information, says “Navistar’s gift helps the Arboretum provide world-class programs that engage children in the exploration of trees and nature through play and authentic, immersive experience. Research shows that positive, early experiences in nature encourage children to be good stewards of the environment now and in adulthood.”
Nationally, the Children’s Garden is one of the largest gardens of its kind with four acres of trees, shrubs, aquatic plants and play spaces – and is one of the best and most unique outdoor destinations in Chicagoland.
The donation helps support a variety of innovative programming for children and families including the Morton Arboretum Children’s Garden Youth Volunteers (Macgyvers), teens trained to lead younger children in seasonal activities such as planting, harvesting, and maintaining gardens in the Children’s Garden.
Families can borrow a backpack filled with nature guides, binoculars, and other tools for scientific exploration. “Hands-on” activities are offered in the Children’s Garden daily to encourage children to use their creativity and imagination to discover nature’s exciting secrets.
The Garden grows curiosity as children splash through streams, climb a colossal acorn, and slide down giant tree roots all day long. Kids explore, learn, and play in ten garden areas designed for science and nature discovery.
A world-renowned leader in tree science and education, working to save and plant trees, The Morton Arboretum is a private, nonprofit organization that is supported through generous contributions and grants from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other community organizations.
The 1,700-acre outdoor museum features magnificent 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. Central Time until sunset. 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 Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.
About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce® brand diesel engines, IC Bus™ brand school and commercial buses, Monaco RV brands of recreational vehicles, and Workhorse® brand chassis for motor homes and step vans. The company also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com/newsroom.
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Allison Phelps, (office) 630-719-5768,
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