William Penn Life, 2002 (37. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
2002-07-01 / 7. szám
America the Beautiful Fund Helping to preserve and restore the natural wonders of our nation FOR OVER 200 YEARS, the natural resources of America have been rewarding us with a rich and wondrous life. And the breathtaking beauty of the land itself may be the most wondrous reward of all. But the beauty that was once common across our land is slowly disappearing. In many parts of our country, the land can no longer be recognized for what it once was. That's why, in 1965, the America the Beautiful Fund was founded for the preservation and restoration of the natural wonders of America. The America the Beautiful Fund now provides support and direction to volunteer community projects in all 50 states operating as a clearinghouse of ideas for thousands of community projects and as a catalyst for new ones. ABF now draws on over a third of a century of experience, knowing what works and what does not work. Started in 1965 as a national nonprofit organization, ABF has developed more than 50,000 citizen initiated volunteer projects. These programs are supported through ABF's Operation Green Plant, Rediscover America, and American Landscapes programs. Through the Rediscover America programs, ABF has been able to preserve an increasing number of landmarks and historical architecture in cities like Charleston, S.C., San Luis Charity Links For more information about the America the Beautiful Fund and how you and your branch can become involved in its efforts, log onto their website at: O www.freeseeds.org Obispo, Calif., and Cape May, N.J. ABF has help protect the historic district in Annapolis, Md., kept alive the oldest existing farm in New York City, saved the lighthouse in San Pedro, Calif., and restored the crafts colony of Rugby, Term. ABF's American Landscapes program helps to preserve national treasures of ecology. It has safeguarded the Bull Run Mountains in Virginia, and restored 365 acres of biologically diverse grasslands in Aurora, Neb. It has also reached out to preserve river valleys, wetlands, and farmscapes. In fact, the initiative to create an artist-in-residence program in the Delaware Water Gap led tp that area being designated a National Park. ABF programs reach urban communities, too. They have helped to found greenmarkets in large cities, and to restore culturally diverse neighborhoods, like Little Italy in Jersey City and Chinatown in New York City. ABF's fight against hunger continues with Operation Green Plant, a program that distributes seeds to community projects. Through these projects, neighborhoods are able to create community gardens, feed themselves and their neighbors, and beautify their surroundings. Jjyjjj] Joining Hands Volunteers both young and young-at-heart from Branch 18 Lincoln Park, Mich., spent June 15 at the Wayne County Family Center as part of the third annual observance of Join Hands Day. Our fraternal volunteers installed a fence, planted flowers and performed other jobs which made the center a more welcoming place for the homeless and abused of the community. 6 William Penn Life, July 2002
