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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 3, 2009
CONTACT
Leeann Lavin - 718-623-7289, leeannlavin@bbg.org
Kate Blumm: 718-623-7241, kateblumm@bbg.org
Dr. Peter H. Raven and Independence Community Foundation to be Honored at Brooklyn Botanic Garden's 2009 Spring Gala
Brooklyn, New York—June 3, 2009—For the first time, Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) will present its Better Earth Award to two recipients at the Garden's annual Spring Gala on June 9, 2009. Dr. Peter H. Raven, president of Missouri Botanical Garden and one of the world's foremost advocates for conservation and biodiversity, is to be honored, as is the Brooklyn-based Independence Community Foundation, which has been at the forefront of promoting economic growth, educational attainment, and sustainable community development throughout Brooklyn and the metropolitan area.
BBG's Better Earth Award was launched in 1992 by former BBG president Judy Zuk to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution toward making the world a better place. “Dr. Raven and the Independence Community Foundation have made extraordinary contributions to the well-being and sustainability of our communities both locally and globally. Through their vision and foresight they have each sought to protect and revitalize diversity, whether that is through conservation of ecosystems and natural resources or through strengthening the economic, educational, and cultural vitality of urban neighborhoods,” said Brooklyn Botanic Garden president Scot Medbury. “We are proud to honor this year's award recipients for their many contributions toward making the world a better place for all of us today and for future generations. They are an inspiration to us.”
Named a Hero for the Planet by Time magazine, Dr. Raven has dedicated his life to preserving biodiversity, conserving natural resources, and protecting ecosystems around the world. For the past three decades, he has served as president of the Missouri Botanical Garden and has provided visionary leadership to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Geographic Society, and the National Research Council, among many other organizations.
The Independence Community Foundation has deep roots in Brooklyn. Its creator, Independence Community Bank, was launched in 1850 and established a long and rich tradition of charitable giving in the communities it served. In the spring of 1998, the bank generously endowed a new charitable institution, the Independence Community Foundation. Ever since, the foundation has been a leader in the borough's cultural and economic revitalization. Through its support of programs such as the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest, the Independence Community Foundation has significantly aided BBG in fulfillment of its educational and horticultural missions.
The first Better Earth Award was given to Francis H. Cabot, founder of the Garden Conservancy, for his commitment to garden preservation. Recent recipients include Betsy Barlow Rodgers, founding president of the Central Park Conservancy and internationally recognized landscape preservationist; Will Rogers and the Trust for Public Land, for their work to preserve green space nationwide; Judy Zuk, former president of Brooklyn Botanic Garden; and Paul Lawrence, CEO of HSBC, for the bank's global environmental initiatives.
The Spring Gala raises essential operating support for BBG's internationally recognized collections and programs while helping the Garden remain one of New York's most precious green spaces.
About the Independence Community Foundation
The Independence Community Foundation was created in 1998 with a commitment to strengthening neighborhoods by joining with community partners to build affordable housing, create jobs, and provide cultural and educational enrichment. For more information about the Foundation and its work call 718-722-2300 or go to its website, www.ICFNY.org.